A new report has indicated a dramatic departure from the blow-out wedding – with many couples opting to spend the big ‘bucks’ on pre-wedding celebrations instead.
The average cost of weddings in Australia now sits at $38,252, leading to the emergence of the ‘micro-wedding’ as a standout trend in 2026. And for two Aussie couples, this slightly unconventional approach has saved them thousands.
Aussie couples are opting for bigger pre-wedding parties and smaller, more intimate ceremonies. iStock
Sticking to a budget remains the number one stressor for Australian couples when planning their big day, with 69 per cent of couples reducing their wedding spend in some way due to cost of living concerns.
According to data released by Easy Weddings, couples are inviting an average of 23 fewer guests than originally planned – highlighting the direct link between budget pressure and guest list decisions.
So-called ‘micro-weddings’ have seen a notable increase in popularity in 2026: with around 15 per cent of Aussies opting for smaller ceremonies, while only five per cent still go all-out for the big bash.
For newlyweds Simon, 35, and Shannon, 36, being stringent with their wedding invites saw the total cost come in at significantly lower than originally thought.
Simon and Shannon
Speaking to nine.com.au, Simon recalled having a “f—ing crisis” while planning his wedding – particularly over the mounting cost of including all their friends and family.
“We did our long lists and there was probably like 80 to 100 people, so it wasn’t massive, but it’s still a lot of people to pay for catering for.”
For a high school teacher and journalist navigating the Sydney rental market, the prospect of paying “around $80,000” to accommodate that number of guests was untenable.
Simon Brunsdon and wife Shannon saved on wedding costs by opting for a package. Supplied
But inspiration struck while the couple were holidaying in Fiji – and they happened upon a resort that offered budget wedding packages.
“Essentially, it went from being like a $70,000 to $80,000 wedding in Australia with a bunch of people – extended family and people Shannon had never met – to a package that included 20 adults for, like, $10,000,” he said.
According to Simon, this Hilton-based wedding package covered “everything” on their big day – including the cake, the celebrant, food, a three-hour drinks package and the ceremony itself.
Simon and Shannon are not the only ones getting more bang for their buck overseas. According to Easy Weddings, Bali and Fiji have emerged as the top two international options for Aussie couples.
The couple opted for bigger bucks and hens parties to celebrate with more people. Supplied
“Destination weddings often offer a more intimate and cost-effective alternative, with fewer guests and a lower overall spend than the national average,” the 2026 report revealed.
In lieu of a 100-strong guest list, Simon and Shannon instead opted to celebrate with the majority of their friends through their respective buck’s and hen’s parties.
“We rented a big house down the coast for the weekend and … all the guys were invited to chip in a bit of money for that.”
In the end, the cost came out at about $300 a head for the buck party, which was all covered by the attendees.
Couples are opting for “blow-out” buck’s and hen’s parties to make up for smaller wedding ceremonies. Getty
Despite more than half of those attending their pre-wedding celebrations not making the cut for the actual ceremony, Simon said there were “no hard feelings,” and plenty of understanding given the current cost of living.
Rachael and Mitchell
Rachael – a close friend of Simon and Shannon’s – and her fiancé Mitchell have chosen a similar route for their upcoming wedding, cutting costs with a small guest list, while using their engagement party as a way to celebrate with their wider circle.
She revealed the “pretty big” bash, held at their local bowlo, came in at around $7,000 in the end, but proved a great approach to including friends and family who wouldn’t make the final wedding guest list.
“Having the big engagement party gave us a celebration where everyone was included, [which] I think helped people to feel like the got to be a part of it with us even if they won’t be at the wedding.”
She revealed Mitchell would be having around “about 20-25 mates” for his buck’s – including Simon, who did not make the cut to attend their intimate garden ceremony.
Rachael admitted she’d noticed a wider trend within her circle of many opting for a similar setup to combat rising costs.
“Quite a few of our friends have had a similar approach, with larger engagement parties and then very small family-only weddings or destination weddings with only close family and friends.”
The way Aussies are planning their big day is changing to reflect the country’s economy – and soon, the blow-out wedding may be a thing of the past, making way for increasingly intimate affairs.
