New South Wales is the most popular state for weddings in Australia. And who could argue with that when you have so many amazing natural and man-made landscapes to use as the backdrop for your big day?
What is the Average Wedding Cost in Sydney?
NSW has a big luxury wedding market, making it one of the more expensive states to marry in. In fact, the average couple in NSW will spend around $38566 on their perfect wedding compared to the national average of $35315.
So whether you’re having a luxurious Sydney Harbour wedding, a boho beach ceremony in Byron Bay, or a rustic dream wedding in the Blue Mountains, we’ve broken down where you should start your budget for each service you could hire.
Our NSW Wedding Cost Breakdown
In our Annual Wedding Industry Report, we’ve surveyed over 4000 couples to give you accurate data to answer the question, “How much does a wedding cost in Sydney?”
Wedding Venues
With 92% of couples hiring a NSW wedding venue on their big day, it’s one of the most popular categories. It’s also one of the first things you’ll book and the category that will take up the most of your budget.
Don’t let this alarm you, though. The average wedding venue cost in NSW works out at $16881, coming in above the national average of $15987. This makes up on average 45% of the total wedding spend, with an average guest count of 88.
Wedding Dresses
The cost of a wedding dress in NSW sits at $2919 compared to the national average of $2502.
If you feel silly for wanting to hold onto your wedding dress to cherish for years to come, don’t worry, you’re not alone! 69% of brides choose to keep their gowns long after the wedding day — some even make small and large alterations to suit their taste better.
Your wedding dress cost will be influenced by factors like designer, fabric, detail, and necessary alterations.
Photography
When it comes to capturing your wedding day, you want to make sure you’re doing it right. This is why 90% of Australian couples hire a professional wedding photographer.
The average wedding photographer cost in Sydney is $3805. While 49% of couples desire a combination of both traditionally posed and candid shots, a further 45% prefer solely candid, natural images.
Marriage Celebrants
Your marriage celebrant has more of a role to play than just rocking up on the day. They sign your paperwork, lodge your marriage certificate, and support you throughout the entire planning process. It’s, therefore, essential to choose someone you feel comfortable around and know has your back.
Your wedding celebrant cost should sit around $925 in NSW. If you’re looking for a more personalised and detailed service, this will likely cost you more. Approximately 50% of couples prefer a warm celebrant style, while 25% prefer funny. Keep an eye out for your favourite qualities while searching for your ideal celebrant.
Wedding Cars
Arriving in style with a charismatic chauffeur to ease your nerves, whether in one classic vintage car or a fleet of four modern vehicles, is a popular notion, with almost 40% of couples across Australia hiring transportation for their day.
The average cost of wedding cars in NSW comes in at $1615 above the national average of $1192. 38% of couples will hire just one car for their wedding day, while a further 38% prefer two. It’s wise to factor in the size of the cars for the size of your wedding party to see where you can save costs.
Your wedding car cost will be influenced by by factors such as the type of vehicle, rental duration, and distance traveled.
Videography
Having a wedding video is becoming more and more important to couples across the country, with 73% of all couples now hiring a videographer to capture the special moments of their day — 78% of whom will hire a professional videographer.
Couples in New South Wales are embracing their videographers, with wedding videographer costs averaging $3735 compared to the national average of $2977. 64% of couples will receive two versions of their wedding video — a long and a short edit — while an additional 19% expect three cuts.
Catering
Whether you’re having a sit-down dinner, buffet, or cocktail reception with finger food, you’re likely going to be paying for some of your wedding food. This could be included in your wedding venue package, or you might want to go with an external caterer who serves up your favourite treats.
The cost of wedding catering in NSW currently sits at $7782, significantly higher than the national average of $6308. Wedding catering costs can be managed by adjusting the menu, reducing guest numbers, or opting for a buffet style. For those seeking luxury options, consider gourmet plated meals, signature cocktails, and bespoke dessert stations to elevate the dining experience while still keeping portions and guest count in mind.
Wedding Hire
36% of couples are hiring furniture/styling props to spruce up their wedding day, many favouring companies offering full-service, including delivery, setup, and pickup. The current cost of wedding hire in NSW is around $1708, sitting well below the national average of $2421.
Wedding Music
71% of Australian couples are still choosing to hire professional wedding music for their big day, with DJ services being the most popular, followed by a band and DJ combo.
The average wedding music cost in NSW sits at an average of $1984.
