Wedding Tax

Let’s talk about something that often causes stress for engaged couples planning their Tasmanian wedding: vendor pricing. You might have heard people complain about the “wedding tax” – that mysterious markup that seems to appear as soon as you mention the word “wedding.” But here’s the thing: creating weddings in Tasmania isn’t like any other industry, and there’s more to those prices than meets the eye.

Why Wedding Planning Feels Different

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about planning your Hobart wedding, you’re not alone. Think about it: you’re likely planning the biggest event you’ve ever organized, bringing together the most people you’ve ever gathered (often flying in from mainland Australia and overseas), and spending more money than you’ve ever spent before. And you’re doing all this in an industry that operates unlike any other, on an island that presents its own unique challenges and opportunities.

The Unique World of Tassie Vendors

Here’s something that might surprise you: the wedding industry in Tasmania is almost exclusively made up of micro to small businesses. In my years of working with wedding vendors across Hobart and greater Tasmania, I’ve met maybe five businesses with more than five staff members or revenues over $500k. When you reach out to a Tasmanian wedding vendor, you’re most likely talking to a local solo operator or a duo/couple who has dedicated their career to making wedding dreams come true in our stunning island state.

The Real Math Behind Wedding Pricing in Tasmania

Wedding creators who do this full-time in Tasmania have to carefully calculate how many weddings they can realistically take on each year, considering our distinct wedding season and travel requirements. The math is surprisingly straightforward:

Annual expenses + annual household income + annual taxes = required income

Then: Required annual income ÷ number of possible weddings = charge per wedding

Simple, right? Well, not quite. Let’s break down what goes into those “expenses” for Tasmanian vendors.

The Hidden Costs

Basic Business Expenses

• Insurance and registration fees (including specific permits for heritage venues like Port Arthur or Salamanca)
• Income taxes and other government fees
• Vehicle costs for traveling across Tasmania’s diverse landscape
• Professional equipment (think $30,000 camera gear or $5,000 PA systems that need to work in both indoor venues and outdoor locations like Freycinet)
• Travel expenses, including ferry costs to Bruny Island, flights to remote locations, and accommodation
• Their own wage from the business

The Invisible Work

• Time spent answering enquiries from couples who don’t book
• Marketing and advertising costs
• Social media management
• Website maintenance
• Time spent experimenting and improving their craft
• Preparation and post-wedding processing time (photographers often spend 1-5 days processing images from a single wedding)

The Human Factor

• Taking proper rest to maintain creativity and energy
• Time off for family and personal life
• The “wedding hangover” - that day after your wedding when we’re completely spent from giving our all
• Regular equipment upgrades and maintenance
• Ongoing education and skill development

Why Quality Wedding Vendors Don’t Come Cheap

Every failed wedding vendor story I’ve encountered usually comes down to one thing: they didn’t charge enough to sustain their business properly. They either burned out, couldn’t maintain their equipment, or weren’t resourced enough to deliver what they promised.

Four Tips for Working with Wedding Vendors

1. Accept that you might not know what things cost
   Most of us don’t know what professional services should cost until we need them. Keep an open mind and ask questions to understand what you’re getting for your money.
2. Show appreciation
   When you receive a quote, remember that someone put time and thought into crafting it for you. A simple acknowledgment goes a long way.
3. Consider value, not just price
   Price always exists within the context of value. What seems expensive at first might be incredibly valuable when you understand everything that’s included.
4. Remember you’re working with humans
   Approach vendors with respect and openness. Instead of saying “You’re too expensive,” try “I appreciate your work - are there ways we could work within my budget?”

A Personal Note from a Hobart Celebrant

Every time someone books me for their Tasmanian wedding, two things happen. First, I feel an immense responsibility to create something truly special for them that captures the essence of our beautiful state. From that moment on, part of my brain is already planning how to incorporate their story with our stunning backdrops, from kunanyi/Mount Wellington to Wine Glass Bay. Second, I feel genuine joy that someone has chosen Tasmania for their special day and trusted me to help bring their vision to life.

The real “wedding tax” isn’t what you pay – it’s the emotional and mental investment that every dedicated Tasmanian wedding vendor pours into making your day absolutely perfect, whether you’re celebrating in a historic Hobart venue, a Tamar Valley vineyard, or on a wild West Coast beach.

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Photo by Hobart wedding photographers, Lu and Lo