JOY Drive

10 Apr 2025

Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne: Wedding Costs

Consumer Affairs, Kids & Family, Social Media, Society & Culture

A wedding meant church, flowers, a nice lunch, and maybe a few speeches. But today? There are drones, content creators, and sometimes two dresses.

Social media lit up when a podcast clip claimed the average Australian wedding costs $36,000. Some said, “That’s way too low!” Others laughed and said, “That’s just the bridal shower!”

So what is the real story? And how have weddings changed in the age of cost-of-living pressure, TikTok trends, and shrinking guest lists?

Guest: Lauren Rosewarne, Associate Professor in Public Policy, Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne

Presenter: Warren Andrew

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:34 — 17.3MB)

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26 Jan 2026

Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne: Why We’re Pushing Back Against Perfect Faces

Fashion & Beauty, Popular Culture, Society & Culture

After years of smooth, interchangeable faces on screens, something is shifting. Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne unpacks why expressive, readable faces ...

26 Jan 2026

Dr Dee Tomic: Work Participation, Inequality and Feeling Safe at Work

Careers, Psychology, Society & Culture

Work participation isn’t just about skills or effort; it’s shaped by whether workplaces feel safe, welcoming and secure. Dr Dee ...

26 Jan 2026

Nicole Rich: What Renters and Donors Need to Know After a Disaster

Consumer Affairs, Finance, Law, Personal Safety, Society & Culture

After bushfires and other disasters, everyday rules around renting, repairs and donations can quickly become unclear. Nicole Rich outlines renter ...