Venue for Wedding Melbourne

How Much Does A Wedding Cost For 150 Guests?

Most people wish to commemorate their wedding as a significant life event.

It's no secret that weddings can get very expensive very fast, and that opinion holds whether you think no expense should be spent on your big day or think weddings are a complete rip-off.

It's commonly believed that any service you book for a wedding will automatically increase in price as soon as the word "wedding" is heard.

Melbourne's Most Affordable Wedding Venue (8)

The "wedding tax" refers to the practise of charging much more for wedding-related services.

Getting married isn't  and it also doesn't come cheap.

Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding in 2019 was $33,900 (not including the cost of the engagement ring, ceremony, or reception).

The Knot, a well-known wedding planning website, estimates that the national average cost of a wedding at $30,000 for the United States.

$30,000!

A great new car could be purchased with that kind of money, or a 20% down payment could be made on a home costing $150,000. It's also greater than the average annual salary in the United States.

The spiralling cost of weddings has puzzled many. And what measures may you take to save expenditures when it is your turn to exchange vows? Since your getting married in a little over three months, we've given this a lot of thought. This is what we discovered.

, like most people we know, have said things like "We don't want a large wedding" and "It doesn't have to cost much" in reference to our upcoming nuptials.

The problem is that once you start preparing for the big day, the expenses start piling up quickly. Although it may be seen as hypocritical, the future spouses often have little say in how their weddings are planned or how much they end up costing. An old saying goes that the focus of the ceremony should not be on the couple who is getting married. In the end, it comes down to the loved ones they have left behind. Someone else may force you to spend more than you'd want on a reception venue, musical entertainment, catered meals, alcoholic beverages, and the like, even if you don't want to.

It is possible to overspend on a wedding even if you are extremely careful with every choice and expense. You'll need rings, attire, and an officiant if you don't want to get married at city hall. When you factor in the expense of a photographer, enough food for even a small number of guests, and a party, you'll easily spend more than $1,000. The expenses will increase with the number of invited guests.

The majority of wedding expenses were taken care of by the families. That's great, because the vast majority of our 160 (count 'em) guests are relatives. We probably would have kept it to 40 close relatives and friends if we had to pay for it ourselves.

However, we did incur some large out-of-pocket expenses for the wedding. We footed the bill for everything from the rings and gowns to the invitations and music. (We thought the latter two were non-essential, but included them anyway.) There will, of course, be more expenses later on.

In light of our findings and preparations, the national median wedding cost of $29,000 makes perfect sense. Here's a sampling of wedding expenses to consider. (This isn't a representation of our wedding, and it doesn't come close to the national average of $30,000, but you can see how things pile up.)

  • Church/Officiant Fee
  • Reception Site Rental
  • Food: $40/plate x 100 
  • Photographer
  • DJ or Band
  • Flowers: 
  • Cake
  • Rings 
  • Dress/Tux
  • Open Bar

Even though this isn't for a cheap wedding, it's probably about average for a wedding with 100 guests. As you can see, the costs listed above might range widely depending on your decisions. It's not uncommon for brides to spend thousands on just the dress.

The True Price of Your Dream Wedding, Including All the Extras

The average cost of a wedding is estimated to be considerably above $10,000. The average cost of a wedding is estimated at $25,764 by costofwedding.com, while it is $33,391 by The Knot. According to The Knot, the average wedding had between 100 and 150 guests.

The total amount you'll spend on your wedding will depend heavily on personal choices.

To acquire a ballpark figure for how much your dream wedding would cost, you can utilise any number of handy internet calculators. The helpful cost estimator at costofwedding.com is one choice. What follows is an example of the types of costs it predicts for a couple from Springfield, Illinois, who are hosting a wedding and reception at a hotel for a hundred guests.

Getting married in the traditional sense can be very expensive. The aforementioned lists, however, can assist you identify potential areas of savings. You may save hundreds of dollars by forgoing expensive hair and cosmetic treatments, for instance. Another option is to have a professional photographer friend or family member capture your wedding as a gift.

You can also save a lot of money by rethinking where you want to have your wedding. For instance, if both you and your future spouse's families are from California, but the wedding will be significantly less if it's held in Utah, you might want to consider having the ceremony there.

So, how much does a wedding typically run? In 2020, the average Australian couple spent $27,228 on their wedding day, as reported by our annual survey of more than 4,000 couples. On the other hand, they have considerably more modest expectations for their initial budget. The average cost of a wedding in 2020 is expected to be $28,000, down from $32,000 in prior years due to a predicted rise in the number of weddings with lower price tags.

The Average Starting Point For a Wedding Budget

Naturally, you and your situation will always be the determining factors in your budget. However, looking back at wedding traditions from the past might serve as a helpful reference.  60% of couples would ask their parents for financial help, while 39% will pay for their wedding on their own. Only eight percent of engaged couples won't hesitate to use credit or a loan to pay for their wedding.

