Cost-of-living crisis bites for Adelaide couple’s wedding plans

This Adelaide couple’s big day was only months away when they realised something wasn’t adding up.

Sophie and Scott Hyde were nine months out from their wedding day when they had to make a major call.

The pair had taken all the smart steps when planning their big day – they had a long engagement, both had steady incomes, and they set themselves a healthy budget.

However, when they started tallying their bills, it became clear this was not enough.

“I ended up saying (to my husband) do you have the other half of this $35,000 because this has gone from 35 to 40 thousand … this is going to end up costing 70 grand,” Ms Hyde said.

Sophie and Scott Hyde on their wedding day. Picture: Dan Evans Photography

Sophie and Scott Hyde on their wedding day. Picture: Dan Evans Photography

This realisation forced the couple to make a heartbreaking decision.

“We had to cut back guests, which was controversial, and there were a few people that were upset,” Ms Hyde said.

Together, the couple revamped their entire wedding day, downsizing the guest list and changing venue.

“As the cost of living started to creep up, and it also crept up on a lot of the vendors … the money didn’t go as far,” said Ms Hyde who was quoted $8500 for flowers – $500 more than their original price.

Despite the emotional stress of having to revoke invites and change her wedding vision, Ms Hyde said she had no regrets.

“My day was absolutely stunning,” she said.

The Hydes are not the only South Australians whose dream wedding has been affected by the cost-of-living crisis, with industry insiders also noticing a change.

Wedding industry professional, Kelly Markos while working at a recent wedding. Picture: Supplied

Forever You Bridal owner, Liz Wall among dresses at her shop at Mawson Lakes. Picture Mark Brake

Kelly Markos who runs wedding venue Glanville Hall and Adelaide Pop-Up Weddings with her husband, said she had observed “huge changes” in her operations since the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The rebuild of the wedding industry since Covid has been it’s really incredible to watch, because it’s a different landscape altogether now,” she said.

“There is a lot more focus on smaller, intimate groups (and) there’s definitely a lot more elopement.”

With prices for elopements starting at as little as $1500, Ms Markos said couples were choosing smaller scale celebrations that didn’t break the bank.

This cost is “chalk and cheese” when compared to a wedding with “all the bells and whistles” which can carry a price tag of $60,000 or more.

“Elopements used to be really rare, whereas now, I’d say the elopements and the micro weddings would be 20 per cent of the business,” she said.

For many brides, the wedding dress is an important part of the day and Forever You Bridal in Mawson Lakes has introduced a range of measures ease the financial squeeze.

“We just offer them a long term lay by if they want to get something that’s a bit more expensive … and they can pay that off fortnightly or monthly, and that allows them to spend a bit more,” owner, Liz Wall said.