Debunking the $87,000 Wedding Myth: Realistic Wedding Budgets in New Zealand
Last week I was invited by Radio New Zealand to talk about wedding budgets — specifically, that eye-watering claim making the rounds that the average New Zealand wedding costs $87,000. Yep, you read that right. But while that number grabs headlines, it doesn’t paint an accurate picture of what most couples actually spend.
As someone who’s worked in the wedding industry for over a decade, helping hundreds of couples bring their celebrations to life, I was grateful for the opportunity to unpack the numbers and share a little clarity around what a realistic wedding budget looks like for the majority of couples getting married in New Zealand.
So, is $87,000 really the average?
In short: no. That figure came from a wedding planner — and while planners bring incredible value, it’s important to note that only around 10% of couples engage a full-service wedding planner in New Zealand and those couples - they have higher budgets than most. So when you base the "average" on the top-spending tier of the market, you're not really talking about what most couples are doing. It’s a bit like saying the average car price is a Range Rover because some people buy Range Rovers. This is why clarity matters, and typically we see those clickbait headlines in the media because that is what gets engagement.
In reality, most Kiwi couples are spending closer to $40,000–$50,000 on average on their wedding. And that figure? It still varies wildly depending on the number of guests, the inclusions, the type of venue, and whether they’re working with professionals or doing more of it themselves.
You could have a very casual wedding for $87,000 with 400 guests, or a luxurious wedding for that same amount with 100. The details matter.
Photography by Midge Edine
What really drives the cost of a wedding?
Here’s the golden truth I shared on air — and I’ll keep saying it until it sinks in:
Weddings don’t blow the budget. People do.
The biggest driver of your wedding costs? Guest numbers.
It’s not the dress. Not the flowers. Not even the styling (though of course, we think that matters). It’s the number of people you’re feeding, watering, and hosting. Catering and bar service typically take up the largest portion of your budget — and the more guests you invite, the more that cost climbs.
This is why it’s crucial to start your planning by setting your guest list and priorities, not just scrolling Pinterest and dreaming big (tempting as that is).
Not all budgets are created equal
Something I touched on in the interview — including in this wedding budget guide — is the importance of comparing budgets on a like-for-like basis.
When someone tells you they spent $30,000 on their wedding, while someone else spent $65,000, it’s not comparing apples with apples.
What are they including in their budget?
Rings?
Honeymoon?
Hen/stag do?
Post-wedding brunch?
Outfits and dry-cleaning?
Venue hire for multiple days?
Purchased items such as jewellery, shoes and decor items?
Some couples will lump all these costs in as part of their wedding budget. Others will track only what’s spent on the wedding day itself. This is why you can’t rely on one figure to define what’s “normal” — it’s all about what’s included and what matters to you.
Tools to take control of your budget
When you’re navigating a sea of price points and Pinterest boards, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Prioritise the things that matter most
Track your spend across categories
Compare quotes
Avoid the "surprise" costs that can sneak in (hello, late-night transport)
And we’re not just talking numbers here — we’re talking strategy. We want you to feel empowered and organised, not lost in the maths.
So... can you get married without breaking the bank?
Yes. A thousand times yes.
But it takes some planning, some boundaries, and a willingness to let go of the pressure to “do it all.”
What matters is creating a celebration that reflects you — not chasing someone else’s idea of a perfect day and not getting flustered with what everyone else is supposebly spending.
Your wedding budget is a tool, not a trap. Use it to guide your decisions, keep communication open with your partner (and any family contributing), and bring your priorities into focus. Whether your ideal day looks like an intimate backyard dinner party or a full-blown marquee celebration, there’s no “right” number to hit.
Want to dive deeper?
And if you're just starting to map out your big day, check out our original budget guide to help you spend smarter - not bigger - Ultimate Wedding Budget Guide
