February 13, 2023 · Last update: 10/10/2024

• Personal Loans & Finance

What Does An Average Wedding Cost NZ? An Honest Breakdown of the Numbers

What does an average wedding cost NZ? love birds are asking 🕊️. Planning a wedding can be an incredibly exciting, but also somewhat daunting task. With so many details to consider and costs to factor in, it’s no wonder why the average New Zealander may feel overwhelmed by the thought of organising a wedding 💒. In this article, we will take an honest look at the real costs involved in wedding planning in New Zealand, providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Key Takeaways 🔑

• Typical New Zealand weddings cost around $32,000. If you think this is a lot… read on to find out why and some money saving tips.
• Whether you want a traditional wedding or a more modern affair. The some costs to consider are flowers, dress, catering, location, guests. 
• There are many ways you can save some cash on your wedding if you get creative! Read on to hear our tips.
• Budgeting and choosing the right time can make all the difference to your cost. Think winter wedding vibes.
• Remember to consider the costs you might not have thought about, the ring, insurance, dress alterations and thank you cards, to name a few.
• We think love birds (love kiwis 🥰🥝) can have the wedding of their dreams with a little planning.
• Wedding loans are a great way to subsidise the wedding of your dreams.

Average Cost of a Wedding in New Zealand

The average wedding budget NZ wide is approximately $32,000. A wedding budget NZ style includes the cost of the wedding venue, food and drink (think bubbles 🥂 and wedding cake 🎂), transport, accommodation, wedding dresses and suits, flowers 💐, decorations, and entertainment. This does not include the cost of the honeymoon or the ring 💍.

To save money on your wedding, you can choose to have a smaller guest list, have your ceremony and reception at the same venue, or DIY💪your own flowers and decorations. You can also ask family and friends to help with catering, transport or accommodation. For those wanting to save money on travel, New Zealand is a honeymoon destination in itself. You could even take a road trip in your very own camper and enjoy New Zealand’s splendor for months to come…

If you’re like most people and need assistance with finance, connect with Crester Credit and we’ll figure out the best rates and repayment options on a personal wedding loan for you 💸.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Your Wedding

Your wedding budget will be affected by a number of factors, including the time of year you get married 🍁, the location of your ceremony and reception, the number of guests you invite, and the type of wedding you want.

If you’re planning a summer wedding 🌞, you may have to pay more for venues and vendors than if you were getting married in winter ❄️. Similarly, getting married in a popular wedding destination like Queenstown or Wanaka will likely cost more than getting married in a smaller town.

The number of guests you invite will also affect your budget. More guests means more food and drink, more invitations and stationery, and possibly even larger venues. If you’re inviting a lot of people from out of town, you may need to provide accommodation for them as well.

Finally, the type of wedding you want will also affect your costs. A simple ceremony and reception at a local venue might cost a few thousand dollars, while an extravagant affair with all the bells and whistles could easily cost tens of thousands.

Common Expenses to Consider for Your Wedding

When you start planning your wedding it can be difficult to know what expenses to factor in, and there are a few things that can affect your wedding budget NZ. Remember, every wedding is different and therefore has different costs associated with it. However, there are some common expenses that you should consider for your wedding in New Zealand, regardless of the specific details of your event.

One of the biggest costs associated with any wedding is the venue 💒. The cost of a venue will vary depending on the location, size, and amenities required. If you’re looking for a unique or luxurious venue, you can expect to pay more. Additionally, if you’re getting married during peak wedding season (December-February), you may also have to pay a premium for your venue. Beautiful New Zealand has many incredible options locations wise 🏞️, so it’s worth doing your research. How does getting married on top of Cecil Peak, complete with a helicopter ride 🚁 and a wedding party with friends and family sound? This is fairly reasonable budget wise believe it or not.

When considering the average wedding cost NZ, another common expense to factor in is catering 🍽️. Again, the cost will vary depending on how many guests you have and the type of food you want served. If you’re looking for a more upscale menu, or if you have dietary restrictions that need to be accommodated, expect to pay more for catering. Options range from 3 course meals and silver service to food trucks for a festival vibe 💃!

Of course, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of decorations and flowers. The sky’s the limit when it comes to wedding decorations, so it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. Flowers can be one of the most expensive items on your decorating list, so be sure to work with your florist to find beautiful blooms that fit within your budget. If you’re wanting to save money on flowers, get creative🎨. Ask florists for their most affordable package, or consider using more grasses and greenery in your bouquet 🌿. Anything in season will probably be more affordable. You could even use shells in your bouquet!

Memories last forever, but having something to look back on is priceless. Getting a good wedding photographer 📸 can be expensive but one of the worthwhile expenses! Ask your guests to give their smart phone a break and enjoy the moment whilst your amazing photographer and videographer takes care of the rest.

Finally, don’t forget about miscellaneous expenses like invitations, thank-you cards, favors.

