How to plan a big celebration on a budget (without sacrificing the fun)

Planning a wedding, birthday or big event? Start with a clear budget and savings plan to stay in control and avoid last-minute stress.
Focus on what matters most and cut back where it counts. Small changes like trimming the guest list or simplifying styling can make a big difference.
Tracking your spending with simple tools and smart strategies can help you save along the way, so you can enjoy the celebration without blowing your budget.

Planning a big bash can feel a little overwhelming – especially when you start adding up all the moving parts. According to Easy Weddings’ 2025 Australian Wedding Industry Report, the average Australian couple now spends $35,315 on their wedding, despite originally budgeting $27,455¹. It’s no surprise, then, that most respondents say sticking to a budget is the biggest stressor putting a dampener on the day.

The good news? Putting together a memorable event can be affordable. With a clear plan and a few smart strategies from the experts, it’s possible to enjoy all the bells and whistles without blowing your savings.

Start with a realistic event budget (and a savings plan to match)

Long before you start looking at venues, you’ll need to assess what you can afford without dipping into your emergency savings or home deposit, explains Sangram Rana, director and senior financial advisor at Build My Wealth. “Most people start with an idea of the day rather than a clear number. Once emotions are involved, it makes it more difficult to say no.”

For major milestone events, he states that a sensible savings runway is typically 12 to 24 months. “This allows you to spread the cost across multiple pay cycles instead of relying on debt.” CommBank’s GoalSaver account – which is designed to encourage consistent saving towards a financial goal – can help, rewarding you with a bonus interest rate for making regular deposits each month.

Tip: Planning an event is a great reason to look at whether you meet eligibility criteria for CommBank Yello, a recognition program designed to give customers access to exclusive benefits, cashbacks and discounts.

Smart ways to cut event costs early

Say no to looking at suppliers that fall well outside your budget and use your planning time to negotiate better deals with vendors. The best way to arrive at a great-looking figure? Slash that guest list. “If you can cut 20 guests at $150 each, that’s $3000 saved,” says Rana.

Prioritise your must-haves to avoid overspending

If there’s anyone who understands the desire to have it all, it’s wedding and event planner Kate Hart of Hey Lovers. Before you make a single decision, she recommends taking time to reflect on the most important element of the event. “If food is important to you, spend the bulk of your budget on a quality food experience. Once you’ve allocated that figure to your non-negotiable, you’ll have a realistic read of how much money you have remaining and can spread that out among the less-important elements.”

How to create meaningful moments without blowing the budget

You don’t need to spend big to make things feel thoughtful – you just need a bit of meaning. Try turning a pot luck into a “recipe exchange” where each guest brings a dish with a recipe card to share. And instead of splashing out on decor, buy flowers cheaply at the markets and give them a personal twist. “If you serve a dessert your grandma made, people will connect with the story and suddenly a simple cake feels special,” says Hart.

Reflect on the most important elements

Is DIY cheaper? What to know before hosting an event at home

Got a larger-than-average garden? While there are plenty of ways to save by hosting an event at home, take care not to fall into the trap of assuming a DIY event will be cheaper than hosting it at a venue. “You’re probably thinking you’ll save on food and wine if you do it yourself but you’ll likely have to bring in the infrastructure – a marquee, mobile coolers, waitstaff, toilets, decorations, extra lighting, furniture – and those costs add up quickly,” says Hart. “You’ll also need to keep an eye on fees that sit behind the products you’re buying or hiring, such as delivery, set-up and pack-down fees.”

Hosting an event on a weeknight, like a Sunday or Thursday can be cheaper for bells-and-whistles venues but also consider less traditional venues like libraries or surf life saving clubs.

How to reduce catering and venue costs

Reduce the cost of food and beverages (the bulk of most party budgets) by hosting your event post-lunchtime or late evening. Got friends who are talented florists, musicians or bakers? Enlisting the help of loved ones who can donate their time in lieu of a gift will not only give your event a special touch, it could shave hundreds – if not thousands – off your final bill.

"The trick is to keep everything in perspective and remember the real reason you’re celebrating."

Enlist loved ones to donate their time

How to avoid social media pressure when planning an event

In a world where new celebrations, such as bridesmaid-announcement parties, are picking up speed and first birthdays are being styled like mini-weddings, it’s easy to feel pressured to compete with what you see online. Social media creates a highlight reel of bespoke signage, personalised favours and elaborate themes that look stunning – and the costs add up fast. The trick is to keep everything in perspective and remember the real reason you’re celebrating.

A beautiful event doesn’t need monogrammed napkins, custom neon lights or a handmade detail for every guest. You can embrace a theme and create memorable touches – just decide early on what truly matters and skip the rest. Often, it’s the simple, thoughtful details (great music, warm lighting, one or two stand-out styling moments) that make the biggest impact, not an overload of extras.

Low-cost alternatives to trendy event extras

Online invitations and digital platforms for event information eliminate the need for costly stationery. You can also create a Spotify playlist and hire the perfect dress at sites like The Volte for a fraction of the price of buying one. And if you love a theme, consider a colour palette rather than a hyper-specific concept – it’s far cheaper to execute and still looks stylish.

Hire the perfect dress instead of buying

Track your event spending with budgeting tools

While cutting loose is great for a party, vigilance is key when it comes to planning an event you’ll remember for all the right reasons. “Without a simple way to track spending, people are essentially guessing and usually overspending,” says Rana.

Money Plan in the CommBank app allows you to track spending by category, letting you know where your money is going on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. And you can view your cash flow and compare total spending against your income for the same period.

Need a cash injection? A dedicated savings account is the foundation for boosting that all-important figure, says Rana. “Higher-interest savings accounts or short term deposits can add a boost if your timeframe is at least 12 months. And if you already have a home loan, saving for the event in your offset account can be effective because every dollar sitting there reduces the interest payable on the mortgage.”

Ways to boost your event savings fund

Rana recommends cutting discretionary spending in the lead-up to your event. “Redirecting a bit of money each month from less important expenses into the event fund over a year or two can make a difference.”

Published: 1 April 2026