5 Unconventional Wedding Choices That Can Save You Thousands

Weddings are a celebration of love, of friends and family. But too often planning even the most modest celebration can lead to wedding budget blowouts making a couple wonder whether the stress is all worth it. According to latest data, the average wedding in Australia can easily cost upwards of $35,000. And while some of that cost is inescapable, a lot of it is completely unnecessary.

So, if you’re planning a wedding and want to save thousands without compromising on what really matters, here are 5 unconventional (but totally effective) ways to do just that.

Lose the Wedding Cars to Trim Your Wedding Budgets

Whether it’s a stretch limousine, a vintage Rolls-Royce, or a luxury sports car, hiring wedding cars can add from $500 to $2,000 to your wedding budgets.

But ask yourself: Is this really necessary?

I’ve never seen the appeal myself. For starters, most of your guests won’t even see the car. Second, vintage cars lack basic creature comforts such as air conditioning. And finally, your photo and video team is focused on you, not the transportation, the car rarely plays a significant role in your wedding memories. Instead:

• Embrace public transport to give your photos a unique look.
• Hire a regular rideshare service for a fraction of the cost.
• Get ready at the venue itself to eliminate the need for transportation altogether.

Saving here could easily knock $1,000 or more off your wedding budget, money better spent on something more lasting—like your honeymoon or a house deposit.

You Don’t Need a Wedding Party

This might be the most divisive option – for some, a wedding party is an absolute non negotiable. I get that. And while wedding parties are a long held tradition, they do come with a significant cost. Outfits, makeup, hair, accessories, gifts, bouquets — even a small wedding party can really impact on wedding budgets.

And let’s be honest: coordinating a wedding party can be stressful. People’s schedules clash, personalities sometimes clash, and the larger the group, the harder it becomes to make everyone happy.

Here’s an alternative: go solo or just have a witness each. You can still involve your closest friends in the lead-up to the wedding. They can play significant roles in pre-wedding events, getting ready together on the day, speeches etc., but without the pressure (and expense) of a full wedding party.

This change could save you $2,000–$5,000 depending on how many people you were planning to include and how much you were kicking in for outfits and gifts.

Nobody Remembers the Bomboniere

Those cute little wedding favors—called bomboniere—are often more hassle than they’re worth. You spend time choosing them, packaging them, maybe even personalizing them… only for them to be left on tables or tossed in a drawer.

The truth is: no one remembers the bomboniere. Guests care more about the food, the music, and the overall vibe of the celebration.

Skip the bomboniere entirely, or if you feel obligated, opt for something simple and meaningful—like a charity donation in your guests’ names. Even that can be done for a few dollars per head compared to the usual $5–$10 per person (which adds up fast with 100+ guests).

Potential savings: $500–$1,000 or more.

Getting Ready Together is Smarter (and Cheaper)

Tradition dictates that couples get ready separately on their wedding day. But why?

Not only does this lead to extra accommodation costs, it also doubles the need for makeup artists, photographers, and transport between locations. Instead, consider getting ready together. A great way of doing this is to hire an Air BnB with separate areas or wings.

This approach is not only more cost-effective, but it can also be a sweet way to share intimate, calm moments before the ceremony. You’ll save on transportation, accommodation, and vendor hours—potentially trimming $1,000–$2,000 off your budget.

Bonus? It often makes for more relaxed, authentic photos!

Plan Your Wedding for a Thursday Before a Public Holiday Friday

The biggest factor in wedding budgets usually revolve around the venue and vendors—and those costs are tied heavily to the day of the week. Saturday weddings are in high demand, which means venues, photographers, DJs, and even florists charge a premium.

But here’s a savvy tip: book your wedding for a Thursday before a Friday public holiday. In many places, there are several such weekends each year—think Easter, Anzac Day, or even the Grand Final public holiday here in Melbourne.

The advantages?

• Major savings: Many venues and vendors offer discounted rates for weekday weddings.
• Guests can still party: Since Friday is a public holiday, guests don’t have to worry about work the next day.
• Better availability: You’re more likely to get your first-choice vendors.

Depending on your venue and vendor packages, this strategy alone could save you $3,000–$7,000.

Final Thoughts: Your Wedding Budgets , Your Rules

Weddings are deeply personal, and there’s no “right” way to celebrate love. But if you’re looking to save money, reduce stress, and still have an unforgettable day, I recommend questioning what you’re including.

Here’s a quick recap of your potential savings:

Cost-Cutting Tip	Potential Savings
Skip the Wedding Cars	$1,000
No Wedding Party	$2,000–$5,000
Ditch the Bomboniere	$500–$1,000
Get Ready Together	$1,000–$2,000
Thursday Wedding Before Public Holiday	$3,000–$7,000
Total Potential Savings	$7,500–$16,000+

Imagine what you could do with that extra cash—a longer honeymoon, a deposit on a home, or simply starting your marriage without financial stress.

So go ahead, challenge the norms. After all, the only thing that truly matters is marrying the person you love—everything else is optional.