Short answer? Sometimes.
But often, that question is missing the point.

After years working inside the wedding industry, across elopements, intimate ceremonies and luxury celebrations, one thing becomes clear: weddings only feel like a waste of money when they’re planned without intention.

At Honey Weddings, we don’t see weddings as a single expensive day. We see them as a collection of moments that, if preserved well, become part of a couple’s shared history.

So let’s talk honestly.

Why People Say Weddings Are a Waste of Money

Most couples don’t regret celebrating love.
They regret why they spent — not that they spent.

From what we’ve observed working with couples across Melbourne, Australia and beyond, the frustration usually comes from:

Social pressure to follow a “wedding formula”
Spending to impress guests rather than honour the couple
Paying for things that add little emotional value
Comparing their day to Pinterest or Instagram weddings

When money follows expectation instead of meaning, regret shows up later.

The Difference Between a Cost and an Investment

Here’s an uncomfortable truth most blogs won’t say out loud:

Flowers fade. The cake is eaten. The music stops.
But your photos and your film are what remain.

This isn’t marketing language — it’s reality we’ve seen play out repeatedly.

Couples rarely say:

“I wish we hadn’t documented this.”
They often say:
“I’m so glad we didn’t cut this.”

Because memory is fragile.
And weddings move fast.

What Actually Feels Like a “Waste” (Years Later)

From real-world experience, couples are most likely to regret:

Overspending on decor that didn’t reflect them
Rigid traditions they didn’t believe in
Guest lists driven by obligation
Cutting corners on documentation and audio

What almost never feels wasted?

Honest photography
Cinematic film with real sound and vows
Professionals they trusted
Freedom to design a day that felt personal

Proof That There’s No “Right Way” to Spend

We’ve seen couples take radically different paths — and be equally happy.

Some choose secret elopements, like Paige & Mufaro, prioritising autonomy and meaning over spectacle.

Others embrace rich family traditions, like Rebecca & Liam, honouring culture while still telling a deeply personal story.

The difference isn’t the budget.
It’s ownership of the decision.

So… Are Weddings a Waste of Money?

A wedding becomes a waste of money when:

You spend to meet expectations that aren’t yours
You measure value only in price, not meaning
You forget that the day is temporary, but memory is permanent

A wedding is not a waste of money when:

It reflects who you are
You invest in what lasts
You choose with intention, not pressure

The Question Worth Asking Instead

Not “Is a wedding worth the money?”
But:

“What parts of this day will still matter to us in 10, 20, 30 years?”

Spend there.

That’s not waste.
That’s legacy.

Want a Wedding That Feels Worth It?

If you want your day to feel intentional, personal, and remembered for what truly matters, fill out the form below. Share a few details and we’ll be in touch with the next steps.

Are Weddings a Waste of Money?