Aussie bride, 23, puts her entire $22,000 dream wedding up for sale after calling off engagement and splitting with fiancé: ‘Have it’

A Sydney bride-to-be who called off her engagement is now offering her entire meticulously planned $22,000 wedding to another couple for just $15,000.

The 23-year-old marketing professional, had spent months organising an elaborate summer soiree for 120 guests at the stunning Curzon Hall, north of Sydney, after becoming engaged to her partner of three years.

But after pouring thousands of dollars into the celebration, including a sought-after stylist, photographer, videographer and even a four-horse white carriage, she made the difficult decision to walk away.

The ex-bride-to-be said there was no explosive betrayal or dramatic final straw behind the split. Instead, the young couple realised they just weren’t ready for such a big commitment.

‘I just think we were both too young, and we kind of rushed into it a little bit,’ she told Daily Mail, explaining that she called off the engagement in July, 18 months after her former fiancé popped the question.

The problem was that by the time she reached that realisation, much of her dream wedding was already locked in, with $22,000 in deposits, booking fees and instalments already outlaid.

Rather than accepting the loss, she came up with an unconventional solution to find another couple to take over the entire day by listing the package on Airtasker for $15,000.

The total wedding cost would have amounted to somewhere between $45,000 and $50,000. 

But there is one small catch – the new couple would need to commit to paying the remaining balance in full before saying ‘I do’ themselves. 

The popular platform is an online marketplace that connects people who need jobs or services completed with individuals willing to take them on for a fee.

The $15,000 price tag represents the transferable deposits she had already paid, while another $7000 is already tied up in non-transferable booking fees.

For the couple willing to take it on, much of the exhausting work of planning a wedding has already been done. Food is provided through the venue, while her stylist handles everything from flowers to table settings and the stage.

She had even booked a hair and makeup artist, who initially offered a voucher following the cancellation. She said she would even be willing to pass that booking on, too, if the new bride wanted it.

The catch is that whoever takes over the package would need to marry on the exact same date to retain the bookings.

‘They [the vendors] are obviously firm on the non-refundable element of it, but they’re willing to support me in rebooking the date and then refunding me parts of this.’

But despite losing thousands, she insists the listing isn’t all about clawing back money.

‘I did all of the hard work and arranged everything, and I just want to save someone else the headache of having to do that.’

The bride said the idea came to her after previously using Airtasker and noticing the wide range of unusual requests posted on the platform.

She decided there was no harm in seeing whether a couple searching for a ready-made wedding might stumble across hers.

And while the thought of watching strangers walk into the celebration she painstakingly designed might be difficult for some, she feels surprisingly positive about the prospect.

‘Honestly, it was going to be a beautiful wedding. I’ve spent a lot of time curating it, and I still want someone to have that wedding.

‘I think it deserves to happen.’

The unusual listing has already attracted three offers as well as several enquiries, although she said some prospective buyers dropped away after learning how much money would still be owing to suppliers.

When asked about her wedding dress, she noted that wouldn’t be part of the deal.

The custom-made gown was created specifically to her measurements and, unlike a traditional bridal gown, she believed it would be difficult to pass on to another bride and has decided to keep it.

She had also booked a honeymoon with her former fiancé, but managed to cancel the trip and secure a refund after the airline changed their flight.

And there appears to be no bitter war with her ex over her unusual plan. Her former fiancé knows about the proposed transfer and has been supportive, while her family and friends have also rallied around her decision.

‘Everyone obviously just wants the best for me long-term, and if this is not something I want anymore, then everyone is very accommodating of that.’

Despite the collapse of her engagement, the 23-year-old insists the experience hasn’t turned her off love forever.

Marriage may not be on the cards again anytime soon, but she still believes she will eventually find the right person.

‘I don’t have a sour taste in my mouth about it.’

For other brides and grooms experiencing doubts before walking down the aisle, the experience has taught her the importance of listening to her instincts – even when cancelling comes at an enormous financial cost.

‘I think every situation is different. Sometimes life gets hard… but, if you can feel something in your gut, then definitely go with it.’

*The bride asked to remain anonymous.