Destination wedding?

While the Australian wedding industry is going strong, more and more people are shelving their wedding plans and prioritising other more “practical” things, like getting a foot on the property ladder.

“My husband and I had talked about getting married for years but kept thinking of the expense, so instead, we bought houses, moved a few times and had our little girl,” Dawn says.

As a wedding industry “insider” (she’s worked as a wedding planner and hair & make-up artist for the past five years), Dawn knows all too well the cost of throwing a wedding and has just about ruled it out. That was until she came up with the idea of a destination wedding.

Dawn and her husband ended up getting married in Fiji this year. For approximately $10,000, they received ten nights in Fiji at an all-inclusive resort, flights, accommodation, food, wedding ceremony, beautiful set up of beach ceremony and outdoor decking reception area, resort wedding planner, celebrant, 3-course meal (steak or lobster seafood platter) for 57 guests, DJ/master of ceremonies and a photography package.” Wow!

“I can honestly say that even with my connections, I don’t think I could have had the wedding and honeymoon I had in Fiji for the same price in Australia,” Dawn reveals.

While a destination wedding was the best option for Dawn, with careful planning and a little know-how, she believes it’s still possible to have the wedding of your dreams in Australia for a modest budget.

“As a bride, there seems to be a general conception that people expect to pay more for weddings. But from my experience as a service provider, businesses only have the right to charge more if they’re providing a better service.”

For example, Dawn charges more for bridal makeup because it involves a higher quality of makeup (something that stays on all day and night), a trial and a considerable amount of travel. “This is significantly different to the hour or so I’d spend on formal makeup,” she reasons.

This price hike seems fair, but when it comes to the cost of other wedding services, many couples get the raw end of the deal. This is precisely the reason why so many brides (Dawn included) opt for a destination wedding.

While great for so many reasons (picture a pristine island paradise), a destination wedding isn’t for everyone – especially if you’re worried about excluding important family and friends.

Unfortunately, Dawn doesn’t see an end to inflated wedding prices any time soon. “Businesses will keep raising their prices to keep themselves competitive – no one wants to be seen as too cheap!

But if you’re hell-bent on getting married on home soil, there are still a number of steps you can take to keep costs down.

“Luckily, the Australian wedding industry is massive, and there is an abundance of venues, photographers, florists and hair & makeup artists to choose from, so you can really shop around and find the most competitive prices for your wedding,” she says.

It’s not always a case of “what you know” but “who you know,” and that’s where wedding planners can prove themselves invaluable. Most will have a network of service providers who can not only get you the best possible price but also get you the best possible service and value for your money.

But if you’re still struggling to come in under budget, you can always jet-set off for a destination wedding!
 

5 tips for keeping to your wedding budget:
 

Shop around – Get quotes and compare prices. You don’t always need to go with the cheapest, but look for the quote with the most value for money.  Also, look for free trials, discount offers, etc.

Look for small businesses – You will generally find that smaller businesses or individuals working from their homes will quote lower than shops. This is because they tend to have little or no overheads and can afford to be significantly less.  

Customise your packages – Don’t be afraid to negotiate with wedding service providers. Get them to quote up a package to suit you; you don’t always HAVE to go with the standard packages they are offering.

Get married on a Friday or Sunday – Generally, these days are less popular, and you can pretty much get your pick of the month. As they are less popular, sometimes you’ll even find venues are cheaper too!

Get friends & family involved – Instead of a gift list, ask for help. Ask family and friends if they would like to donate their time rather than their money, including help with table decorations, venue set up, flowers and hair & makeup.

Dawn Rose owns and runs her own hair & makeup and wedding planning business, Bridal Perfection.

Get Dawn or one of ServiceSeeking.com.au’s wedding planners to organise your destination wedding for you.