The Bride Wants Truffles, Not Trifle

Sun Herald

Sunday January 30, 2005

By HOLLY BYRNES

WITH gourmet tastes and bigger budgets, Sydney's bridezillas have been booking up the city's leading restaurants for their wedding parties and putting rubber-chicken reception venues out of business.

Savvy couples who are leaving it until later in life to marry are using their higher disposable incomes to cut down on numbers but are spending more on fine-dining options for their wedding guests.

Harbourside restaurants have reported a booming trade of brides and grooms, who don't stop at just the proposal dinner but return to tie the knot and celebrate in style.

Latest research by Bride To Be magazine has found Australian couples are spending an average of $9166 on their wedding receptions, including venue hire, catering and alcohol.

It has been a bonanza for the fickle restaurant industry, which can offer their venues and catering expertise at off-peak times, while keeping the door open to regular trade.

"In the past restaurants were a little reticent to close for a wedding, as they were afraid of its impact on their regular customers, but now some are making dedicated areas wedding function-friendly so they can hire out even on the busiest nights," said Bride To Be's editor, Amelia Bloomfield.

Melanie Clifford, functions and events manager for Aria restaurant at Circular Quay, said couples were opting for more intimate receptions, minus the fuss.

"Couples can have the whole wedding in the same place, where they know guests will be safe and sound. It's intimate and there's none of the hoo-ha associated with other reception venues," Ms Clifford said.

Aria has opened its private dining room for small wedding parties, its main dining area at off-peak times and can arrange the ceremony itself on the restaurant's harbourside terrace.

Aqua Dining at East Circular Quay has put a price of $11,000 on its restaurant, offering cocktails for 100 guests or a three-course meal for 80 people, a spokeswoman said.

Glenn Findlay, managing director of the Australian Bridal Service, said couples' "gourmet tastes" had threatened staid reception operators who were still serving traditional fare.

MARRIAGE IN AUSTRALIA

* 5.4 marriages registered annually per 1000 head of population. In 1942 it was 12 marriages per 1000.

* Median age for first marriage: men 29, women 27.1.

* In 66 per cent of marriages the groom is older than the bride.

Source: Bureau of Statistics' Year Book Australia 2005

© 2005 Sun Herald

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