One of the first questions every newly engaged couple asks is:

“How much should we budget for our wedding?”

The honest answer is… it depends.

The average UK wedding in 2026 costs around £20,600, but I’ve planned weddings that have cost under £10,000 and others that have comfortably exceeded £50,000. It all comes down to your priorities, guest numbers and the experience you want to create.

As a wedding planner, I always encourage couples to build a realistic budget before booking suppliers. Once you know where your money is going, every decision becomes much easier.

Here’s a realistic guide to what you can expect to spend in the UK in 2026.

Wedding costs by category

Wedding Venue

£3,000–£8,000+

Your venue will almost always be your biggest investment. Whether you choose a country house, barn, marquee venue or exclusive private estate, the venue often sets the tone for your entire day. Average spend: around £6,000.

Catering

£60–£120+ per guest

Food is one of the things your guests will remember most. For an 80-person wedding, catering alone can range from £4,800 to £9,600, depending on your menu and service style. Don't forget to budget separately for evening food if it's not included.

Drinks

£1,000–£3,000

Usually covers welcome drinks, table wine, toast drinks and an evening bar contribution if you're providing one. A DIY bar or corkage option at a private house can sometimes reduce costs considerably.

Welcome drinks
Table wine
Toast drinks
Evening bar contribution

Photographer

£1,500–£3,000

Photography is one investment that lasts forever. Choose someone whose style you genuinely love rather than simply choosing the cheapest option.

Videographer

£1,200–£2,500

Many couples initially think they'll skip videography. Almost every couple who books one tells me afterwards it was one of the best decisions they made.

Florist

£800–£3,000+

Flowers depend entirely on your vision. Simple bouquets and table centres are very different from large floral installations, flower meadows and hanging designs.

Wedding Dress

£1,200–£2,500

Remember to include alterations, veil, shoes and accessories — these often add several hundred pounds.

Alterations
Veil
Shoes
Accessories

Groom's Suit

£250–£800

Whether hiring or buying, don't forget shoes and accessories too.

Hair & Makeup

£300–£800

Prices depend on bridal party size and whether your stylist stays for touch-ups throughout the day.

Entertainment

£800–£3,000

Entertainment creates atmosphere, so it's worth investing in if you want a lively celebration.

DJ
Live band
Saxophonist
String quartet
Magician
Photo booth

Cake

£350–£700

The more intricate the design, the higher the price.

Stationery

£300–£800

From the first save the date to the seating plan on the day.

Save the Dates
Invitations
Place cards
Menus
Welcome signs
Seating plans

Celebrant or Registrar

£500–£900

A celebrant-led ceremony offers far more flexibility and personalisation, while registrar fees vary depending on location and date.

Wedding Planner

£1,500–£5,000+

Many couples assume a wedding planner is an added expense. In reality, a good planner helps you avoid costly mistakes, keeps your budget on track, recommends trusted suppliers and saves you countless hours of research and stress. The average spend on a wedding planner in the UK is around £1,500, although this varies depending on the level of support you choose.

Don’t forget the hidden costs

These are the expenses couples often forget to include:

Marriage licence and legal fees
Supplier meals
Corkage
Delivery charges
Service charges
Generator hire (for marquee weddings)
Luxury toilets
Dance floor
Lighting
Heating
Insurance
Confetti
Favours
Guest transport
Accommodation
Thank you gifts

These extras can easily add another £2,000–£5,000, especially for outdoor or private-house weddings.

Example budget for an 80-guest wedding

Category	Budget
Venue	£6,000
Catering	£5,500
Drinks	£2,000
Photographer	£2,000
Videographer	£1,800
Florist	£1,500
Entertainment	£1,500
Dress & Accessories	£2,000
Groom	£500
Hair & Makeup	£600
Cake	£500
Stationery	£500
Celebrant	£600
Wedding Planner	£2,000
Hidden Costs & Contingency	£2,500
Estimated Total	£29,500

Remember, this is simply an example. Some beautiful weddings come together for much less, while others cost significantly more. The key is deciding what matters most to you as a couple and allocating your budget accordingly.

My advice as a wedding planner

If there’s one piece of advice I give every couple, it’s this:

Set your budget before you start booking suppliers.

It’s so easy to fall in love with a venue, photographer or florist only to discover later that there isn’t enough left for everything else.

Planning your budget from the beginning means you can spend with confidence, avoid unnecessary stress and enjoy the process far more.

And if you’re not sure where to start, that’s exactly where I can help. My job isn’t to tell you how your wedding should look—it’s to help you make the most of your budget, recommend suppliers you can trust and bring your vision to life without losing sight of what’s important to you.