Formal Wear
Choosing formal wear is key for a classy wedding day (or whatever style of wedding you choose!). Whether it’s a tuxedo, a collection of suits, or that perfectly tailored design, you’re looking at spending an average of $2413 for your formal wear in NSW.
Decorations
With 69% of couples turning to Pinterest and Instagram for decor inspiration wedding decorations are becoming increasingly popular. 38% of couples will hire decorations, and 42% will have a combination of hired, bought, and homemade props.
You can expect to spend around $2112 on your decorations in Sydney or NSW.
Bridesmaid Dresses
The average wedding party is made up of eight to ten people. Usually, this means that three bridesmaids are involved on the big day. In New South Wales, in particular, we’re seeing more couples investing in what their bridal party is wearing. 41% opt for matching gowns, while 35% prefer the same colour but different style to suit each bridesmaid better.
The average spend on bridesmaids dresses in NSW is $555.
Wedding Invitations
Wedding invitations in NSW will cost you an average of $899. But that’s just for the invitations. Remember to factor in the additional charge of stamps and postage when you’re inviting people to your big day! Love additional invitation add-ons? So do we! Just be consiouc that optional extras like foil or embossing will raise the total wedding invitation cost.
Wedding Cakes
With 69% of couples opting for a professional cake maker, it’s obvious that your wedding cake is one of the most delicious purchases you’ll be making.
The cost of wedding cakes in NSW is sitting at $639. 74% of couples are planning to serve small cake slices at their wedding, while 26% of couples will be dishing out full portions of the sweet stuff!
Wedding Flowers
Florals and greenery have become much more popular as styling elements over the last few years, so it’s no wonder we’ve seen a price rise across the board. Rather than just choosing flowers for their bouquets, more and more couples are incorporating leafy greens and foliage into their wedding decor, which often costs the same amount as blooms do.
The average cost of wedding flowers in NSW is $2962, with 53% of couples opting for real, fresh blooms over artificial flowers or a mix of real and faux. Your wedding flowers cost will change depending on the types of blooms, the season, the size of arrangements, and the complexity of the floral designs.
Photo Booths
Photo booths, whether traditional or unique, have been gaining traction, with just over half of couples incorporating them into their wedding days for an interactive form of entertainment.
It should cost you around $992 to hire a photo booth in NSW.
Hair and Makeup
NSW couples should budget around $986 for hair and makeup.
The most popular makeup look with brides is nude/natural with 60% of brides indicating this is the look for them. 90% of brides will have a hair and makeup trial to make sure their glam is 100% what they want for their romantic celebration.
When it comes to hair 34% of brides favour Hollywood waves, while 27% favour the textured low bun. Your wedding hair and makeup cost will change depending on factors like the artist’s experience, the complexity of the look, and whether you require touch-ups or additional services for your bridal party.
Bomboniere
Last but not least are your bomboniere or wedding favours. 70% of couples still love this tradition of thanking their guests with a little something special. 22% opt for edible gifts, while 30% prefer personalised items. Wedding bomboniere costs average $1369 in NSW.
How to save on wedding costs in NSW?
- Explore wedding supplier packages. Easy Weddings offers wedding supplier packages in Sydney that bundle services like photography, florals, and catering, tailored to the needs of NSW couples. By booking these packages, you can streamline planning and save on individual supplier costs.
- Consider alternative days. In busy cities like Sydney, weekend weddings can be costly. Opt for a weekday, such as a Thursday or Sunday, to take advantage of discounts many NSW venues and vendors offer for non-peak days. This could help you save thousands on venue hire alone.
- Seasonal savings. NSW wedding venues in coastal areas like the Hunter Valley or Byron Bay are often more affordable in winter or early spring. These cooler months also make it easier for guests and vendors to manage the climate, plus venues are more available.
- Rural venue options. NSW is home to stunning rural wedding locations, from Southern Highlands estates to outback farm venues in Orange or Mudgee. Rural venues tend to be more cost-effective compared to Sydney or regional hubs, while still offering gorgeous backdrops for your big day.
- Bundle accommodation. Many NSW rural venues offer on-site accommodation, which can often be included in the venue package, saving you and your guests on accommodation costs while making your wedding weekend more convenient.
- DIY vs planning services. In NSW, opting for DIY planning gives you control over budget and personal touches. That said wedding planner costs can be offset by the savings you’ll make with their organisational skills and industry connections. On-the-day planning services can be a cost-effective middle ground for managing the event without full-time support.
