he number of Australian weddings increased from approximately 78,900 in 2020 to 85,000 in 2021 and an estimated 170,000 in 2022, but the average cost of an Australian wedding has only risen marginally, from $35,298 in 2021 to $36,200 this year so far, according to the Easy Weddings 2022 Annual Wedding Industry Report, which interviewed 4,000 couples. And destination weddings have increased, putting an obstacle in the way of local photographers, with 18% of couples choosing to wed interstate or overseas in 2021. In a sliver of light for wedding photography, the report showed that the most popular wedding supplier categories are reception venues, photographers, and florists. The COVID wedding, though – via Zoom, tiny and private, or eloping – has persisted and whether that is long-lasting is too soon to determine. After a long period of thwarted plans, cancellations, and partial refunds, many couples have accepted a “new normal” for weddings that is less grandiose, less expensive, and more resistant to unwelcome changes. Moreover, COVID put home life at the forefront at a time when housing costs were soaring and job security was diminishing. According to the report, couples have become more aware of what they’re
