Kiwis preparing to walk down the aisle are getting more creative with how they tie the knot as the cost of living continues to rise, leaving some within the industry concerned about the future.
Among the couples looking for a cheaper way to say ‘I do’ was Maddison Payne and her husband Utiku.
The pair saved money by making their own decorations and having the ceremony on a Wednesday.
“The ceremony was really beautiful. We felt like a real sense of love,” she said.
“The day was still as perfect as we wanted it to be. We probably saved close to $10,000 to $12,000.”
Figures from the Department of Internal Affairs show there were 21,083 weddings last year – almost back to pre-Covid levels.
However, the way in which New Zealanders are getting married is changing.
Weekday ceremonies are becoming more prevalent – up from 41% in 2021 to 46% last year.
Wedding planner Anna Moroz said a larger number of venues and celebrants are adding those days at discounted rates.
Some couples are also making the choice to postpone walking down the aisle, she said.
“People postponing it for a year at least to be able to save for the size of the event that they want.”
Venue owner Rochelle Fleming said there has also been a “real change” in the types of wedding packages on offer.
“There’s a lot more smaller and intimate ceremonies held now; shortened weddings, so what we call our pop-up wedding service that we offer.”
Fleming added that with interest rates on the rise, the focus was more on paying off theirmortgages than having a “lavish, all-inclusive wedding”.