It's important to remember that 2020 was an outlier year, with many typical expenses changing due to factors including guest list restrictions and a rise in outdoor weddings. When feasible, we've pointed out these shifts so that your 2021 or 2022 nuptials go down without a hitch.

In 2009, only seven short years ago, the average cost of a wedding in Australia was slightly over $25,000. A small increase in 2014 brought it up to around $29,000. Our research indicates that the typical cost of a wedding in Australia in 2016 is about $30,400. Although it's easy to attribute the recent uptick in wedding expenditures to general price increases, most people are aware that this isn't the case.

The concept of a wedding has changed throughout the years, and this must be taken into account while analysing the rising expense of weddings. It seems like every couple these days is attempting to top the other with the most elaborate decorations and service providers for their wedding reception. The days of an intimate wedding ceremony at church followed by a party with close relatives and friends are long gone. Instead, the focus is on who can give the most spectacular and expensive bash.

Consider the recent split between Salim Mehajer, a councilman in Auburn, and his ex-wife Aysha. The groom and his groomsmen arrived at the ceremony in a helicopter and a fleet of $50 million worth of expensive sports vehicles, and the happy couple rented a jet to soar above the city with a "congratulations" sign attached to its tail. This, together with the flower-covered walls, pyrotechnics, and performances by Australian celebrities, raised the bar for weddings in Australia (and probably skewed the average costs as well).

Places for Weddings

The location of your event should be the first consideration when making a financial plan. Australia has an average cost of $14,705 for a wedding location. This equates to an average of $156 per person across the country.

On average, couples spend between 40 and 50 percent of their wedding money on the location of the ceremony and reception. Setting a date and a reasonable budget for the wedding are two of the first things you should do after deciding to get married.

Participants in Wedding Ceremonies

Following the venue, the wedding officiant is typically the next service that couples reserve. Only by hiring a celebrant can you ensure that your wedding day is more than just a bash.

To hire a marriage celebrant in Australia would set you back about $780. However, a wide variety of rituals exist. The cost of a ceremony might rise to over a thousand dollars if you want a lengthy, individualised event.

Getting legally married requires a celebrant, thus it's important to choose a reliable vendor.

Photography

Professional photography services are a must for any major life event, and weddings are no exception. The majority of newlyweds (98%) will hire a professional photographer to document their special day. Typically, hiring a photographer will set you back $3,005. More and more engaged couples are eschewing conventional, posed photos in favour of more relaxed, natural ones.

In most cases, hiring a professional photographer is an investment worth making. After all, it's nice to have a way to relive the special moments of your wedding day through photographs years from now. It's little wonder therefore that a single day of photography for an Australian wedding costs approximately $4,000. This may or may not include full-day coverage, and if you want a second photographer for the best possible coverage, you'll likely have to pay considerably more.

Dresses for Weddings

The wedding dress is typically the most expensive piece of apparel a woman will ever purchase. An estimated $2,320 is allotted annually for the wedding outfit.

About a quarter of brides, though, don't mind spending as much as they want on their gown. They won't care about the price tag if it's the perfect dress.

Flowers for the Wedding

Having flowers designed just for your wedding can help set the tone and mood for the entire event. A bouquet of flowers might set you back anywhere from $1,940 to $5,000. Perhaps you have traditional flower arrangements like a bouquet and buttonholes in mind. You may also jazz up the event with a beautiful floral arbour, elaborate cake decorations, or eye-catching table centrepieces.

Entertainment

Nowadays, it's more vital than ever to keep wedding guests entertained, so it's no surprise that couples spend close to $3,000 on average on wedding-day entertainment. Fun entertainment options range from the standard DJ service to a live band and even a photo booth for the guests to enjoy.

Put Away Money for Your Big Day

Determine how much you will need to save up for the wedding once you have an estimate of how much money you have to spend.

Your chances of falling into debt decrease in proportion to the amount of time and money you devote to saving.

Discouraged by sky-high wedding expenses? There are ways to save costs that won't compromise the experience for your customers, and that's excellent news.

Think of having both the ceremony and the reception at the same location. This will not only save you money on venue charges but also on the travel expenses of you and your guests.

If you're worried about the price of the meal, drinks, and the location, talk to the caterer about the possibility of having a buffet instead of a plated meal. It's a win-win situation: your guests can eat as much as they want without breaking the bank. If you're willing to be flexible with your wedding date, you can save money by having it on a Friday or Sunday instead of a Saturday, when most venues charge less for rentals and caterers have lower minimum orders.

Last but not least, pare down the extras that aren't necessary to the overall satisfaction of your guests. Could you replace some genuine flowers with silk ones, for instance, to reduce expenses?

There is no denying the fact that weddings are a hefty financial commitment. You can simply prioritise your expenditures and avoid going overboard on your big day if you and your partner consider what is most essential to you as a pair.

