Question 1

How much does a wedding cost in Australia?

Accepted Answer

The average Australian wedding costs between $30,000 and $36,000, but costs vary enormously — from under $10,000 for a small ceremony to $80,000+ for a large celebration. The biggest cost drivers are venue, catering, and guest numbers. Use the Budget Planner to map out your wedding costs category by category and find where you can make the biggest savings.

Question 2

How does getting married affect your taxes in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Marriage itself doesn't change how you're taxed — Australians are taxed as individuals, not as couples. However, it can affect your eligibility for the Medicare Levy Surcharge (assessed on family income), private health insurance rebates, government benefits, and super beneficiary nominations. It's worth reviewing all of these with your partner after getting married.

Question 3

Should we combine finances when we get married?

Accepted Answer

There's no legal requirement to combine finances in Australia. Many couples use a hybrid approach: keep individual accounts for personal spending, plus a shared account for joint expenses (rent, utilities, groceries) and a joint savings account for shared goals like a home deposit. The key is to have an explicit conversation about how you'll manage money together before the wedding.

Question 4

Do we need to update our superannuation after getting married?

Accepted Answer

Yes — marriage is a trigger event to review your super beneficiary nominations. If you have a binding death benefit nomination, it may have lapsed or may not reflect your new spouse as your intended beneficiary. Contact your super fund to update your nomination. Also review any life insurance inside super to ensure the benefit is adequate for your new household.

Question 5

How much should we save before getting married?

Accepted Answer

There's no fixed target, but financial planners typically recommend covering the full wedding cost from savings (not debt), having a 3-month emergency fund as a couple, and ideally having started saving toward your first home deposit if that's a goal. The Savings Goal Calculator can help you work out a realistic timeline based on your combined savings capacity.

💍Getting Married

Budget Planner