How much do weddings cost in South Australia? (2026 update)

Weddings can be complicated & difficult to budget once those quotes start flooding your inbox

You will start to question which quotes are value for money, and which are not. Trust me, I have gone through it all myself, not to mention the fact I have been working in the industry for longer than Google has existed!

So, before you start spending hours emailing service providers, read this, to hopefully give yourself a bit of a heads-up perspective.

First up, according to the Easy Wedding’s annual report for 2026, the average wedding in Adelaide costs just under $34.888 and the average for Australia is just over $38,252. However this is only an average and many of my clients have had beautiful weddings on budgets less than half that, so please, don’t feel discouraged. Your perfect wedding doesn’t have to personally keep the entire wedding industry financially afloat….

I have been in the Wedding industry as a Hair and Makeup artist since 1999 and I have great access to many different brides all over Adelaide. If you’re curious about the unique Australian wedding traditions you might see on the big day, check out our dedicated guide. If you’re curious about the wedding traditions behind the day itself, we have a full guide on what they really mean. Not only that, I planned my very own wedding, so the averages I have collated have come from my own research, Easy Wedding’s annual report and that of my clients. Please keep in mind though, they are averages and there are always so many variables that can influence the costs.  Your choice of day or season for example, can greatly affect the price. Winter is often cheaper than summer. Weekdays are often cheaper than Friday, Saturday or Sundays.

Reception Venues

$80-$120 per person for a cocktail style menu
$120-$200 per person for sit down multi-course meal

Some venues also have other fees, such as hire fee, security and decoration options.

Around $17,433 total Reception venue cost in SA according to the Easy Wedding Annual for 2026. (Average= 85 guests)

Ceremony Venues

$500 – $2500

If you have your ceremony and reception at the same place, you often get your ceremony costs complimentary, or up to half price off at many venues.

Celebrant

$700 – $1500

This generally includes all legalities, and sound equipment too.

Photography

$2500 – $6500 The average in SA is around $3400.

Now, in my opinion, this is one of the most important elements of your wedding. Because at the end of the day, your photos are what you have left to help you remember.  This is one provider, I do not recommend skimping on.

Videography

$2500 – $6000  The average in SA is around $3100.

Another provider not to skimp on, but many people don’t want video. If it’s your thing, this type of price range is what you are looking at. Price will mostly depend on how many hours you want filmed.

Makeup

$120-$350 per person

With fear of sounding biased here…. There are a lot of amateurs out there, so please do your research. I have done too many post wedding photo-shoots, because brides have hated their makeup in the photos. For tips on finding the perfect mobile bridal hair and makeup artist in Adelaide, see our full guide. This costs a fortune to fix, so please, check your artist’s credentials and work before you book. Don’t book based on price. Honestly, it will save you regret and cost in the long run. It’s also worth understanding the difference between professional makeup and commercial makeup before your wedding day.

Hair

$80-$200 per person

Some in-salon hairdressers do Bridal hair styling as well, or you can book a specialist stylist to come to you at your house or hotel, it’s up to you which is more convenient. We come to you, so you don’t need to worry about travel.

Hair and Makeup Packages

$200-$550 per person

This often saves you money, time and complications and it makes it easier to pay just one provider.

DJ/Music

$800 – $2500 The average in Adelaide is around $1600.

A good DJ will also have great MC talents too, to get things going if the party has any quiet moments. But you also have the option of having a live band, or a singer there, creating your perfect atmosphere

Florist

$200- $500 Bride bouquet   $120-$250 per Bridesmaid bouquet.

Obviously depending on size and type of flowers you want, in relation to the season too. Out of season flowers may cost more, due to importing costs.

Cars

$600-$2000

This will depend on the type of car and how long you will need it for. Your other option is Uber/taxi, or get someone who has a nicer car than yours to be the car supplier and driver.  I used my own little ’98 Rav4 along with my cousin-in-law’s parent’s very cool Black Belair; Think “Supernatural” TV show vibes! Very cool!

Wedding Dress

$1000 – $6000 for pre-made  OR    $100-$1000 for second hand dresses
$5000 – $12,000 for tailor made

If you go shopping during stocktake and January sales, you can enhance your chances of snapping up a bargain. I saw a stunning dress for as little as $250!!

Wedding dress Alterations

$300 – $1000

This will depend on what alterations you need. The bigger the changes the more it will cost.

Bridesmaids dresses and Suits

$200-600 per Bridesmaid dress        $200-$400 Suit hire for the Groom and Groomsmen (Most men hire their suits)

I did get a quote for $900 per bridesmaid dress, which I thought was a little ridiculous. I am getting mine made by my aunty, and was lucky enough to get the fabric from Spotlight on a 40% off day, so the fabric for 4 dresses cost me around $400, including Guipure Lace! However most tailored dresses do tend to be more expensive.

Invitations

$9-$15 per invitation

You can also buy pre-made invitation pads at news agencies for around $10-$15 for sheets of around 25-40. So that might be a cheaper alternative if you’re on a budget.

Cakes

$400 – $1200 The SA average is $605

The more tiers you have, the more the cost. Fake cakes are a little cheaper at around $200-$400.

Wedding Hire/Furniture

$2170 is the SA average according to Easy Weddings Annual report 2026

Keep in mind, this category can include chairs, arbours, lighting, tables, tableware, chairs sashes and much more.

Photobooths

$600 – $1350  The average in SA is around $970.

Photobooths are so much fun. I had one for our reception and everyone loved it!! It also meant we got a photo album with messages and the photos from the guests having fun.

So there you have it.  Now I realise there are many other things that you will need to organise, but these are the most essential, or most common providers.  When shopping around, you want a good deal, and you don’t want to get ripped off.  Keep in the mind, the best price is the price that is fair for both you and the person doing the work. Don’t forget, they have bills to pay too.

There are some brilliant gems to be found and great bargains to be had. If you’re looking for a professional makeup artist or mobile hair and makeup team in Adelaide, check out our homepage. So, no matter what the quote you get, do your RESEARCH, get multiple quotes for each provider and you should be fine.

Your wedding day, is not just one day. It’s the lead up and the party planning too, so enjoy the process and the party, celebrating your new life.

I also have other wedding blogs, 2 of which relate to costs. One is about how to plan a wedding on a budget and the other on hidden wedding costs, so please read those too, so your budget doesn’t blow over the top. The links are below.

https://makeoversaust.com.au/tips-for-brides/budget-saving-wedding-tips

https://makeoversaust.com.au/tips-for-brides/hidden-wedding-costs