If you are about to start planning your big day, you will surely want to understand the average UK wedding cost. This will surely be very helpful for effective budgeting.
Over the years, wedding expenses in the UK have steadily risen. However, not everything has to be demotivational. You can always find a way to keep the wedding budget to the minimum. Simply change the season, the location, or shorten the guest list.
Join us, and let’s see how we can help you understand what you can expect of UK wedding costs in 2025.
Average Cost Of UK Wedding Throughout The Years
The average cost of a UK wedding in 2025 is estimated to be around £25,000, reflecting a slight increase from 2024 (£23,500, as reported by the Hitched National Wedding Survey) and continuing the steady upward trend seen in recent years.
For instance, the 2022 Hitched National Wedding Survey found that couples spent an average of £18,400 on their weddings, which then rose to £20,700 in 2023, highlighting the ongoing rise in wedding expenses.
Now, the reason for the jump that we see between 2022 and 2023 may be attributed to the post-pandemic demand. Hosting a wedding during this time was simply impossible. Couples had to reschedule the postponed celebrations, which in turn influenced the UK wedding cost.
Trends and Characteristics of 2025 UK Weddings
For 2025 UK weddings, couples are prioritising personal touches and guest experiences over everything else. The blend of modern and traditional is noticeable, and so is the shift towards sustainability. The couple’s tastes and demands are shifting to eco-friendly venues and digital invitations to reduce environmental impact. Locally sourced flowers are given priority over imported ones, which increases the wedding budget significantly.
As a result of the rising expenses, intimate gatherings became more popular. Hence, weddings offered more personalised experiences and saved couples lots of money.
Wedding Budget Breakdown
The wedding industry will also feel this trend because the prices in almost every industry go up. To help you organise the wedding of your dreams, you need to understand how to allocate your wedding budget. This will help you make the best decisions.
Let’s break down the 2025 UK wedding cost so you can see where you can possibly save money if you need to.
Venue & Catering
The wedding venue and catering are the items that will drain most of your wedding budget. Most often, the venue will cost around £6,000, while the catering expense will be in the neighbourhood of £5,000. So, almost half the budget, or £11,000, goes to this. The next expensive item is entertainment, which can range anywhere from £1,000 to £2,500.
Decor, Attire & Wedding Photographer
What is a wedding without flowers and decorations? Not to mention a photographer and videographer to capture those special moments. You can expect to pay approximately £3,000 for these services.
Dressing the bride and groom doesn’t have to cost much, but you should expect that the bride’s dress will cost more than the groom’s suit. In terms of money, the approximate number will be £500 for the suit and £1,000 for the dress.
Stationary, makeup and hairdressing, transportation, favour, gifts, and other items that should be included will constitute the remaining portion of the wedding budget.
Couples should keep in mind that these figures are not set in stone. They are averages and will greatly vary based on personal preferences and regional differences. Notably, the venue and catering constitute the largest portion, often accounting for up to 50% of the total budget.
Get Married in Off-Peak Months
One way you can reduce the UK wedding cost and keep your budget low is by hosting your celebration in the off-peak months. Spring and summer are the most popular wedding seasons, hence the high prices for venues, catering, etc.
Have you ever thought about having a winter wedding in January and February? These are the most affordable months when vendors and venues discount their rates to attract bookings during this period.
Winter weddings can be a bit challenging in terms of weather conditions, but there are advantages here. The chances your desired venue and services are available are rather high, not to mention the cost savings. It’s definitely something to take into consideration if you want to save some money.
Trends Influencing the 2025 UK Wedding Cost
Trends in the wedding industry can sometimes significantly affect the costs and your budget. Currently, inflation and price increases affect all sectors, and this also includes the wedding industry.
Given it’s one of the biggest trends of the year, couples often tend to choose eco-friendly and sustainable options which are greatly beneficial for the environment. However, this can sometimes come at a premium price.
Another trend that has influenced the UK wedding cost is the enhanced guest experience. Couples are looking to entertain their guests and make them feel comfortable and welcome, so they invest more in entertainment. Creating memorable experiences also includes personalised favours and gourmet catering, which can put some pressure on your budget.
How to Become a Budget-Conscious Couple
We all know that weddings are expensive, but this doesn’t mean that there are no ways to manage the costs. You should start by prioritising things and determining which aspects of your 2025 UK wedding are most important. Once you’ve identified them, it’s where you allocate your funds accordingly.
A great way to cut down on the UK wedding cost is with DIY decorations. Personal touches can always add charm while reducing expenses and saving you money for other items in your budget.
It’s well-known that venues charge less for events held on weekdays, so why not have a weekday wedding? And if you limit the guest list and host a small gathering, you can significantly cut the costs. Since the wedding venue and the number of guests are the items that mostly influence the budget, it’s worth thinking about these two to keep the budget to a minimum.
Create A Budget That Works For You
Planning a wedding and fitting everything you want in the budget is often the most challenging part for every couple, but it is not impossible. Now you understand what your budget should include and where you can make adjustments to significantly lower the UK wedding cost.
You are now well on your way to having the wedding you always wanted!
Do you need someone to capture the most cherished memories of your big day? Consider us as your UK wedding photographers!
