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Tying the knot isn’t cheap, and those wanting a UK wedding may need to brace themselves for some eye-watering costs.
However, owing to the abundance of beautiful scenery, historical landmarks, and delicious cream teas – the UK is one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in the world.
But at what cost…?
Photography by Wildling Weddings
Average Cost of a Wedding in the UK
So, the average cost of a wedding in the UK is… *drumroll noise*… £20,770.
Owing to the ever-rising inflation in the United Kingdom, plus the painful after-effects of a global pandemic, the average wedding cost in Britain has, for the first time on record, surpassed the £20k mark.
And that’s just the wedding. Throw in a honeymoon and a dazzling diamond on your ring finger, and you’re looking at anything between £25k and £30k.
However….
A UK wedding cost varies depending on where in Britain you plan on tying the knot. Your average cost per UK country as of 2024 is:
- London, England: £36,778
- Wales: £15,529
- Scotland: £19,387
- Ireland: £12,666
Wedding Costs Breakdown
A breakdown of the main wedding fees looks a little something like this:
Supplier/Expense
Average Cost
Venue
Catering
Hair & make-up
Wedding cake
Wedding dress
Florist
Photographer/Videographer
£9,877
£5,732
£686
£405
£1,424
£1,182
£1,464 – £1,439
(ref: https://bridebook.com/uk/article/how-much-does-a-wedding-cost-the-2024-uk-average)
Of course, these costs vary depending on where in the UK you’re planning on getting hitched, what day of the week (weekends are significantly more costly), and how many guests you wish to have in attendance.
Average Wedding Spend
The list above is the very basic set-up for a UK wedding. There are also other factors to take into account including:
- Music/band/DJ
- Accommodation
- Decor
- Tableware and seating (although these are often included within the venue)
- Bar tab
- Celebrant
- Marriage licence and other official documentation
- Bridesmaid and groomsmen outfits
- Groom’s suit
- Transportation
- Wedding rings
- Bachelor/bachelorette parties
- Honeymoon
- Invitations & paper goods
- Wedding favours
- Other (e.g.: fireworks)
Photography by Wildling Weddings
Getting Married in the UK: What to Do
For those coming from overseas for their UK wedding, here’s how to get prepped.
Check if You Can Get Married in the UK
There is certain criteria that needs to be met in order to wed in the UK:
- You and your partner must be aged 18 or over.
- Your relationship is genuine.
- You will visit and leave within 6 months of your wedding.
- You and your partner are not closely related by blood.
Get the Right Visa
Unless you or your partner are a British citizen, you will need to apply for a marriage visa and a marriage notice before doing anything else. This includes civil partnerships.
It’s imperative to note that you cannot get married in the UK on a standard visitor visa. More information on the legal side of things can be found here.
Alert Your Embassies
Your native embassy must be made aware of your UK wedding plans. This is especially important for couples planning on moving to the UK after their wedding.
Necessary Paperwork
As a non-native, you will need to sort out the following paperwork:
- Travel visas and marriage visas
- Passports
- Birth certificates
- Notice fee
- Venue documentation
- Divorce certificate (if necessary from a previous marriage)
- Death certificate (if you have been widowed)
Put Down a Deposit on a Venue
You will need this for the above information, so this is important to do early on in the planning stage.
Hire a Registrar/Celebrant
Depending on the type of wedding you require (religious or humanist), you will need to hire a registered officiant.
This needs to be done in order for much of the paperwork to be processed, as the celebrant will require this documentation before they can officiate the marriage.
Ensure a Minimum of 2 Witnesses are Present
When it comes to the day of your ceremony, you are legally required to have at least two witnesses present.
The celebrant cannot be one of them, but other persons present, such as the photographer, can.
Choose the Time of Year You Wish to Get Married
The UK’s four seasons are very distinctive and each can bring their own charm to your wedding day.
However, there aren’t just aesthetic or practical reasons for this decision. The time of year you plan on getting married in the UK affects your budget.
For example, summer and Christmas weddings tend to be the most expensive times to get hitched in Britain, with spring and autumn being more cost-effective.
Also, your time of year may affect your venue choice, as popular wedding venues often get snatched up during peak wedding times.
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Once these are all ticked off, you can get to the fun stuff like planning your vendors and choosing your wedding dress.
Planning Your Budget: What to Consider
We’ve talked about a few of the factors that can affect a UK wedding budget throughout this article, but here is the full list of what to consider:
- Time of year. Christmas, New Year’s, and summer weddings tend to cost more.
- Day of the week. Those on a smaller budget may want to consider a weekday wedding over a weekend one.
- Guest list. The more mouths there are to feed, the bigger the budget.
- The venue. Many UK venues offer wedding packages, which can help keep costs down.
- Catering. A three-course meal can be significantly more costly than a buffet or a barbecue.
- Alcohol. Alcohol bumps wedding budgets up. This includes a celebratory glass of fizz for toasts, a drink on reception arrival, wine with dinner, etc.
- Travel to and from the venue – including flights to the UK for non-nationals. Again, time of year can drastically affect these costs.
- Accessories. You will have likely factored your wedding dress and veil into your budget but bear in mind accessories like shoes, jewellery, corsages, etc.
- Photography packages. Most wedding photographers offer various packages, so decide on the one you want that suits your budget.
Photography by Wildling Weddings
Getting Married in the UK on a Small Budget
For those who nearly went into cardiac arrest at the mere sight of the £20k average UK wedding cost – fear not. There are ways to have a fabulous UK wedding on a smaller budget.
Consider Eloping
Eloping can be a beautiful, intimate way to celebrate your love for each other without having to gruel over a guest list or spend a fortune.
Because eloping is becoming increasingly popular with millennial and Gen Z couples, many companies offer elopement packages to literally handle the whole thing!
Scotland Outdoor Wedding
The beautiful Gaelic country of Scotland has an unusually relaxed approach to outdoor weddings, which can’t be said of most other places in the UK.
Not only can tying the knot at the foot of a mountain or the lip of a loch be utterly magical, but it will save a pile on venue costs!
Do Your Research
The accommodation side of your wedding planning can be costly, especially if accommodation isn’t included in your venue costs.
Shop around for good deals and consider solutions like AirBnB, Groupon, and even camping/motorhoming.
Call in Favours
Know someone who owns a florist? Ask for a discount. BFFs with an amazing baker? Beg them to make your wedding cake for you.
The first rule of getting hitched on a smaller budget is to network!
Avoid Peak Seasons
We know that summer and Christmas weddings are very appealing, but they are also a surefire way to bump up costs.
So, why not consider a pretty spring wedding (think florals and a nice countryside retreat) or an autumn wedding (an atmospheric ceremony at the foot of Ben Nevis with colourful Highland foliage all around is unforgettable!).
UK Wedding Photography
Get access to pricing for wedding photography and all-inclusive Scotland elopement packages with Wildling Weddings.
Simply, enter your details in the form for instant access to our pricing page.
Photography by Wildling Weddings
FAQs
A wedding budget depends on various factors including size/guest list, venue, and – rather importantly – what time of year the wedding is due to take place.
According to a study by Hitched in 2023, the average UK couple spends around £20,700 on their wedding.
The budget referenced above (circa £20k) is a typical UK budget for a wedding with a 50-100-person guest list. This can fluctuate depending on the venue size and location.
The average cost of a UK wedding in 2024 is almost £21,000. However, this depends on certain factors.
For example, a church wedding is more expensive than a registry office wedding, and an elopement is significantly more wallet-friendly than either of those options.
Yes, LGBTQ+ people have been legally allowed to tie the knot in the UK since 2014.
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