High wedding costs are sending Australian couples overseas to tie the knot instead

With Aussie couples facing wedding costs around $150,000 these days, many are heading overseas to tie the knot - and save money. See where they’re going, the cheaper deals and what’s included.

Jay and Linda Balmaran wanted convenience and bang for buck when planning their destination wedding.

They opted for two venues — the Maldives and the southern Indian city of Chennai.

Jay, from Sydney, said they never considered Australia for financial and logistical reasons.

“I’m Indian-born and Linda is from Europe, so we wanted to have a destination wedding where both our families could travel to be there and not have to spend a fortune,” he said.

“We wanted everyone to have a good time at our wedding. We wanted everyone to come and have an experience, and so we didn’t ask for gifts. People were travelling for it and that was the best gift of all.”

The couple tied the knot in November 2022 alongside 80 guests at a traditional Indian ceremony and paid $60,000 for their dream day. Days later, they had an intimate ceremony with 45 guests in the Maldives, also paying about $60,000.

Jay and Linda Balmaran from Sydney had an intimate wedding in the Maldives ...

... and a larger wedding in the southern Indian city of Chennai. Pictures: Supplied

And they are not alone. Jay, 40, and Linda, 35, are one of many Australian couples who are taking nuptials offshore to save on costs.

They are looking for affordable nuptial options in more unique destinations ahead of historically cheap places such as Bali and Thailand.

Exclusive new Skyscanner data shows three out of five Aussies have considered or have had a destination wedding.

Seventy per cent of Gen Zs are considering a destination wedding, followed by 55 per cent of younger millennials.

In the survey of 2000 people conducted this month, Oceania came out on top as a preferred location (49 per cent), followed by Asia (35 per cent) and Europe (34 per cent).

Australian wedding planners have also noticed more couples are looking abroad as they snap up flight bargains and all-inclusive wedding packages.

Sonya Uribe from Evenio Weddings & Events. Picture: Supplied

Timothy Chen and the My Overseas Wedding team. Picture: Supplied

My Overseas Wedding managing director Timothy Chen said one Australian wedding for the same amount of guests could easily blow out to exactly how much Jay and Linda paid for two overseas weddings.

“You could have a wedding in Sydney and spend $150,000, and then people go home at the end of the day, whereas a destination wedding is cheaper and everyone is fully present and get to enjoy each other for longer,” he said.

Sonya Uribe from Evenio Weddings & Events said destination weddings were becoming extended honeymoons or reunions, where guests not only attend but often go on to enjoy a holiday.

Overall, these are the top destinations Australian couples are choosing from:

VIETNAM

Halong Bay, Vietnam. The southeast Asian country is “one of the hottest places for a destination wedding right now”.

The southeast Asian country, just a nine-hour flight from Australia, is “one of the hottest places for a destination wedding right now”.

“The demand for Vietnam has exploded,” Mr Chen said.

“It’s one of the countries where all-inclusive packages are very popular and effective, and you can get them for as low as $2000.”

The price range of a destination wedding for 20 guests can be as low as $1400–$29,800, while the price for a wedding of 50 guests can range anywhere between $3500 and $59,100, he said.

“Hotels – especially the local brand hotels – are having really cheap rates at the moment because they’ve lost core tourism markets such as the Chinese and Russians, and weddings are considered one of the biggest things right now to fill those rooms,” he added.

Mr Chen’s wedding planning team had visited Vietnam three times in the past two years.

“It feels less touristy and there are lots of untouched areas. There’s a starfish beach with star fish everywhere that’s 100 per cent natural, and that’s just one of so many cool experiences you can have here,” he said.

There are also more options to fly to Vietnam from Australia than other destinations.

FIJI

All-inclusive hotel packages are popular with island destinations like Fiji. Picture: Fiji Airways

Ms Uribe said all-inclusive hotel packages are popular with island destinations like Fiji – just like Bali – as it doesn’t require couples to have a wedding planner.

“The attraction with Fiji, Bali, or the islands is these packages because, whether you have a small or big wedding, they package it up for you so you don’t have to invest in a planner which is a considerable amount of money,” she said.

Mr Chen recommended guests stay on the main island to save costs as it is more expensive to celebrate on the smaller islands.

“On the smaller islands, food and drink will need to be shipped in and then, if your party finishes after dusk, you’ll need to stay on the island as it’s too dark and dangerous to get a boat.”

He said a price range of a wedding for 20 guests would be $5800–$14,100, while couples should expect to pay anywhere between $11,200 and $24,800 for a celebration with 50 guests.

MAURITIUS

Mauritius is world-renowned for its dazzling natural beauty, sunrises and sunsets, setting the scene for a jaw-dropping backdrop and remarkable wedding photos. Picture: Supplied

Those who fancy beachside weddings – which according to Skyscanner’s data is 47 per cent of those surveyed – would be keen on this island off Africa.

The exotic island has no shortage of Instagram-worthy attractions and must-see sites ranging from golden beaches to mountains.

The island is world-renowned for its dazzling natural beauty, sunrises and sunsets, setting the scene for a jaw-dropping backdrop and remarkable wedding photos.

Aussie couples can look to spend at least $10,000 on a wedding here, Mr Chen said.

EUROPE: ITALY, SPAIN & GREECE

The Grand Canal in Venice. “With Italy, the main attraction is the backdrop.” Picture: Rudy Balasko/NCL

The cheaper cost of living in Spain, Italy and Greece is prompting many Aussie couples to consider these countries.

Italy boasts hundreds of picturesque villages, towns and cities located in the country’s northern alps to the rolling countryside of Tuscany and the golden beaches in Sicily. But it’s Tuscany that is currently the most popular region for the budget-conscious couple, Ms Uribe said.

“With Italy, the main attraction is the backdrop. You have such beautiful venues and couples don’t have to do much when it comes to decoration because its already there, so that saves them a lot of money versus having it in Australia where it’s a venue and you have to dress up the venue because maybe it’s not what you want but it’s what you can afford, and you want it to look nice,” she said.

For a “nice” wedding in these three destinations, couples can expect to pay at least $40,000, according to My Overseas Wedding data.

MEXICO

The Palacio De Bellas Artes in Mexico City. “Outside of Asia, Mexico is the next big destination for hotel wedding packages.” Picture: Shutterstock

Aussies are considering destination weddings in San Carlos, a beachfront paradise within the port city of Guaymas, Mr Chen said.

“Mexico has so much to offer, starting with just its diverse experiences where you can experience desert-like surroundings of Cabo San Lucas or Yucatán, which is one of the safest places in Latin America,” he said.

The wedding planner said the approximate price range of a destination wedding with 20 guests was $2800–$27,300 and 50 guests between $4500 and $53,200.

“Outside of Asia, Mexico is the next big destination for hotel wedding packages,” Mr Chen said.

“Here, you get some great resorts as they receive a lot of investment to maintain the US tourism market.

“The hospitality here is also very different from Asian hospitality. Here, they’re very warm, casual and personal, and definitely make you feel like you’re one of them.”

Originally published as High wedding costs are sending Australian couples overseas to tie the knot instead