How to Plan a Wedding in Australia: The Right Order That Saves You Thousands
By Robert James, founder of Ever After Weddings — Australia's free wedding venue & vendor directory. Most couples plan their wedding in the wrong order — and it quietly costs them thousands. They fall for a dress, a venue, or a Pinterest board first, then discover the budget, the guest list and the date don't fit together. Here's the whole process in the order that actually works. 1. Start with the money conversation The average Australian wedding costs around $35,000, and most couples spend about a year planning it. Yours doesn't have to cost that much — but you need your number before you book anything. Sit down together, agree what you can spend and who's contributing, and pick your three non-negotiables: the things you'd protect if money got tight. Something always has to give, so decide now what won't. 2. Draft the guest list — before the venue Almost everything at a wedding is priced per head: food, drinks, chairs, favours. Cutting twent...