The wedding tax, explained by a wedding taxman. Me – Josh Withers. On the road to Weddingvendorville, before you start booking wedding vendors, we have to talk about how the wedding industrial complex is unlike other wedding industries. It’s so much better and so very unique. That’s why I’ve put together “Understanding “The Wedding Tax” for The Planning Issue.

Image: Bulb Creative with The Elopement Collective 

You see when two lovebirds decide to tie the knot, they’re usually stepping into uncharted territory – organising the biggest shindig of their lives, rounding up a mob of mates and relatives from far and wide, and spending a pretty penny in the process. And, they’re doing it all in an industry that’s a real one-of-a-kind! You might’ve heard people carry on about the so-called “wedding tax,” but they’re missing the bigger picture. Crafting a ripper of a wedding and running a business in this unique industry is no easy feat, and it deserves to be valued and celebrated because we value and celebrate you and your marriage.

Wedding professionals had a rough trot during the pandemic – our expertise in creating top-notch weddings isn’t something you can just waltz into any 9-to-5 job with, many of us tried. You’d think the corporate events scene might be a walk in the park, but, it’s a whole different kettle of fish! Those big corporate conferences and events have budgets that’ll make your eyes pop, and the suppliers have to jump through hoops to please the big guns and lawyers. We’re talkin’ massive quotes, purchase orders, catering for a small army, and so on. It’s enough to give you a newfound appreciation for the scale of those events.

But when it comes to your own special day, surrounded by 50 to 150 of your nearest and dearest, you’re not looking to put on a show like that. No way! You’re after a warm, intimate celebration that’s all about you and your partner, an intimate and personal wedding.

Images: Luke Fletcher with The Elopement Collective

Here’s the thing about the wedding biz: it’s chock-a-block with small-time operators, and that’s a good thing! In my 15 years of rubbing shoulders with wedding vendors, I’ve only come across a handful that were bigger than a couple of people and raking in more than $500k annually. So, when you reach out to a wedding vendor, chances are you’ll be chatting with a solo artist or dynamic duo. The person answering the phone or email is the one showing up on the day.

Now, I’ll say this with no apologies: don’t settle for a wedding vendor who’s just dabbling in the game. Your big day deserves a dedicated pro who’s fully committed to making your dream wedding a reality! So, go on and find yourself a true-blue wedding artist who’ll make your special day a corker to remember!

Full-time wedding creators are limited in the amount of output they can bring to market each year. They’ve done their own maths and come to an understanding that with all of the associated work, they might be able to create 15, 30, or 80 weddings a year. They know their expenses and they have an income goal for their household, so it’s a simple calculation of:

  • Annual expenses + annual household income + annual taxes = annual required income.
  • Then: Annual income/number of weddings I can do a year = charge per wedding.

I’ve very much over-simplified the process, and each business and each category of wedding creator will have their own specific way of pricing themselves, but that equation is a good start to understanding the pricing of wedding services.

Image:  Bulb Creative / With The Elopement Collective

All The Expenses

Running a wedding biz isn’t a walk in the park, and there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. Let’s start with the nitty-gritty: insurance, registration, taxes, vehicles, maintenance, fuel – you name it! Then there’s the cost of the gear, like a fancy $30,000 camera or a $5,000 PA system, not to mention travel, accommodation, and all those other bits and bobs.

But wait, there’s more! What about the time spent responding to emails, taking calls, and meeting with potential clients who might not even book you? Or the dosh spent on marketing, advertising, and making sure you’re found online? Those are all part of the game, too.

And let’s not forget about the cost of being an artist. You need time to experiment, play, and create – and that doesn’t happen overnight. Plus, there’s all the work that goes into prepping for a wedding, and the post-wedding tasks, like editing photos and videos. Quality takes time, mate.

On top of all that, there’s the cost of staying sane and keeping our cool before and during your wedding. We need some time off to recharge our batteries, spend time with our loved ones, and make sure we’re at our best for your big day. Trust me, you don’t want us running on empty when it’s time to create magic for you.

Images (T-B): Joshua Mikhaiel / Jason Corroto // Both with The Elopement Collective

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: failed wedding vendors. They might’ve burned out, had dodgy gear, or just didn’t have the resources to deliver the goods. But at the end of the day, their biggest mistake was not charging enough to operate at the level they should’ve. That’s right, the guys we see in the news went out of business because they didn’t charge enough and/or couples wouldn’t pay what that businesses needed to charge ro survive.

I’m all for helping you find the best deal for your wedding, but let’s keep these four things in mind:

1. You might not know the real cost of things. And that’s okay! Do your research, compare prices, and make sure you’re comparing apples to apples.
2. Acknowledge and appreciate the value each vendor offers. If you get two very different quotes, remember there are reasons for the difference, and take the time to respond with gratitude.
3. Consider the value each vendor brings to the table. If their offerings align with what you’re looking for, it might be worth the price.
4. Remember, you’re dealing with humans. They’re more flexible than you think, as long as you treat them with respect and understanding.

When someone books me for their wedding, I feel the weight of responsibility to create something extraordinary. I spend months thinking about their special day, even when I’m spending time with my own family. And when my work resonates with someone, it brings me immense joy.

I reckon most wedding vendors feel the same way. So, when you hear about the “wedding tax,” remember it’s more about the emotional and mental investment we make in your big day, rather than something you’re paying for. So, let’s embrace the adventure and create a wedding that’ll be the talk of the town!

Image: Luke Fletcher with The Elopement Collective

About Josh Withers: Josh Withers creates epic marriage ceremonies for adventurous couples. He is a fun-loving, cheeky, and creative wedding celebrant who loves to make weddings memorable and meaningful. Josh believes that weddings are not just about signing papers and saying vows, but about celebrating the unique story and personality of each couple. He crafts a ceremony that reflects your style, values, and sense of humour. Josh is based on the Gold Coast, Australia, but travels around the world every week to officiate awesome weddings.

He has performed weddings in New Zealand, Fiji, Bali, Canada, Iceland, Europe, and the USA. Josh is also a podcaster, blogger, speaker, and author on all things wedding-related. He is passionate about helping couples plan their dream weddings without stress or drama. If you are looking for a wedding celebrant who will make you laugh, cry, and smile all at the same time, look no further than Josh Withers.