How much does a wedding cost in Australia in 2025?

You’ve locked in the “yes” - now comes the budget.

Weddings might be a day dedicated to love, but let’s be honest: they’re also one of the biggest (and most emotional) expenses many couples will ever take on. In 2025, wedding costs are climbing fast, with “little extras” like florals, favours, and cakeage fees often catching couples off guard.

Curious about the average cost of a wedding in Australia? We sat down with Bec Page (marriage celebrant and wedding ceremony expert) and Sendy Raymond (owner of boutique destination wedding planning company, Your Bali Wedding) to uncover how much couples are paying in 2025.

To help you proactively budget for your big day, we’ve broken down what an Aussie wedding really costs, from average price tags to the sneaky charges and fees that can take many couples by surprise, along with practical tips to help you navigate the costs of a wedding in 2025.

Average wedding costs in Australia

In 2025, the average wedding in Australia costs around $36,000. That number can stretch higher or lower depending on the size, location, and style of the celebration, but for most couples, it covers the essentials:

• Venue hire
• Food and beverage packages
• Photography and videography
• Wedding outfits and alterations
• Flowers and styling
• Celebrant or officiant
• Entertainment or DJ
• Invitations and signage
• Transport
• Hair and makeup
• Wedding cake
• Rings
• Accommodation

However, Sendy Raymond explains that many of the couples she works with are spending significantly more than this average price tag.

“As a destination wedding planner, I work with couples worldwide to create bespoke wedding experiences, and I've seen firsthand how wedding budgets are evolving in 2025. Couples are spending anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 on average, depending on the location, guest count, and the level of personalisation they seek,” Sendy shares.

Bec Page echoes this sentiment, explaining that the cost of a wedding in 2025 is very dependent on the kind of celebration the couple has in mind.

“I work with couples with budgets of all sizes: low-budget weekday microweddings, legals-only paperwork signings for visas, and full-scale, boujee big budget weddings on private estates in the Hunter Valley. Costs for these celebrations can vary greatly: I'm talking from $600 to over $100,000.” — Bec Page

What impacts the cost of a wedding?

No two weddings are the same, nor are the price tags. The biggest costs usually come down to your guest list, venue, catering, styling, and how much you want to DIY versus outsource.

But as celebrant Bec Page puts it, even the smallest decisions can snowball. “Couples start with a blank slate and Pinterest dreams, but quickly discover that every detail has a price tag … together, it can hit like a ton of rose petals.”

Travel and accommodation are often overlooked, too, especially if your wedding is out of town.

“Couples may overlook the cost of flights, transportation, and lodging for their wedding party, especially if it’s a destination wedding.” — Sendy Raymond

Both experts agree that the key is being intentional. Pick your non-negotiables early - whether it’s the food, music, or photos - and shape the budget around that. Everything else is extra. And if you’re thinking of going full DIY to save money? Just be careful it doesn’t end up costing more in stress and last-minute fixes.

As Bec explains:

“The wedding budget can quickly get blown out by an emotional attachment to things like florals that are out of season or a dress that needs several rounds of alterations; or not accounting for the hours it will take to set up and pack down a venue space or even extra hours in a hotel room for bridal preparation with hair and makeup.” — Bec Page

How much does it cost to be part of a bridal party?

Being asked to join a bridal party is an honour, but it often comes with a significant investment. From multiple outfits to travel to bridal showers, the costs can stack up fast.

Most members of the bridal party will pay for their own attire, which can include a dress or suit, shoes, and accessories, as well as sometimes even alterations. Then there’s professional hair and makeup, which may or may not be covered by the couple.

Add in pre-wedding events like hens or bucks nights, accommodation, transport, and the expectation of a thoughtful gift, and it’s not unusual to spend over $1,000 to $2,000 as a bridesmaid or groomsman.

Sendy notes that travel and accommodation are commonly overlooked by couples when budgeting for their bridal party, especially for destination weddings. “Flights, transport, and overnight stays for close friends or family can add up quickly,” she explains. “It's important to be upfront about those expectations early.”

While couples might choose to cover some costs (or offer thank-you gifts), open communication is key. Setting clear expectations early can help everyone plan ahead and enjoy the day without worrying about the final bill.

Hidden or unexpected wedding costs

No matter how well you plan, weddings have a way of throwing financial curveballs. Beyond the big-ticket items, such as venues, outfits, and catering, there are a host of smaller, less obvious expenses that can quietly creep in and quickly add up.

Think corkage fees for BYO alcohol, or “cakeage” charges just to serve a cake you’ve bought yourself. Some venues also charge for extras, such as late bump-out times, additional security, early access to the space for styling, or even extra power for lighting and sound.

Then there are accommodation requirements. If your venue has on-site accommodation, you may be required to book a minimum number of rooms as part of the deal.

Stationery can be another unexpected blowout. Between invitations, RSVP cards, signage, menus, place cards, seating charts, and thank-you notes — printing and design costs can quickly add up, especially if you opt for custom options. The same goes for wedding party prep: hair and makeup for bridesmaids, grooming for groomsmen, robes or outfits, and thank-you gifts all count.

Sendy also highlights the last-minute touches that often go overlooked:

“Last-minute decor items, such as candles, personalised favours, or floral touches, can sneak into the budget, often adding up to a significant amount if not planned for in advance.” — Sendy Raymond

Another cost many couples forget? Wedding insurance. It might not feel essential at first, but if a vendor cancels, a weather event hits, or plans go sideways, it can be the safety net you didn’t know you needed.

The bottom line: expect the unexpected. Build some flexibility into your budget for all the sneaky add-ons. It’ll save you stress and give you room to enjoy the process without panicking over every receipt.

Tips for budgeting and planning ahead for the costs of a wedding

Weddings are emotional, memorable, and often expensive. But with a bit of forethought and flexibility, it’s possible to plan a day that feels both magical and manageable.

Bec shares that the best place to start is by getting crystal clear on your priorities.

“Start by asking: what actually matters to us? Is it a meaningful ceremony? A knock-out meal? Incredible photos? Choose two or three non-negotiables, research what they realistically cost, and shape your budget around them. Everything else is extra.” — Bec Page

Bec also stresses the importance of carefully considering your guest list. “The guest count is the biggest driver of cost. Every head means more food, drinks, furniture, and space. Invite people who matter to your marriage, not just your weekend party pals.”

And if you’re tempted to DIY everything? Proceed with caution. As Bec shares, “DIY can save money, but it also costs time, energy, and sometimes your sanity. Your time is a resource, so I recommend you budget for it.”

Sendy’s advice is similar: prioritise what matters most.

“Focus on the elements that will make the biggest impact, such as the venue, photography, and guest experience, and look for opportunities to cut costs in less significant areas.” — Sendy Raymond

The overall takeaway? A thoughtful plan will always beat a reactive one. Build in a buffer, ask for advice from experienced vendors, and remember: less is often more. Focus on the people and moments that matter - and the day will take care of itself.

Beyond the big day

Weddings are about more than just the big day; they’re about building a life together as a couple. While it’s easy to get caught up in the details (and the dollars), planning ahead isn’t just about budgets and guest lists; it’s also about protecting the future you’re creating.

Whether you’re saving for a honeymoon, buying a home, or starting a family, life insurance can help provide peace of mind for whatever comes next. Even though your wedding might be just one day, your life together is the real investment.

Compare a range of life insurance policies from its approved product list only with Choosi today, so you can say “I do” knowing you’re covered for whatever the future holds.