29/09/2026
As a wedding planner here’s exactly how I’d allocate your budget -
Wedding Budget: $55,000 (80-86 guests)
45% - Venue (hire, food & drink packages) = $24,750
16% - Photo/Video = $8,800
16% - HMU, dress & accessories = $8,800
12% - Entertainment = $6,400
8% - Florals & styling $4,400
3% - On the Day Coordinator $1,850
Now… Let’s break down where every dollar actually went❗️:
1️⃣ 45% Venue + Food + Drinks: are the biggest expense for most Australian weddings (reality check: nearly half your budget often ends up here)
2️⃣ 16% Photo + Video: The day lasts 12 hours. The memories last forever… so this is usually one of the hardest categories to compromise on
3️⃣ 16% Hair, Makeup, Dress & Accessories The wedding look isn’t just the dress; think alterations, veil, shoes, jewellery, hair, make-up (little extras add up fast!)
4️⃣ 12% Entertainment: DJ, live music or both. The one thing your guests notice immediately 👉 Is the dance floor packed?
5️⃣ 8% Florals, Styling & Decor: Think bouquets, ceremony flowers, centrepieces, installations. Beautiful? Yes. Disposable? Also yes… This is often the category couples underestimate most!
6️⃣ 3% Wedding Coordinator: The smallest spend, but often the biggest stress-saver, having someone manage the suppliers, timelines, family questions and the hundreds of tiny things that pop up on the day.
Disclaimer: things this budget DIDN’T include 👀
❌ Bridal Party dress and accessories
❌ Wedding rings
❌ Tanning, nails, beauty appointments
… Your budget, your guest list and ultimately, what you want your wedding day to look and feel like will impact how and where you get the best bang for buck! (which is why we always talk through creating a wedding that best suits you both; establishing your priorities as the building blocks for your wedding day!)
