How much does a wedding cost (and how to keep costs down)?

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting things you'll ever do, but it can also be one of the most expensive. 

Before you get swept up in venue tours and cake tastings, it helps to know what most couples are spending to figure out what you’re willing to spend and where you can keep costs down.

Here's a breakdown of UK wedding costs in 2026 (and what to expect for 2027), plus some practical ways to make your budget go further.

How much does it cost for a wedding in the UK?

A UK wedding costs around £20,000–£22,000 for most couples, though what you actually spend depends on where you marry and how many people you invite.

According to Bridebook's UK Wedding Report, the average wedding costs (UK) is £20,822, excluding the honeymoon and engagement ring. Add those in, and it climbs to around £26,500. 

That said, a quarter of couples manage to spend under £10,000, and the top 10% spend over £38,000. 

Geography matters too. Wedding venues in London and the South East of the UK cost significantly more than those in the North. Couples marrying in Lancashire and the North West generally get more for their money. This is worth keeping in mind if you have any flexibility on location, and managing your budget is a priority.

What should a wedding budget actually cover? 

Most of your wedding budget goes towards the venue, catering, clothing, photography, décor, and entertainment.

Here’s a breakdown of these costs: 

• Venue and catering account for the biggest chunk, often around 40% of your wedding budget (meaning they account for roughly £8,300 of the UK average wedding cost). 

• Photography, averaging around £1,482 according to Bridebook's data, with most couples booking a full day.

• Attire, such as a wedding dress (averaging £1,532), and a groom's suit (averaging £859), before alterations and accessories.

• Wedding flowers and décor, which average around £1,132 for florists plus £1,271 for decorations (such as fairy lights, garlands, and so on).

• Entertainment, including the reception, averages £1,061. 

Everything else (hair, makeup, cake, stationery, transport) tends to fill in around those core categories.

Knowing what other couples spend on each of these categories can help you decide where to spend and where to pull back. For example, if you're unsure about how much to spend on a wedding photographer, you can use the average price as a benchmark and go from there. 

What are the biggest ways to reduce wedding costs? 

Some of the most effective ways to reduce wedding costs include trimming your guest list, choosing an off-peak date or ceremony time, and setting a clear budget before booking vendors.

Let’s take a look at some of these ways to reduce your wedding costs (and others) in more detail: 

• Review your guest list. The single most effective lever is your guest list. Bridebook's data shows couples with 50 guests or fewer spend around £12,000 on average, compared to £37,431 for 150+ guests. Every head you add costs money across catering, venue capacity, stationery, favours, and more.

• Choose a weekday or off-peak date. Saturdays in summer are popular, and so prices are higher. A Friday in October or a Tuesday in January, however, can save you thousands at the same venue.

• Pick a later ceremony start time. An afternoon or early evening wedding ceremony shortens the day. This means less time at the venue and reduced catering requirements, both of which lower costs. 

• Set a clear budget. 56% of couples overspend because they don’t know what things cost before they commit. For example, get wedding venue quotes that include catering so you're comparing like for like. Ask exactly what's in the package (tables, staffing, setup, breakdown), and add a 10% contingency for the things that inevitably cost more than expected.

• Simplify the food format. A relaxed sharing menu or evening buffet can feel just as generous as a formal sit-down, often at a fraction of the cost.

• Choose a venue that bundles everything. Venues that package catering, rooms, and wedding planning in one price are much easier to budget accurately for than piecing everything together separately. Hidden costs are where budgets fall apart.

Side note: At Springbank Manor, our wedding packages include catering, room hire, and coordination as standard, so you know exactly what you're getting and what it costs from the start. Find out more about our wedding venue in Blackburn. 

Wedding cost FAQs 

What is a twilight wedding and how much can it save on wedding costs? 

Rather than a full day starting at midday, a twilight wedding begins in the late afternoon or early evening, typically from around 4pm or 5pm onwards. It's a shorter day, which means lower catering costs, and the atmosphere can feel more relaxed and intimate than a traditional format.

To sum it up: You have a ceremony, drinks, and an evening reception, but without the full wedding breakfast or the cost of a full-day wedding. 

What is an intimate wedding and is it cheaper than a large wedding? 

An intimate wedding is a smaller and more personal celebration, typically with 15 to 30 guests. With fewer guests, you can use a smaller (and sometimes therefore cheaper) venue than a large wedding, and per-head catering costs also come down.

You also tend to spend more intentionally on an intimate wedding, investing in quality where it matters rather than spreading the budget thin across 100+ people.

Plan your perfect wedding within budget at Springbank Manor

Working out how to make your budget stretch without compromising too much on what you want is easier said than done.

Whether you're drawn to a full celebration, an intimate gathering, or a twilight evening, take a look at what we have to offer at Springbank Manor. Our experienced team will talk you through what's possible and what everything includes before you commit to anything.

Get in touch with the team to start planning your day.