For his marriage to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, actor George Clooney reportedly shelled out $US4.6 million for the Venice ceremony.

While mere mortals can only dream of a price tag so hefty, the average Australian couple still splurges, spending around $36,200 on their big day, according to ASIC.

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In order to plan a big day worthy of a Hollywood film without sending yourself broke, it’s time to get creative.

Kim and Kanye’s flower wall. Photo: Instagram

Flowers

Celebrity inspiration: When Kim Kardashian and Kanye West tied the knot, it was against the backdrop of a massive, all-white flower wall. The floral display is believed to have cost around $136,000.

Reality: Most Australians spend around $2896 on flowers and decorations.

Budget tips: If you want the floral look without the price tag, buy in-season flowers to avoid poor quality and exorbitant prices.

Alternatively, invest in great fake flowers that you can keep past the big day or visit farmer’s markets and buy in bulk to get a bargain.

Food

Celebrity inspiration: When actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds got hitched in South Carolina, they enlisted homemaker guru Martha Stewart to handle the food. Stewart went into overdrive, creating a custom dessert bar with mini tarts and cakes and gold foil accents.

Reality: The average Aussie couple forks out $18,683 for catering, venue and alcohol costs.

Blake Lively’s dessert buffer. Photo: Martha Stewart Weddings

Budget tip: One of the biggest money sappers is having a sitdown dinner for all your guests. To save, have a more casual drinks session, an afternoon tea party or even a champagne breakfast with smaller hors d’oeuvres.

If you’d rather stick with a sitdown affair, have family-style food that can be shared.

Keep your attendance numbers to an absolute minimum and don’t be afraid to bargain with your venue to score extras like dessert or free appetizers.

Custom cakes are also a budget drainer, so stick to something fun (albeit less pretty) like a pile of pretty cupcakes or a donut stack.

Photography

Celebrity inspiration: When British model Kate Moss married rocker Jamie Hince, she enlisted famed fashion photographer Mario Testino to capture the moment. The shots went on to appear in American Vogue.

Reality: Most Australians are willing to spend around $3983 on a photographer for the day.

Kate Moss and Jamie Hince. Photo: Mario Testino/Vogue

Budget tip: To ensure not a single moment is missed on your special day, enlist your snap-happy guests to take images on their smartphone and share them on social media with a special hashtag.

If you hire a professional photographer, try to keep their time to a minimum to cut costs. Try to negotiate a lump sum for the day that you are comfortable with.

Alternatively, look for photography students who would love the opportunity – just remember the quality won’t match a pro.

Entertainment

Celebrity inspiration: When Geoffrey Edelsten married his now ex-wife Brynne, he flew Seinfeld star Jason Alexander in to serve as master of ceremonies.

Reality: Australians spend around $2896 on wedding entertainment.

Budget tip: A DJ is generally cheaper than a full band, as are music students. If you’re really on a budget, skip the live entertainment and make a killer playlist on your iPod.

A surprising budget tip from Kanye West is to kindly ask a friend. He organised chart-topping Lana Del Rey to sing as a surprise for his now wife Kim Kardashian at the rehearsal dinner- the singer refused to be paid.

“I would never let a friend pay me to sing at a wedding,” Del Ray told TMZ.

The dress

Celebrity inspiration: Kate Middleton’s stunning long-sleeved gown at the royal wedding was designed by British designer and head of Alexander McQueen fashion house, Sarah Burton. The gown is reportedly valued at over £450,000 ($776,000).

Reality: Most women spend approximately $4271 on a gown.

Budget tip: To keep costs down, borrow accessories like a veil, buy shoes you can wear again, buy off the rack, have a designer dress copy made at a tailor or shop on Ebay.

Additionally, sites like Three Colours White offer secondhand designer dresses in great condition for low prices. 

Kate Middleton. Photo: Getty

Honeymoon

Celebrity inspiration: George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin jetted off to North Island in the Seychelles for their post-marital getaway, staying in accommodation that reportedly cost $5000 a night.

Reality: Most Aussie couples will save for their honeymoon but be limited by expensive flight costs.

Budget tip: To experience luxury without the cost, stay local to avoid flights and spend any extra money on accommodation. If you want to go overseas, plan ahead and save up your frequent flyer points.

Another great idea is to discourage guests from bringing guests and instead tell them to donate money to a ‘Honeyfund’ if they so wish. That way, they’ll fund some of your trip rather than giving you piles of useless appliances.

Venue

Celebrity inspiration: Kim and Kanye chose the 16th-century Florence fortress Fort di Belvedere for their extravagant nuptials. The venue reportedly cost more than $US409,000 for the day.

Reality: Australians spend an average total of $18,683 on venue costs.

Budget tip: To cut back on decorating costs, choose a venue you think is beautiful already – restaurants are ideal. Another key money-saving move is to have an out-of-season wedding to skip peak prices. In Australia, off-season is typically May to July.