Tying the knot is becoming more expensive every year, but experts say many couples are putting unnecessary pressure on themselves in a bid to keep up with weddings seen on reality TV. According to Easy Weddings, the average cost to hire a wedding venue in Sydney is $16,000, but Aussies are spending more and more on their big day, influenced by smash shows such as Married At First Sight . There was a wide range of venues featured on this year’s season of MAFS, ranging from the swanky Town Hall to cozy and intimate venues tucked in NSW’s Southern Highlands.
While the venues themselves were picturesque, they were further decorated with elaborate floral arrangements, with live music ensembles and deluxe food options adding an extra wow factor for guests. Marriage celebrant Bec Page, who helped Sierah and Billy get “married” in this year’s season, said the reality show was driving couples to go all out with their weddings, and setting unrealistic expectations for their own big days. “MAFS isn’t making weddings more expensive, it’s making couples dream bigger (and maybe spend bigger),” she said.
If anything, MAFS wasn’t responsible for “driving up wedding costs”. Instead, “it’s driving up expectations” for couples. Ms Page told NewsWire an appearance on a reality TV show would play little role in a wedding venue’s costs.
“Jacking up your prices because you were on MAFS isn’t business - it’s cashing in on 15 minutes of fame,” she told NewsWire.
