When it comes to weddings, new figures show that the average couple in Australia will spend a staggering $65,482 saying ‘I do’.
But one thrifty couple from Bathurst in New South Wales have revealed how they did it for less than a quarter of this price, spending just $2,500 on their intimate garden ceremony for 14 people.
‘Neither of us were interested in a lavish wedding. We wanted the focus to be on our love and the commitment we were making,’ bride Madeleine Clarke, 24, told Daily Mail Australia.
A thrifty couple from Bathurst in New South Wales have revealed how they spent just $2,500 on their intimate garden ceremony for 14 people (pictured)
‘Neither of us were interested in a lavish wedding. We wanted the focus to be on our love and the commitment we were making,’ bride Madeleine Clarke, 24, told Daily Mail Australia (pictured on her wedding day)
Rather than spend months planning out an extravagant do, the couple decided to elope and merely married in front of their closest family and a couple of friends (pictured: the wedding and the guests)
And so, rather than spend months planning out an extravagant do, the couple decided to elope and merely married in front of their closest family and a couple of friends.
‘We loved it and don’t regret how we did our wedding for a moment,’ Madeleine – who was 38 weeks pregnant at the time of the ceremony – told FEMAIL.
‘Our grandparents never had big weddings, but their relationships lasted and they were happy. Eloping is the new way of being traditional. You don’t have to spend thousands to have your dream day.’
And despite the fact that the savvy couple budgeted $5,000, the wedding ended up costing just $2,500.
‘We loved it and don’t regret how we did our wedding for a moment,’ Madeleine – who was 38 weeks pregnant at the time of the ceremony – told FEMAIL (pictured with Matthew)
‘Our grandparents never had big weddings, but their relationships lasted and they were happy. Eloping is the new way of being traditional. You don’t have to spend thousands to have your dream day,’ the bride (pictured with Matthew) said
The couple included plenty of elements of DIY into their wedding, with family and friends pitching in as much as possible to help them to decorate
So how did Madeleine and Michael pull it off?
First of all, they called in some favours and asked as many people for help as possible.
‘We did the garden wedding ceremony at a family member’s property in Millthorpe, New South Wales,’ Madeleine said.
‘Matthew’s father is a minister so he was able to do the marrying.’
Other costs were also kept to a minimum, with both family and friends pitching in where they could.
A friend of the couple’s, Angus Mckern, helped out with their impressive photography, while Madeleine’s mother and step father volunteered to help out with food and drink for the celebration.
‘We kept it to just our parents present, because we both have huge families. I am the eldest of seven and Matthew is the youngest of seven,’ Madeleine said.
‘Initially, when we had thought about inviting everyone in the family we realised how big and ridiculous it was becoming. It was becoming about everyone except us.’
A friend of the couple’s, Angus Mckern , helped out with their impressive photography, while Madeleine’s mother and step father volunteered to help out with food and drink for the celebration
Both Madeleine and Matthew (pictured) said they come from giant families, and when they first added up even just their immediate families they made 40 people – Madeleine is the eldest of seven, while Matthew is the youngest of seven
The couple said they were also keen to keep things simple because Madeleine was pregnant at the time of the wedding and so didn’t want to have to deal with the pressure and stress that comes with dozens of guests
The couple said they were also keen to keep things simple because Madeleine was pregnant at the time of the wedding and so didn’t want to have to deal with the pressure and stress that comes with dozens of guests.
‘It ended up being my mum and dad and their partners, Matthew’s parents and our best friends,’ Madeleine said.
The 24-year-old bride also kept costs down by buying her dress for just $100 from Get Frocked.
‘I found it online and knew it was a complete bargain,’ Madeleine said.
‘But I bought it when I was 28 weeks pregnant and by the time I wore it for the wedding I had completely popped. I ended up buying another Boohoo skirt, which I wore underneath to maintain some dignity.’
The whole outfit came to just $150.
The 24-year-old bride also kept costs down by buying her dress for just $100 from Get Frocked – she was helped by family members with her makeup (pictured)
When it came to the flowers, Madeleine said they spoke to a local florist about how it wasn’t going to be a big wedding, and she said they asked for natives – which they ended up negotiating for half the price.
‘My husband is a chef, working for The Well Fed Catering Company, so we could get a lot of the food at wholesale prices,’ she said.
‘We probably spent about $200 on food all up, and it was delicious.’
They also used decorations from Kmart and Spotlight, while Madeleine’s mum made some of them herself.
Wedding rings cost just $120 and $200 for Madeleine and Matthew respectively.
When it came to the flowers, Madeleine said they spoke to a local florist about how it wasn’t going to be a big wedding, and she said they asked for natives – which they ended up negotiating for half the price
Wedding rings cost just $120 and $200 for Madeleine and Matthew respectively, while many of the decorations came from the likes of Kmart and Spotlight
Speaking about her tips for how other couples can keep the costs down on their big day, Madeleine said you need to seek out the best deals and don’t be afraid to ask for favours.
‘Stick to the day being about you and your partner first and foremost,’ she said. ‘It’s so easy to become about everyone else.’
She also said speak to friends and family, who might love to help out.
‘Ask people,’ she said. ‘The worst they can say is no.’
Speaking about her tips for how other couples can keep the costs down on their big day, Madeleine said you need to seek out the best deals and don’t be afraid to ask for favours
She said: ‘We did it all ourselves and we couldn’t be happier. Our wedding was a true testament to our love. Sweet and unique’ (pictured in her wedding dress and Boohoo skirt)
Madeleine said she, Matthew and their families and friends loved their unique celebration – and they wouldn’t change it for the world.
‘Our friends who got married years ago said they wished they’d done something like it,’ Madeleine said.
‘You just get more time with your guests and it’s more relaxing.’
And while the 24-year-old said there was an element of guilt about leaving out some of their family and friends before the wedding, by the time the day rolled around this had totally dissipated.
‘We did it all ourselves and we couldn’t be happier. Our wedding was a true testament to our love. Sweet and unique,’ she said.