Last updated:
Written by:
Lewis Wood
Planning a wedding in the UK means facing one big question early on: how much does a wedding cost? Wedding prices can feel confusing when you're just starting to plan. Getting a clear picture of real costs helps you make better decisions and avoid financial stress.
The average cost of a wedding in the UK in 2025 is £20,822, and this figure rises to £26,583 when you include the engagement ring and honeymoon. This number gives you a starting point, but your actual costs will depend on your choices about location, guest count, and which elements matter most to you.
Understanding where your money goes makes planning easier. This guide breaks down typical wedding expenses, shows you costs you might miss, and helps you create a budget that works for your situation. You'll learn what different wedding elements actually cost and how to manage your spending without giving up the celebration you want.
Average Cost of a Wedding in the UK
The cost of a wedding in the UK varies significantly based on multiple factors including location, guest count, and the day you choose to celebrate. Current data shows the average cost of a uk wedding sits around £20,822. This figure can shift substantially depending on your specific choices and circumstances.
Typical Price Range for UK Weddings
The average cost of a wedding in the UK in 2025 is £20,822. This figure rises to £26,583 when you include the engagement ring and honeymoon.
However, wedding costs span a wide range. About 26% of couples spend less than £10,000 on their wedding, with 10% spending £5,000 or under. At the opposite end, the top 10% of weddings cost more than £38,000, while the top 25% exceed £27,000.
Gen Z couples typically spend less than other age groups. Their average wedding cost comes in at £19,095, compared to £21,255 for non-Gen Z couples. These younger couples often embrace second-hand items and creative alternatives to reduce expenses while maintaining personalization.
Your guest count directly impacts how much you'll spend. Weddings with fewer than 30 guests typically cost under £10,000. Those with 150 or more guests average over £36,000.
Regional Variations in Wedding Costs
Where you get married significantly affects your total wedding costs. London remains the most expensive region at £28,629, which is 31% higher than the next most expensive area. Supplier costs in London typically run 25% above the national average.
The most budget-friendly regions are the East Midlands at £16,788 and Wales at £18,368. Central England areas offer the lowest costs overall. Yorkshire and the Humber features supplier costs about 12% below the national average.
Other regional costs include South East England at £22,644, South West England at £21,921, North West England at £18,408, and Scotland at £18,617. Northern Ireland sits at £18,300, while the West Midlands comes in at £18,738.
Key Factors Influencing UK Wedding Prices
The day of the week you choose affects your costs considerably. Sunday weddings are now the most expensive at £25,942, followed by Saturday at £21,950. Midweek weddings on Monday and Wednesday offer the best value at £15,989 and £16,446 respectively.
Your wedding month matters too. September is the most expensive month at £22,022, followed by June at £21,866. January weddings cost just £13,519 on average, while February comes in at £15,222.
The venue represents your largest expense. Wedding venues with catering average £9,811, while venue-only costs average £5,945. This typically accounts for 25-50% of your total budget.
Couples achieving lower-cost weddings are 1.5 times more likely to book on Monday or Wednesday, 1.5 times more likely to choose January or March, and 2.5 times more likely to have fewer than 30 guests or book a pub or restaurant venue.
Wedding Budget Breakdown
UK couples spend between £20,000 and £25,000 on average for their weddings in 2025. Creating a wedding cost breakdown helps manage these expenses across different categories. A realistic uk wedding budget typically allocates the largest portion to the venue and catering.
Venue and Catering Expenses
Your venue and catering will make up the biggest chunk of your wedding budget. You can expect to spend £5,000 to £7,000 on venue hire alone, excluding catering costs.
Wedding catering typically costs around £5,400 for 80 to 90 guests. This works out to roughly £60 to £70 per person. The final amount depends entirely on your guest count and menu choices.
You'll pay more for sit-down meals with multiple courses compared to buffets or food trucks. A traditional three-course dinner costs more than sharing plates or casual dining options. If you book an outdoor venue, you might need marquee hire, which adds another £4,550 to your expenses.
Some venues offer all-inclusive packages that bundle catering, furniture, and basic decorations. These packages can help you avoid unexpected costs and simplify your planning process.
Attire, Beauty, and Accessories
Your wedding dress will likely cost between £1,000 and £2,000. Wedding shoes add another £200, while veils, belts, and other accessories range from £300 to £400.
The groom's suit or attire typically costs £800 to £900, including any rental fees or purchases for groomsmen. You'll need to factor in costs for bridesmaids' dresses separately.
Hair and makeup services cost around £360 each for the bride. If you want your bridesmaids to have professional styling, budget extra for each person. Some stylists charge travel fees for coming to your venue.
Wedding rings cost approximately £950 for both bands. Engagement rings average £2,150, though you may have already purchased this before setting your wedding budget. Additional jewelry like necklaces and earrings can add £1,000 to your total.
Photography and Videography Costs
Wedding photography costs between £1,400 and £1,600 on average. Your photographer typically covers the ceremony, reception, and portrait sessions throughout the day.
Most photographers offer packages with different coverage hours and deliverables. Digital albums cost less than printed photo books. You'll receive edited images within 4 to 12 weeks after your wedding.