The Hidden Costs of Weddings

There are often hidden costs that couples may not think about when planning their wedding. Here are some of the hidden costs of getting married in New Zealand:

1. The cost of the engagement ring. While the average cost of an engagement ring in New Zealand is around $3,000, this is just the start. If you want a more luxurious ring, the price can quickly increase. Oh, and don’t forget the insurance 😖!
2. The cost of the wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses. While you may have found your dream dress on sale, there are still other costs to consider such as alterations, dry cleaning and even storage if you plan on keeping your dress for future generations.
3. The cost of the honeymoon. Once the big day is over, it’s time to jet off on your honeymoon! But don’t forget to factor in the cost of flights, accommodation and activities while you’re away.
4. The cost of thank you gifts. After your wedding guests have helped make your special day memorable, it’s nice to show your appreciation with a small gift. Thank you gifts can add up, so be sure to factor them into your budget. Many brides also like to offer the bridal gifts even before the celebrations begin with “will you be my bridesmaid?”favours. Sweet 🍬.
5. The cost of post-wedding celebrations. From your first anniversary to future milestone anniversaries, there will be plenty of reasons to celebrate your marriage! But these celebrations come at a cost, so be sure to budget for them accordingly.

There are several ways you can keep costs down and save money, so read on love birds 🕊️! We have some great tips for you!

Quick Tips for Keeping Costs Down

There are a few ways to keep wedding costs down.

• First, consider having your kiwi wedding during the off-season. This can save you money on venue rental fees, as well as on vendor costs.
• Second, take advantage of any discounts that may be available to you. For example, many venues offer discounts for booking early or for weekday weddings.
• Third, be mindful of your guest list. The more people you invite, the more it will cost. So, try to keep your guest list to a reasonable size. You could have a BYO drink or 1st drink free policy.
• Fourth, Do you have a friend with a beautiful backyard, or garden? Can you eliminate your venue costs altogether?
• Fifth, take advantage of modern technology! Although paper wedding invitations are beautiful, there are many incredible options out there as E-invitations. They also make RSVPing very easy and you can add your wish list…
• Finally, don’t forget to negotiate! Many vendors are willing to work with you on price, so don’t be afraid to ask for a better deal.

How to Save Money When Planning a NZ Wedding

When it comes to weddings, the bottom line is always going to be cost. But there are ways to save money when planning a New Zealand wedding without sacrificing the quality of your big day. Here are a few tips:

• Set a budget and stick to it. This is probably the most important tip when it comes to saving money on your wedding. Have a clear idea of how much you can afford to spend and then work backwards from there. This will help you stay within your budget and avoid any unwanted surprises down the road.
• Shop around for vendors. Don’t just go with the first vendor you find. Get quotes from a few different vendors before making your final decision. This way, you can compare prices and services to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
• Consider an off-peak wedding date. If you’re flexible with your wedding date, consider getting married during an off-peak time of year. This can often save you money on everything from venue rental fees to catering costs.
• Take advantage of package deals. Many venues and vendors offer package deals for weddings, so be sure to ask about any available discounts. This could end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.
• DIY where you can. If you’re crafty or have some handy friends or family members, see what parts of the wedding you can DIY instead of hiring someone else to do it for you.

New Zealand Wedding Planners

One way you can save a lot of money on a wedding is though hiring a wedding planner. They are tuned in, and switched on, to venues, catering companies, florists, and can help you have the wedding of your dreams at a budget that’s affordable for you! So, how do you find a wedding planner? Well, there are a few things to consider.

Finding a trustworthy wedding planner in New Zealand involves several steps to ensure you choose someone who matches your vision and budget while having the expertise and reliability needed to manage your special day. Here’s how you can go about it:

• Ask for recommendations from friends and family. Recommendations are great, especially from people you trust and know your style!
• Have a search online to see who comes up. Check out their websites, the quality and whether they have reviews (always look at both positive and negative reviews). Websites like WeddingWise and The Knot have a bunch of reviews and directories you can use to plan your wedding, including wedding planners.
• Have a look at their portfolios and check out the style, scale and see if it is the sort of thing you would see yourself having.
• Although we should take with social media with a pinch of salt, it is a great place to get ideas and find local wedding planners! Search for hashtags like #weddingplannernz to find wedding planning accounts.
• Make sure you check out credentials and experience level. There are organizations like New Zealand Academy of Wedding & Event Planning that provide certifications. It’s always worth a thought, particularly if you’re investing a lot of money! Also, the more experienced the planner, the stronger their networks, and often the better management for your wedding budget NZ!
• When getting down to business, set out detailed contract terms, budgets and expectations so that you’re aligned and your big day goes smoothly.

Also, don’t forget to consider their fee! They can save you a lot of money but ensure to add their fees into your wedding budget NZ.
 

 

Conclusion

With all the necessary factors taken into consideration, it is clear that weddings in New Zealand can be quite expensive. From hiring a venue to choosing decorations and catering, there are several expenses that must be accounted for when planning your wedding. However, with careful budgeting and smart decisions on where to allocate your funds, you can still have an amazing wedding day without breaking the bank!

Crester are here to help you have the wedding of your dreams!
 
Find out about our wedding loans today!