Yahoo Lifestyle 
This is how much Aussie weddings cost in 2019
The average wedding day is setting couples back over $50,000, and the price tag is only growing according to new research by Wedded Wonderland.
People say marriage is hard, but even just getting there seems impossible. The numbers show costs are rising on every front with a total increase of almost 4% from 2018-2019.
The survey shows that while money-wise couples are managing to spend less, indulgent couples are splashing out bigger and bolder.
“Budget weddings are sitting at the 10-20k mark, whereas luxury spend is excessive of 100k,” says Wendy El-Khoury, founder of Wedded Wonderland.
Essentially the thrifty are getting thriftier and the excessive are getting wilder.
But where are couples haemorrhaging the most money? On all fronts as it turns out.
The Look
Every bride wants to look beautiful on her wedding day, but the lengths the average couple go to to achieve the look will bat an eye or two.
The overall cost of achieving the perfect look checks out at over $20,000.
The ring tops the costs at $11, 753, which experts say could be down to the rise of the #ringselfie Instagram craze.
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“Grooms are splurging on the engagement ring making this a priority in budget and spend,” says El-Khoury.
“We do think Instagram has something to do with the influence of size, colour, clarity, and proposal moments in general!”
The brides’ hair and makeup will set her back over $1000, while the groom comes under $2000 altogether.
The Day
As expected the event itself is the real money sucker, with the average couple coughing up over $30,000 for the day.
The hunt for the ideal venue has the average couple paying over $22,000, not to mention almost $7,000 for flowers and styling.
Even telling people about the big day will lighten your pockets; invites cost on average $784, and getting a celebrant for the all important ‘I do’ will cost over $700.
It turns out when a bride and groom implore their guests to ‘have a great night’, they really, really mean it.
The Memories
It’s 2019 and snapping the memory has almost overtaken enjoying the moment, so it’s no wonder that just capturing the special day racks up a significant cost.
Couples who opt for both video and photography are looking at a price tag of $7,477. No wonder they’re spending so much to look perfect for the camera!
The Getaway
A bride’s imperative is to be late, but she’s probably just making the most of the transport couples are forking out over $1000 for.
This is surprising given that the survey also found 36% caught an Uber/taxi or drove themselves to their wedding. I mean you’ve got to be careful of surge prices but still…
Those that opt for a honeymoon are looking at just over $10,000, which given the other costs almost seems like a cheap holiday at this point.
Looks like a lot of future couples will be tightening the draw strings, or looking into cheap getaways for a sneaky elope.
Cheers to that.
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