A wedding videographer adds £1,300 to £1,500 to your budget. Video captures moments that photos can't, like vows, speeches, and your first dance. Many couples choose both services to preserve different aspects of their day.
Package prices vary based on experience level and what's included. Some videographers offer highlight reels, full ceremony footage, or cinematic edits. Book early since popular photographers and videographers fill their calendars months in advance.
Flowers, Decor, and Stationery
Wedding flowers cost around £1,150 for bouquets, centerpieces, and ceremony arrangements. Seasonal flowers cost less than imported varieties. Roses, peonies, and hydrangeas are popular but expensive, while seasonal British blooms offer better value.
Your florist typically provides bridal bouquets, bridesmaid bouquets, buttonholes, and table centerpieces. Large installations or hanging arrangements increase your total costs.
Decorations beyond flowers cost approximately £1,250. This includes candles, signage, table linens, and other styling elements. Blank canvas venues require more decorative items than styled venues with existing features.
Wedding stationery averages £400 for save-the-dates, invitations, programs, place cards, and thank-you notes. Digital invitations cost significantly less than printed versions. Custom designs and luxury paper stock push costs higher, while DIY options or templates keep expenses down.
Hidden and Overlooked Wedding Expenses
Many couples budget for major expenses like venues and catering but miss hidden wedding costs that add up quickly. Legal fees, supplier extras, and service charges can increase your final bill significantly. These overlooked expenses should be tracked from the start of your planning.
Unexpected Fees and Charges
You need to budget £84 minimum for marriage license fees (£42 per person). Booking a registrar costs from £104 if they travel to your venue, or £54 at a register office. Your marriage certificate costs £12.50 per copy, and you might want multiple copies for name changes.
VAT catches many couples off guard. Always confirm whether vendor quotes include the 20% VAT or if it gets added later. A £5,000 photographer quote becomes £6,000 with VAT.
Postage for invitations typically costs £75 to £125 for first class stamps to around 55 households. This increases if your invitations are oversized or need to go overseas. Venue extras like corkage fees (around £20 per bottle) and cleaning charges add at least £500 to your costs. Check your venue contract for damage fees and restrictions.
Service and Supplier Add-ons
Supplier meals cost £25 to £50 per person for photographers, videographers, planners, and entertainers working your wedding. Most venues offer discounted supplier meal rates. These professionals work long hours and cannot easily leave to get food.
Overtime charges apply when you extend vendor services beyond contracted hours. Discuss rates upfront if you want your photographer to stay late or need extra venue time. Hair and makeup trials cost £100 to £200 unless included in your package. Outfit alterations run around £300 for standard changes. Wedding dress dry cleaning costs approximately £150, while suit cleaning is around £45. Supplier travel fees range from £50 to £150 depending on distance, and may include overnight accommodation for remote locations.
Setting and Managing Your Wedding Budget
Creating a wedding budget requires careful planning and smart decision-making. With the average UK wedding costing around £20,822, you need practical strategies to control spending and make choices that reflect your priorities.
Personalised Wedding Budget Planning
A personalised wedding budget starts with understanding your total available funds and distributing them based on your priorities. You should allocate larger portions to elements that matter most to you, whether that's the venue, photography, or reception music.
Begin by listing all potential wedding expenses, from venue hire and catering to flowers and stationery. Assign percentage-based allocations to each category. For example, venues typically account for 24-30% of your total budget, while catering can take up another 25%.
Key budget categories to consider:
Venue and catering (50-55% combined)
Photography and videography (10-12%)
Wedding attire and beauty (8-10%)
Entertainment and music (5-7%)
Flowers and decorations (5-6%)
Factor in a contingency fund of 5-10% for unexpected costs. This buffer protects you from last-minute price increases or additional expenses you hadn't anticipated.
Tips for Saving Money on Your Wedding
You can significantly reduce wedding costs without sacrificing quality or style. Learning how to save money on your wedding starts with trimming your guest list. Using specific wedding budget tips can help you stay within your limits.
Choose seasonal flowers instead of imported varieties to save hundreds of pounds. Book suppliers during off-peak months (November through March) when prices drop considerably. Consider weekday weddings, which often cost 20-30% less than Saturday celebrations.
Digital invitations and RSVPs eliminate printing and postage costs entirely. Order a smaller display cake with sheet cakes for serving guests. Hire a DJ instead of a live band for reception music to cut entertainment costs by half.
Ask talented friends or family to contribute their skills as wedding gifts. Someone might offer photography services, baking, or decoration setup at reduced rates or free.
Using Wedding Budget Planners and Tools
Wedding budget planners help you track spending and stay organized throughout your planning journey. Bridebook offers a comprehensive wedding budget planner that automatically breaks down costs based on your total funds and wedding details.
These tools categorize expenses, send spending alerts, and show real-time updates of your remaining budget. Many platforms connect you directly with suppliers and provide cost estimates for your area.
Benefits of digital budget tools:
Automatic calculations and updates
Spending tracking across all categories
Supplier cost comparisons
Payment schedule reminders
Shared access with your partner
Input all quotes and deposits immediately to maintain accurate records. Regular reviews of your wedding budget planner help you identify areas where you're overspending and adjust allocations accordingly.
