A Sydney bride<\/a> has revealed why she decided to ditch the traditional \u201cbig white wedding\u201d and jump on a growing new trend. She said the decision saved her and her husband tens of thousands of dollars and meant they could afford a house deposit<\/a>.<\/p>\n Annabelle Newell is one of many Aussies opting for smaller wedding ceremonies<\/a> and elopements to save money. The 32-year-old communications manager and her husband Hayden decided against the traditional route after being shocked at quotes for ceremonies in Sydney and Byron Bay.<\/p>\n \u201cI think every couple is surprised at how expensive a wedding is, and just how much certain things cost. It adds up quickly,\u201d Newell said.<\/p>\n RELATED<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cOn average, the venue and food packages we looked at ranged from $35,000 to $45,000. We then had to factor in drinks, accommodation, photography, flowers, decorations and bridal party costs to name a few.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t believe that for the 110 planned guests for our wedding, we would have got much change from $100,000.\u201d<\/p>\n Newell said her and her husband, an accounts manager, earn \u201cdecent wages\u201d but are \u201cfeeling the pinch of cost-of-living pressures<\/a>\u201d like many other Aussies.<\/p>\n \u201cThe price of weddings in Australia, like everything else, has been blown completely out of proportion and that\u2019s not something we wanted to spend our money on,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The couple ultimately decided to elope and had a small ceremony with only their immediate family present in Moorea, French Polynesia.<\/p>\n They then spent a month honeymooning through Italy and later had a party in Sydney to celebrate with their friends and family. In total, she said the festivities cost about $40,000.<\/p>\n \u201cThe actual elopement ceremony and reception dinner for seven cost approximately $6,500,\u201d Newell explained.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe we saved $40,000 and had two celebrations and a honeymoon. We were able to stay in some incredible places, eat and drink whatever we wanted and get each other a small wedding gift<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n With the average Australian wedding estimated to cost between $36,000 and $55,000, it\u2019s easy to see why some Aussies are opting for cheaper alternatives, <\/a>particularly in the current cost-of-living crisis.<\/p>\n Online searches for \u2018how much does it cost to elope\u2019 have increased by 40 per cent, while the term \u2018micro wedding\u2019 skyrocketed 49 per cent, according to research by Australian jeweller Shiels<\/a>.<\/p>\n Costs for micro-weddings can vary too, but Yahoo Finance <\/em>contributor Emma Edwards shared her micro beach wedding<\/a> was just $3,500 in total.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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