A wedding in Cairns can cost far less than a traditional wedding at home, or far more, depending on your guest list, venue and how much you choose to include. As Cairns wedding planners for 22+ years, we’ve planned everything from two-person elopements to large celebrations on the beach. This guide gives you real 2027 price ranges, explains what drives the cost, and shows you how to make your budget go further.
Quick answer: how much does a Cairns wedding cost?
For 2027 weddings, our all-inclusive packages start at about $7,400 for an elopement, $13,600 for a micro wedding for 10 guests and $15,400 for a ceremony and beachfront lunch for 10 guests, rising to $28,800 or more for a beachfront dinner wedding for 45 guests. All prices are in AUD and include GST.
| Wedding style | Group size | 2027 price from | Example package |
| Ceremony only (bring your own suppliers) | any | $2,200 | Pure Hilton, Sunday–Thursday |
| Elopement | 2–20 | $7,400 | Hilton Elopement |
| Micro wedding | 2–20 | $13,600 | Alamanda or Hilton Micro Magic (10 guests) |
| Ceremony and lunch | 10–45 | $15,400 | Love & Lunch (10 guests) |
| Ceremony and private dinner | 2–30 | $19,200 | Intimate Moments (10 guests) |
| Ceremony and beachfront dinner | 10–45 | $19,990 | Alamanda Romance (10 guests) |
| Wedding and Great Barrier Reef “minimoon” | 2–6 | $11,990 | Reef & Romance |
Prices are for Sunday–Thursday weddings (Friday and Saturday cost more). Guest numbers above the base group are charged per head.
What’s included in these prices?
Our packages are all-inclusive, so most of the things couples budget separately are already covered:
- A dedicated wedding planner and day-of coordination
- A civil celebrant and legal paperwork support
- Exclusive use of the Alamanda or Hilton chapel
- Professional photography (2–4 hours, depending on the package)
- Bridal bouquet and buttonhole
- Bridal hair and make-up
- Ceremony music and sound
- Reception venue, catering, table styling, cake and an MC run sheet (in the packages that include a reception)
See our all-inclusive wedding packages, elopement packages and micro wedding packages for full inclusions. These packages are flexible and can be customised to your exact requirements.
What affects the cost of a Cairns wedding?
1. Guest count
Guest count is the biggest driver. For example, a Love & Lunch wedding in 2027 costs $15,400 for 10 guests, $19,830 for 30 and $22,365 for 45, because catering and venue costs scale with the group. Micro Magic adds a set amount per extra guest instead (about $173 at Alamanda and $128 at the Hilton).
2. Day of the week
Weekday weddings cost less. Alamanda Romance for 30 guests is $25,485 Sunday to Thursday and $27,985 on Friday or Saturday. Some packages, such as Intimate Moments and both elopements, run Monday to Thursday only.
3. Time of year
Our packages carry a discount for weddings between 1 November and 30 April, which is the off-peak months. The discounts range from $500 on elopements to $750 on micro weddings and $1,000 on Love & Lunch and Alamanda Romance. Peak wedding dates (May to October) are the most popular and book 6–12 months ahead.
4. Venue and setting
Alamanda Great Barrier Reef Chapel (Palm Cove) and Hilton Blue Horizon Chapel (Cairns waterfront) are priced differently, and a reception on the beach at Nu Nu, in a private Hilton function room or at Pullman Sea Temple will change the total.
5. Extras
Add-ons such as helicopter flights, extended photography, live music or a Great Barrier Reef day (Reef & Romance) move the budget up.
6. Public holidays and your wedding year
A 10% service charge applies to weddings on public holidays. Prices in our current brochure cover weddings in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
Hidden costs to budget for
Even with an all-inclusive package, plan for things that sit outside it:
- Guest travel and accommodation (our Alamanda packages include 15% off accommodation at Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore)
- Your own travel to Cairns, plus any time off work
- Wedding attire, rings and gifts
- Extra photography, video or entertainment beyond what’s included
- Honeymoon or minimoon
- Travel insurance and wedding insurance
Is a destination wedding in Cairns cheaper than a traditional wedding?
Often, yes, but it depends on how you compare it. Two things push the cost down: a smaller guest list, and an all-inclusive package that replaces a dozen separate quotes. On the other side, you and your guests pay for travel. For many couples, the saving on a smaller celebration, plus a planner who knows the venues and suppliers, outweighs the travel.
Read more in our posts on destination weddings vs traditional weddings and why a destination wedding is worth the money.
How to make your Cairns wedding budget go further
- Set your total budget first, then choose your guest count.
- Choose a weekday to save on Friday and Saturday premiums.
- Book between November and April to use the off peak discount, and ask your planner about our wet-weather plans.
- Keep the guest list small. A micro wedding of 10–30 gives you the same ceremony and meal with fewer moving parts.
- Go ceremony only. If you already have a photographer and florist you love, our ceremony-only packages start at $2,200 (Hilton) or $2,600 (Alamanda) for 2027 weddings.
- Book early. Your wedding won’t get any cheaper, and availability won’t get any better than it is today.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wedding cost in Cairns?
For 2027, all-inclusive packages start at about $7,400 for an elopement and about $13,600 for a micro wedding, and rise with guest count and venue. See the table above.
Is a destination wedding cheaper than a traditional wedding?
Usually, if you keep the guest list small and choose an all-inclusive package, although guest travel is an extra cost.
Are planning fees extra?
No. Your dedicated wedding planner is included in our packages, apart from the ceremony-only options, which suit couples with their own suppliers.
When should I book?
Book at least 6–12 months ahead for peak season (May–September) and 2–6 months ahead for off-peak dates.
Do the prices include GST?
Yes. All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST.
Get a quote for your Cairns wedding
Tell us your date, guest count, and the kind of day you want, and our planners will recommend the best package for your budget, or customise one just for you. Download the brochure or get in touch.
