The Courier Mail Saturday 16 September 2023 By By Georgia Clelland
Rise in budget-friendly registry weddings amid cost-of-living crisis.
There has been a huge surge in registry weddings in Queensland as happy couples look for cost-effective ways to seal the deal during the cost of living crisis.
It seems love is not only in the air but also on a budget.
“Courthouse weddings” are becoming the go-to for Brisbane couples looking for cost-effective ways to seal the deal during the cost-of-living crisis.
The River City has seen a massive surge in registry weddings, with the Brisbane Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (RBDM) recording a 40 per cent spike in wedding ceremonies during the 2022-23 fiscal year.
The RBDM hosted 1914 ceremonies in the past year, an upsurge that’s prompted it to collaborate with alternative venues including Brisbane Powerhouse to meet the demand for 2024’s most sought-after wedding dates.
Nick Cruickshank and Renae Coutts celebrate saying ‘I do’. Picture: Dallas Love Photography
The RBDM is taking bookings for Brisbane Powerhouse weddings on February 14, 2024, February 19, 2024 and April 24, 2024.
RBDM operations executive manager Renae Webb said couples were looking for dates that were “memorable or a bit unique”, possibly so that anniversary dates could be easily remembered.
“We have seen over the last couple of years that mirror dates have become increasingly popular,” she said.
A mirror date is when the day of the month matches the year, for example 24/04/24.
During 2023, the 23rd of each month has been the most popular date for weddings at the Brisbane registry, with this trend expected to continue into 2024.
The cost-effectiveness of Brisbane Registry weddings has been a significant draw for couples, following cost-of-living increases and inflation.
“Cost of living is a major issue for many Queenslanders at the moment, but our venues mean you don’t have to go broke saying ‘I do,’” Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said.
Prices for a wedding ceremony conducted at the Brisbane registry on a weekday sets couples back just $384.10.
Weekday weddings at the Brisbane registry can cost less than $400.
For a daytime Saturday wedding, couples will need to shell out $499.40, and those wanting to marry on a Friday or Saturday evening wedding, it will cost $658.50.
But the RBDM isn’t the only place bustling with bookings.
Local celebrants who have been catering to smaller, “legal-only” weddings report a similar rise in interest.
Christina Towler, a marriage celebrant who has carved a niche in hosting small pocket-friendly weddings at her home in Ferny Hills, saw her bookings balloon by 30 per cent this year.
“These days, a lot of people already live together, and then they want to own a house as well, and the expenses have definitely increased as well, so that would also be a factor,” she said. “Or they had their wedding pushed back because of Covid and they just want to get married.”
Ms Towler said many of the couples she married opted for a “no frills” option, where the bride, groom and witnesses just sign the legal documents, say “I do” and then go off to have a party.
“There’s a lot of couples who just want to sit down, we have a coffee, literally have a coffee table ceremony, and that is the cheapest option we offer,” she said. “I do the legalities, they kiss, and then we cheer.”
Ms Towler said downsizing the ceremony did not mean downsizing the significance.
“I don’t think that anybody has to compromise to get a beautiful wedding,” she said.