2024 Wedding Trends & Info
The team at easyweddings.com.au have just issued their annual wedding industry report and there’s some inf you should know about if you are in the process of planning a wedding in the next 12-18 months.
Out of the estimated 134,000+ marriages in Australia across 2023, the average cost of a wedding in Australia is $33,810, with couples budgeting to originally spend around $27,652. So the moral of the story here is to always plan to go 15% over your budget - in other words, build another 15% into your budget for overspends that will occur, so that you’re not scrambling to find the $$$ when the time comes. Couples marrying for the second/subsequent time spend almost half as much.
Despite cost of living concerns, the majority of couples (60%) do not want to delay getting married and are accommodating for cost of living concerns by reducing their wedding budget – either by guest numbers, cost per head, other elements of the wedding, or all of the above. Of the one-third of couples who extended their engagement to afford their wedding (33%), 2 in 5 extended by a full year (40%), followed by more than 1 in 5 extending by 6 months (23%).
Of the couples who answered “other”, some regret not eloping, while others would have extended their engagement but already locked in a date with their venue. Some couples brought their wedding date forward to get ahead of further price rises.
As economic factors continue to impact couples, and the marrying age continues to climb, we expect the engagement period to be extended beyond its current 22 months next year.
While supplier costs have increased and couples are spending more on individual services, some suppliers are not receiving the volume of bookings they had in previous years. Budget-conscious couples are scaling back their spending by forgoing some elements or turning to DIY options to meet budget constraints and combat cost of living pressures.
With cost-of-living concerns reducing budgets of almost 4 in 5 couples (79% – up from 65% last year), it's plain to see why sticking to a budget is their number one stressor. How many guests a couple can afford to invite feeds directly into guest list concerns
at number two. Couples wish to invite an average of 30 guests more than they actually do — reducing numbers is a necessary
and obviously stressful part of the process. While the task list is daunting and stressful for couples in the thick of planning, for married couples reflecting back on the process, dealing with family is more stressful than keeping up with tasks or finding reliable suppliers. Couples who answered “other” cited finding a venue and not knowing where to start as their main stressors.
In 2019, the average couple was a 28-year-old bride and 29-year-old groom. While the marrying age of couples followed an upward trend for many years, contributed to by COVID postponements during 2020-2022, cost of living pressures have now impacted engagement lengths, and extended marrying ages further as a result. A third of couples (33%) are having a longer engagement due to budget concerns.
On average, couples will have 89 people at their wedding - but wish they could have 119. There will be 8-10 people in their wedding party including themselves. Will have been engaged 22 months before their big day and will spend $5,700 on an engagement ring.
It’s good to see that couples are still meeting the old fashioned way - online!
Cash in a wishing well remains the most popular gift request from marrying couples, with 84% having a wishing well on its own or combined with a gift registry. The average cost of a wedding gift has come down by an average of $14 for close friends and family, but has increased by almost the same ($13) for couples outside their immediate circle. When it comes to close friends and family, guests will spend an extra $90 more on a wedding gift.
Make the most of additional weekend capacity for weddings in March, June, August, and November in 2024, as these months have five Saturdays.
Wedding Themes & Styles
In 2024, Rustic dominates weddings, followed by Modern/Minimalist and Soft Romantic styles. Classic/Traditional is fourth, and Beach weddings edge out Bohemian for fifth.
So there you have it. That’s what is going on with couples planning and choosing how they will make their big day special. Thanks to Matt Butterworth and the team at easyweddings.com.au for asking all the couples in the first place.
Steve Mummery is a celebrant based in Perth
You can find him online at smcelebrant.com.au or facebook at smcelebrant, Instagram @smcelebrant or you can find lots of wedding inspiration on his Pinterest page @smcelebrant including wedding & engagement rings, dresses, shoes, groom's attire, flowers, arbours, the lot.
Call Steve to chat about your wedding ceremony today on 0418 897 215 or email steve@smcelebrant.com.au