Aussies still splashing out

Australian couples continue to defy the tough economic times, spending up big on lavish nuptials, a bridal magazine has found. The economic downturn hasn't dampened the bridal spirit with the average cost of tying the knot $49,202, an increase of 25 per cent in the past three years, Bride to Be says.

The magazine's Cost of Love report, investigating the financial repercussions of romance, found couples are turning away from the traditional, splashing out to make their big day more personal.

"There's no recession in bridal town," Bride to Be acting editor Jacqui Mooney said. "It's about quality not quantity with couples lavishing more money on fewer guests."

Couples are spending an average $10,476 on their receptions, inviting 97 guests at $108 per head, the magazine's online poll of 1,007 couples found. Less than a third choose to tie the knot in a church, with more than half opting for outdoor civil ceremonies "in a setting that's significant to them as a couple".

"Couples are older now at the age of first marriage, they're more sophisticated and well travelled so they're really taking control of their day," Ms Mooney said. "They see it as a significant life experience and they want to invest heavily so that they can have the day that reflects their personal taste."

There's a growing trend toward destination weddings with more than a third of couples marrying interstate and almost one in 10 (nine per cent) making their vows overseas.

The average spend on the all-important white dress is up from $1,900 in 2006 to $2,220. However, 36 per cent of women are paying between $2,000 and $4,000 for their gown, while 12 per cent splurge in excess of $4,000.

Ms Mooney said the groom's style had become just as important in recent times. "It's about what the boys are wearing as well as the girls," she said. "One in five grooms are even having skin and hair treatments in the lead-up to the big day."

While couples are spending three times more on wedding decorations, Ms Mooney says they haven't lost sight of what's important.

"When we asked brides what was most important to them on the day, half of the ladies said it was all about committing to her partner and celebrating their love in front of their closest family and friends," she said.

More than 116,000 couples tied the knot in Australia in 2006.