How Much Does a Wedding Cost in the UK? A Realistic 2026 Budget Guide

The average UK wedding now costs between roughly £20,600 and £22,000, depending on which survey you read. Bridebook's UK Wedding Report 2026, based on around 7,000 couples who married in 2025, puts the figure at £20,604. Hitched's national survey of 2,020 newlyweds, published in January 2026, found an average of £21,990.

Those headline numbers hide a huge spread. About a quarter of couples in the Bridebook report spent £10,000 or less, while another quarter spent more than £26,000. Where you marry, how many people you invite and which suppliers you prioritise matter far more than the national average, so treat it as a starting point rather than a target.

The average UK wedding cost in 2026

Both major surveys point the same way: costs are edging up, mostly because each guest costs more to host. Hitched found the average spend per guest rose 4% to £272, while Bridebook puts it at £278. Neither figure includes the honeymoon or engagement ring, so add those separately if they are coming out of the same pot.

Budgets also tend to slip. Hitched reported that 56% of couples overspent their original budget, 32% stayed on budget and only 6% came in under. If you are planning a 2027 or 2028 wedding, it is sensible to build in a contingency of your own from the outset rather than hoping you will be in the lucky minority.

Wedding budget breakdown by category

The table below uses the average spend per category from Bridebook's UK Wedding Report 2026. These are averages among couples who paid for each item, so they will not add up neatly to the overall total; few weddings include every line. Use them to sense-check quotes and to see where the money usually goes.

Category	Average spend	Worth knowing
Venue hire (excluding catering)	£6,040	Usually the biggest single cost; check what is included
Reception catering	£5,406	Priced per head, so it rises with every guest
Evening catering	£2,002	Often overlooked when couples first budget
Marquee or tipi	£4,633	Only if you are not using a ready-made venue
Photographer	£1,484	Hours of coverage drive the price
Videographer	£1,514	Increasingly booked alongside photography
Wedding dress	£1,532	Alterations and accessories are usually extra
Menswear	£859	Buying versus hiring makes a big difference
Bridal accessories	£449	Veils, shoes, jewellery
Flowers	£1,187	Seasonal blooms keep this down
Decor and styling	£1,404	Ask what the venue already provides
Reception music (band or DJ)	£1,061	Saturday dates cost the most
Ceremony music	£845	Musicians, singers or a string trio
Other entertainment	£844	Photo booths, magicians, games
Wedding rings	£1,057	Two bands, not the engagement ring
Wedding planner	£1,543	Ranges from on-the-day help to full planning
Transport	£593	Distance and waiting time affect the price
Celebrant	£504	Separate from any legal ceremony fees
Hair and make-up	£811	£417 hair and £394 make-up on average
Stationery	£378	Invitations, save the dates, on-the-day items
Cake	£360	Tiers and sugar flowers add cost

Venue and food together typically account for the largest share of any budget, which is why decisions about wedding venues and wedding caterers have the most effect on your final figure.

How costs differ across the UK

London is consistently the most expensive place to marry. Bridebook's regional figures put the average London wedding at £26,986, followed by Scotland (£22,987), the South East (£22,637) and the South West (£22,304). At the other end, the North West averaged £17,342, the East Midlands £17,981 and the North East £18,410. Wales came in at £19,175 and Northern Ireland at £18,564.

Hitched's survey tells a similar story, with London at £24,622, the South East at £23,589 and the East at £23,350. It also found Scotland had the highest spend per guest of anywhere in the UK, at £293.

The gap is mainly down to supplier prices. Bridebook estimates London supplier costs run about 30% above the UK average, while Yorkshire and the Humber sits about 12% below. If you have flexibility, comparing venues in Yorkshire with those closer to a big city can reveal real savings, though remember to factor in guest travel and accommodation.

Why guest numbers drive your budget

Guest count is the single lever that moves almost every other cost: catering, drinks, tables, chairs, stationery, favours and even the size of venue you need. Bridebook's report shows how sharply the total climbs:

• 50 guests: around £15,162 in total
• 70 guests: around £21,791
• 100 guests: around £22,510
• 120 or more guests: around £26,000

Interestingly, cost per guest falls at the larger end, from £303 a head at 50 guests to £217 at 120 or more, because fixed costs such as the photographer and venue hire are spread more thinly. Hitched found weddings with more than 100 guests averaged £35,591, nearly 40% above its overall average. Either way, every name you add has a price, so draft your guest list before you book anything.

How to set a wedding budget that works

A good budget starts with what you can actually afford, not with the national average. Work through these steps together:

1. Agree your total. Add up savings, what you can put aside each month until the date, and any confirmed family contributions. Hitched found 61% of couples received money from family, but only count what has been firmly offered.
2. Set a contingency. Hold back a slice of your total for surprises such as extra guests, service charges and price rises between booking and the day.
3. Choose your priorities. Pick the two or three things that matter most to you both, whether that is the food, the photographs or the band, and protect those lines.
4. Allocate by category. Use the averages above as a guide, then adjust up for your priorities and down elsewhere.
5. Track every quote and payment. Record deposits, balances and due dates in one place so nothing catches you out.

The free wedding budget planner lets you set category budgets, log quotes and payments and see at a glance whether you are on track, alongside a planning checklist and countdown.

Getting accurate prices for your wedding

National averages are useful, but real quotes for your date, region and guest numbers are what you should build your budget on. Ask each supplier for an itemised quote that shows VAT, travel, service charges and anything that is optional.

The quickest way to compare is to save suppliers you like to your shortlist and send one enquiry to several at once. Supplier listings also let you check availability for your wedding date before you get attached to anyone. It is worth browsing current wedding offers too, as many suppliers discount off-peak dates or bundle extras.

Questions couples ask

How much does an average UK wedding cost in 2026?

The latest surveys put the average between £20,604 (Bridebook's UK Wedding Report 2026) and £21,990 (Hitched's survey published in January 2026). Both are based on couples who married in 2025 and exclude the honeymoon and engagement ring. Your own cost will depend heavily on region and guest numbers.

What is the most expensive part of a wedding?

The venue and catering are almost always the biggest costs. Bridebook's figures show average venue hire of £6,040, reception catering of £5,406 and evening food of £2,002. Together they can easily make up more than half of a typical budget.

Is £10,000 enough for a wedding in the UK?

Yes, it can be. Around a quarter of couples in Bridebook's 2026 report spent £10,000 or less. Keeping the guest list small, choosing an off-peak date and focusing spending on a few priorities makes a lower budget much more achievable.

Where is the cheapest place in the UK to get married?

Bridebook's regional averages suggest the North West (£17,342), East Midlands (£17,981) and North East (£18,410) are the least expensive regions. London is the most expensive, at an average of £26,986. Prices still vary widely within each region.

How much does a wedding cost per guest?

Hitched found couples spent an average of £272 per guest, while Bridebook puts it at £278. Per-guest cost is usually highest at smaller weddings, because fixed costs such as photography are shared among fewer people.