How Much Does a Wedding Cost in the UK?

Planning a wedding can be an extremely daunting task. There are so many things to consider, and the cost of a wedding can be downright overwhelming. So, how much does a wedding cost, on average? What are some of the most common expenses? In this blog post, we will break down the average cost of a wedding and provide you with a detailed list of what you can expect to pay for.

At Collection Pot, we see many Pots set up to collect for weddings. So how much should you budget for a wedding? We know on average, the cost of a wedding in the United Kingdom is £27,000. This includes the cost of the venue, food and drink, transport, accommodation, wedding attire, flowers, and entertainment.

That being said – what is an average wedding? Some weddings are elaborate, some are small and intimate, some are parties, and some are even a quick church and return home affair! The costs we have used here are indicative of a quite formal affair, and so dependent on your choice of ceremony, fares may slightly differ!

Wedding cost broken down

Venue

The cost of a wedding venue will vary depending on the size and location of the venue. A smaller venue in a rural area will be cheaper than a larger venue in a city centre.

Accommodation

The question should really be – how much is your wedding going to cost your guests? You may wish to take some of the burden off them, especially if you have guests travelling from out of town, they will need somewhere to stay, and you may wish to foot the bill. You can either book hotel rooms for them or rent out a self-catering apartment. The average cost of a hotel room in the UK is £100 per night.

Wedding attire

The cost of your wedding attire will depend on how many people are in your bridal party and what type of clothing you choose to wear.

Bride’s dress: The average cost of a bride’s dress is £1000.
Bridesmaid’s dresses: The average cost of bridesmaid’s dresses is £200 per dress.
Groom’s suit: The average cost of a groom’s suit is £500.
Best man’s suit: The average cost of a best man’s suit is £250.

You may like to add shoes and accessories. You can also expect to pay for alterations, which will be an additional £100 or thereabouts. Don’t forget you need the full effect! A make-up artist for a wedding typically costs £200-£300 and a wedding hairdresser will cost £100-£150.

Transportation

The cost of transportation will vary depending on how many people you have to transport and how far you have to travel. A limousine can cost anywhere from £350 to £1000. If you are hiring a bus or coach, you can expect to pay around £400.

Flowers and decorations

The average cost of flowers and decorations is £500. This includes the cost of the bouquet and corsages. Each florist will have different ranges, but as an example:

A rose bouquet will cost you around £100.
An orchid bouquet will cost you around £150.
A calla lily bouquet will cost you around £200.

You can save on flowers for the wedding by using artificial flowers or by using flowers that are in season.

Wedding cake

This will vary depending on the size and design of the cake. A simple wedding cake can start at around £100, but if you want something more elaborate, you can expect to pay upwards of £1000.

Food & drink

One of the biggest costs associated with a wedding is food and drink. The average cost of catering for a wedding is £4000. This includes the cost of hiring a caterer, renting table and so on. The cost of catering will depend on the number of guests you have and the type of food you serve. A sit-down meal with multiple courses will be more expensive than a buffet. Alcohol can also add to the cost of catering. If you are serving wine or champagne, expect to pay more per head than if you are serving beer or soft drinks.

To calculate a wedding drinks package, multiply the number of guests by the number of drinks you think they will have, then add a 20% contingency.

Use Collection Pot for your wedding fund

There are many ways to save on costs when planning your wedding. By being mindful of your budget and making some wise choices, you can have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank!

Are you planning your own wedding? Why not set up a Collection Pot? A Collection Pot is a great way to ask your guests to contribute towards the costs of your wedding or to accept funds for your honeymoon! Just set up a Pot with your chosen amount and let your guests know how much you would appreciate their contribution!

To set up your own Collection Pot, all you need is an email address. Once you’ve set up your Pot, invite your guests to contribute by sending them an email or sharing the link on social media.

Elaine Keep

Elaine Keep is an accomplished content writer with over 15 years of experience in the field of marketing and content creation for many leading brands, where she shares her passion for research and helping others through her articles. You can also find her in 'mum mode', walking in the countryside or enjoying the dreamy combo of a new non-fiction book with a tea and chocolate bar to hand.