If you’ve recently got engaged, chances are this question popped up faster than you could say “champagne”:
How much does a wedding actually cost in Perth?
It’s the number one thing couples ask — and for good reason, especially at the moment. In a cost of living crisis weddings, while an important life milestone for any couple, are commonly classed as a luxury and therefore are one of the first things for people to streamline asking the question ‘is it absolutely necessary?’ The Perth Marriage Office, situated at Old Tower House in Northbridge, is a beautiful building, with lovely surrounding photo locations and restaurants for afterwards. You can get it done and dusted in a morning, have a picnic in the park and get on with your lives by afternoon tea.
I suppose the question is, is that what you want?
What did you envision for your wedding? Did you always see yourself in the big white dress? Did you want the formal sit down dinner and the big party afterwards? Did you want to make a memory that isn’t a matter of course but a matter of a matter of meaning — something that feels deeply, uniquely you. Because that’s the difference between just having a wedding and truly living it.
I am however, the first person to tell you that weddings in 2025 are not cheap. They can be, with a lot of sacrifice, DIY and free help from family and friends but we’re still talking your backyard wedding at home with a sausage sizzle, a cake from The Cheesecake Shop and a Spotify playlist.
Brutal I’m afraid, but honest.
Weddings are emotional, exciting and with the right wedding planner, the experience doesn’t have to feel overwhelming (or financially terrifying). Here’s the truth from inside the industry — what Perth weddings really cost, why, and how to make your budget feel intentional, not impossible.
The Average Perth Wedding Budget (And What That Really Means)
Across Western Australia, the average wedding sits around $30,000 – $35,000. I reiterate this is the average, not the average figure of AHE clients. This is in line with national figures, though Perth couples often get slightly better value for money than the east coast thanks to our local venues, outdoor lifestyle and boutique-run businesses.
But averages can be misleading. A coastal sundown ceremony at Cottesloe Civic Centre with 60 guests and a long-table dinner might come in at $22,000, while a marquee wedding in Yallingup with full styling and live entertainment can comfortably reach $60,000-plus. The difference isn’t extravagance — it’s logistics, guest count and creative direction.
AHE Weddings: Luxury, Logistical Mastery, and Meaningful Detail
At Alice Heydon Events, our weddings typically sit at the upper end of the scale, ranging between $80,000 – $120,000 depending on size, styling and location.
That reflects not only the calibre of suppliers and venues we partner with, but also the level of creative direction and logistical precision we bring to every event. From fully-themed marquee builds in the Swan Valley to weekend-long destination celebrations in Yallingup or Margaret River, our clients invest in design, comfort and experience — because they understand that excellence is intentional and planned down to the tiniest hand tied bow detail, never accidental.
Our approach blends elevated design and hospitality-first planning, resulting in weddings that look effortless but are structured down to the minute.
Where Your Perth Wedding Budget Goes
At Alice Heydon Events, I always tell couples: the numbers matter, but only in so much as your priorities. You might really value the cake, but someone else doesn’t. Someone else might prioritise a 6 course degustation menu whereas you’re more than happy with food trucks. But they’re all just one part of the bigger story. Here is a breakdown comparing the average Perth wedding vs. an AHE wedding.
| Average | AHE | |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | $9,000 – $12,000 | $9,000 – $12,000 |
| Marquees | $18,000 for marquee & flooring $8,000 – $10,000 for operational costs e.g. kitchens, toilets |
|
| Catering | $5,416 | $16,000 – $26,000 |
| Photo | $2,800 – $3,500 | $5,000 – $7,000 |
| Video | $2,800 – $3,500 | $4,500 – $6,000 |
| Content Creator | $1,600 – $2,200 | |
| DJ | $1,400 | $1,800 – $2,700 |
| Celebrant | $675 | $1,000 – $2,200 |
| Styling & Hire | $1,000 – $2,000 | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Florals | $1,600 – $2,500 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Bridal Transport | $50 – $750 | $800 – $1,300 |
| Hair / MUA | $200 – $300pp | |
| Wedding Dress | $2,000 – $3,000 | $3,500 – $12,000 |
| Stationery | $500 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $4,000 |
Bear in mind that all of these numbers are absolutely guest number dependent so can change depending on your final count.
The Hidden Costs No One Mentions
Even seasoned planners see couples caught out by:
- Venue or vendor overtime or next-day bump-out fees
- Corkage or service charges
- Transport for guests to regional venues (including the Swan Valley but especially Margaret River / Yallingup)
- Additional generator power, cool rooms or shade structures for marquee weddings
- Post wedding charges for breakages or lost items aka glassware, cutlery the common culprits
- Unpredictable weather requiring last minute venues, marquees, shade covers, umbrellas, staff
- Set up / pack down staff wages
How to Make Your Budget Work Harder
1. Decide What Matters Most
Start with what you actually care about. Is it the food, the music, the styling, or the storytelling? Build your budget around those priorities. If ambience tops your list, scale back on items guests won’t remember — like printed menus — and direct those funds into lighting, florals, or sound.
2. Keep the Guest List Intentional
Guest count drives cost more than any other factor. Every extra table adds to catering, hire, florals and service staff. A smaller guest list often means you can elevate the experience — think premium menu choices, elevated styling and a more relaxed flow.
3. Choose Local WA Suppliers
Western Australian vendors know the nuances of our venues — from Fremantle sea breeze timing to Swan Valley heat management. They also reduce travel costs, freight fees and logistical stress, giving you better value and reliability.
4. Plan for Comfort
WA weddings are shaped by weather. Build your comfort plan into the budget — cooling, hydration, shade, footwear swaps, sunscreen, and even staff water stations. Guests remember how they felt far more than how much you spent.
5. Be Clear on Inclusions
Venues, hire companies and stylists all quote differently. Always ask for itemised proposals — delivery fees, staffing, pack-down and overtime add up fast. Clarity here means fewer surprises later.
6. Don’t Double-Up on Styling
You don’t need décor everywhere. Focus your spend where people gather: ceremony backdrop, dining area, and bar. A single, well-executed design feature has far more impact than ten smaller ones. You’ll also physically see where you spent your money.
7. Repurpose Design Elements
Your ceremony flowers can become reception décor. Lounge furniture can move from cocktail hour to the dance floor. With the right planning, you can double the value of key styling investments.
8. Think Off-Peak or Weekday
Some Perth venues and vendors often offer significant savings for Mondays and Tuesdays or the winter months. You’ll still get the same quality team — often with more flexibility, time and focus.
9. Mix High-Low Design
Pair premium hero pieces (luxury linens, curated glassware, statement lighting) with more accessible styling elsewhere. It’s about creating visual depth — not spending evenly everywhere.
10. Trust Your Planner
An experienced planner doesn’t just manage logistics — they maximise value. From negotiating supplier packages to catching hidden fees, the right planner will often save you more than they cost.
When to Spend More (and When You Don’t Need To)
Spend more on the moments that last — photography, videography, the people feeding your guests.
Spend less on one-use items. Rented décor, potted plants and reusable signage are not only budget-friendly but sustainable — a core part of the Alice Heydon Events philosophy.
The Final Word
A wedding in Perth doesn’t have to cost a fortune to feel extraordinary. The average sits around $30,000, but the best weddings aren’t defined by their price tag — they’re defined by personality, presence and thoughtful planning.