When Budgeting For Your Wedding, be Sure to Account For Any Unforeseen Expenses.

wedding on beach

It's important to remember that no matter how meticulously you plan and budget for your wedding, there will inevitably be certain costs that you overlook. Here are some expenses that the bride and groom might not have anticipated:

  • License to wed
  • Invitations with a "Save the Date" message
  • Alterations to wedding dresses sent via mail
  • A tent-mounted dance floor
  • Provisioning the wedding staff with a meal
  • Favors and gifts for attendees Suggestions for vendors like caterers
  • Costs associated with working overtime (e.g., if you have your band or photographer work longer than planned)

The price of a marriage licence might range from a few dollars to a hundred or more. It may not seem like much, but if you send out 200 save-the-date cards, 200 invitations, and 200 RSVP cards, you'll be looking at a $300 postage bill. (You can reduce that if you utilise email for your save-the-date announcements and postcards for your RSVPs.) The cost of renting a tent with a dance floor installed might rise to $400 or more. Bags of wedding favours (candy or candles, for example) for 100 guests at $5 apiece is an unexpected $500 expense.

While you're arranging the wedding, take a mental trip through the entire event. Doing so will help you prevent any unwelcome shocks down the road.

Conclusion

Wedlock in 2019 averaged $33,900, according to the National Wedding Project (not including the cost of the engagement ring, ceremony, or reception). That could get you a brand new car or 20% of a $150,000 home. Even the most frugal couple could end up spending too much on their wedding. It makes perfect sense that the national median wedding cost would be $29,000. Costofwedding.com puts the average cost of a wedding at $25,764, while The Knot puts it at $33,391.

In 2020, a wedding in Australia cost a typical couple $27,228. By 2020, the typical couple can anticipate spending $28,000 on their nuptials. Sixty percent of engaged couples plan to ask their parents for financial assistance, while 39 percent plan to foot the entire bill independently. Nowadays, bride and grooms compete with one another to see who can hire the most expensive and elaborate wedding vendors. The national average for a wedding venue in Australia is $14,705.

The vast majority of couples getting married today (98%), for example, will employ the services of a professional photographer to capture their wedding day. Photographers in Australia charge about $4,000 for a single wedding day. On average, newlyweds spend about $3,000 on music and other performances for their reception. If you can, have the ceremony and reception at the same venue to cut down on costs. Discuss the possibility of a buffet with the caterer if you're concerned about the total cost of the meal, drinks, and venue. If you're flexible with your wedding date, a weekend day like a Friday or Sunday will save you a lot of money.

Content Summary

  • It's no secret that weddings can get very expensive very fast, and that opinion holds whether you think no expense should be spent on your big day or think weddings are a complete rip-off.
  • Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding in 2019 was $33,900 (not including the cost of the engagement ring, ceremony, or reception).The Knot, a well-known wedding planning website, estimates that the national average cost of a wedding at $30,000 for the United States.$30,000!A great new car could be purchased with that kind of money, or a 20% down payment could be made on a home costing $150,000.
  • In light of our findings and preparations, the national median wedding cost of $29,000 makes perfect sense.
  • You can also save a lot of money by rethinking where you want to have your wedding.
  • The average cost of a wedding in 2020 is expected to be $28,000, down from $32,000 in prior years due to a predicted rise in the number of weddings with lower price tags.
  • However, looking back at wedding traditions from the past might serve as a helpful reference.
  • Australia has an average cost of $14,705 for a wedding location.
  • On average, couples spend between 40 and 50 percent of their wedding money on the location of the ceremony and reception.
  • Setting a date and a reasonable budget for the wedding are two of the first things you should do after deciding to get married.
  • To hire a marriage celebrant in Australia would set you back about $780.
  • Flowers for the WeddingHaving flowers designed just for your wedding can help set the tone and mood for the entire event.
  • Determine how much you will need to save up for the wedding once you have an estimate of how much money you have to spend.
  • If you're worried about the price of the meal, drinks, and the location, talk to the caterer about the possibility of having a buffet instead of a plated meal.
  • It's important to remember that no matter how meticulously you plan and budget for your wedding, there will inevitably be certain costs that you overlook.

FAQ's About Wedding Cost

As a general rule, plan to budget at least $100 per guest. If you're planning a wedding on a budget, one of the easiest ways to reduce costs is to invite fewer people and have a more intimate celebration.

The average cost of a wedding in the US was $28,000 in 2019, according to data from The Knot. The venue is the single most expensive part, at an average of $10,000 alone. Rings, photographers, and videographers are the next largest expenses.

  1. Set a realistic budget. 
  2. Ask family and friends to chip in (when appropriate) 
  3. Save during your engagement. 
  4. Pick up a temporary side hustle. 
  5. Cut costs on lower-priority items. 
  6. Take advantage of credit card rewards.
  7. Consider a personal loan.

The Bride. Traditionally, the bride is only solely responsible for paying for the groom's wedding band and wedding gifts for her bridesmaids. However, there are many wedding costs (everything from a coordinator to flowers and décor) that are often shared between the bride and her family.

According to the WeddingWire Newlywed Report, parents pay for 52% of wedding expenses, while the couple pays for 47% (the remaining 1% is paid for by other loved ones)—so parents are still paying for a majority of the wedding, though couples are chipping in fairly significantly.

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