Couples fear Melbourne weddings will become ‘elite-only’ zones amid a cost-of-living crisis

The cost of weddings has soared in Melbourne, with at least one venue jacking up their prices by $50 per person. Now many couples fear they’ll never afford to have their big day.

Frustrated couples fear Melbourne weddings will become “elite-only” zones due to soaring price hikes amid a cost-of-living crisis. Picture: Gokhan Pala/Focus Films

Frustrated couples fear Melbourne weddings will become “elite-only” zones due to soaring price hikes amid a cost-of-living crisis.

New data from Easy Weddings revealed Victorian couples fork out an average of $37,128 on their big day with budget constraints being their number one stressor.

The research showed weddings in 2025 are expected to cost 4.5 per cent more year on year, pushing brides and grooms to extend their budgets by thousands of dollars.

Athanasia Arkalis and her fiance Andreas are set to wed in a cocktail-style ceremony in August.

After six months of searching for a venue within their budget, the couple settled for a space in Fitzroy.

Athanasia Arkalis and her partner Andreas. Picture: Supplied

“I definitely inquired with more than 50 venues and the things I saw just shocked me,” Ms Arkalis said.

The marketing guru said she was forced to increase her budget by $15,000.

“My partner and I are paying for our wedding, we aren’t getting any support from our family and we are struggling,” she said.

“Our original budget was $100 per head so for 100 guests we were looking at $10,000 just for the venue.

“We’ve now had to go with $154 per head so $15,400 for the venue, and with all the additional costs of a wedding it is looking like we will be spending $25,000 to $30,000.

“We were initially hoping to be able to have a wedding with all our family and friends in Melbourne for a total of 15,000.”

Ilknur and her husband Ihsan Daner tied the knot on Friday. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ms Arkalis said she feared only the wealthiest would be able to afford a Melbourne wedding in years to come.

It comes as a popular venue in the north is believed to have increased their costs by $50 per person within a 12-month period, pricing $280 per head in 2026 compared to $230 this year.

“If I’m struggling as a 31-year-old, I can’t imagine how people in five to 10 years time who are in the same position as me, will be able to afford it,” Ms Arkalis said.

“I really can’t imagine what the Melbourne wedding industry is going to look like in 2026. By 2027, a wedding is going to be for the elite only.

“I feel sorry for the younger generation, I feel sorry for them wanting to have their dream wedding.”

Ilknur Daner and her partner Ihsan tied the knot on Friday at Lakeside Banquet and Convention Centre in Taylors Lakes.

Mrs Daner said her wedding planning went smoothly but sticking to her budget was difficult.

“It was hard for us, it wasn’t a nice feeling,” she said.

“But that’s when I searched around and tried to get the most value for my money.”

Mrs Daner said future couples will be forced to downsize their big day due to rising costs.

“The numbers will change, instead of having 80 or 100 people, they get married in front of a smaller group of people” she said.

“They will have 15 to 20 people because they can’t afford it. It’s very expensive.”

Wedding planner Gee Tankir said couples need to spend smarter when planning their wedding. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ms Arkalis said she planned to cut specific items from her wedding to save cash.

“The wedding industry sucks you into thinking you need those extra candles or those extra flowers,” she said.

“They come at a crazy cost and they just increase every year.”

Wedding planner Gee Tankir, who has worked in the industry for more than 18 years, urged couples to spend smarter and not entirely ditch their nuptials.

“With the way the industry is going, I think brides and grooms will try to save money in other areas,” she said.

“Instead of having an acoustic duo, they will have a DJ as bands can cost anywhere between $4500 to $7000.

“Unfortunately within our industry there is no governing body but there’s so many ways of still being able to still have an incredible wedding. It’s important to spend smarter.”