What is the average UK wedding cost?

The average UK wedding costs £18,000-£25,000. London weddings average higher at £30,000-£40,000. Budget weddings can be achieved for £5,000-£10,000. The biggest costs are typically venue (30-40%), catering (25-30%), and photography (8-12%).

How should I split my wedding budget?

Typical splits: Venue 30-40%, Catering 20-25%, Drinks 5-10%, Photography 8-12%, Flowers 5-8%, Attire 5-10%, Music 3-5%, Stationery 2-3%, Cake 2-3%. Keep 5-10% as contingency for unexpected costs.

Where can I save the most money?

Biggest savings: weekday or off-season wedding (20-40% off venue), DIY flowers and decorations, Spotify playlist instead of band, simple cake from a local baker, limited bar (beer/wine only), digital invitations. These changes can save thousands.

Should I include a contingency fund?

Yes, set aside 5-10% of your total budget for unexpected costs. Last-minute alterations, extra guests, weather contingencies, and forgotten items always come up. A £20,000 wedding should have a £1,000-£2,000 contingency.

Wedding Budget Calculator — Full Wedding Planner

Create a comprehensive wedding budget with all spending categories.

Total Wedding Budget

Your total available budget (UK avg ~£20,600 in 2026)

Venue

Typically 30–40% of budget (UK avg hire ~£6,000)

Catering

Typically 20–25% (~£60–£120 per head, 3 courses)

Drinks

Typically 5–10% (drinks packages ~£35–£65 per head)

Photography / Video

Typically 8–12% (UK avg ~£1,800–£3,500)

Flowers

Flowers & décor typically 5–10% of budget

Attire (dress, suit, etc.)

Dress, suit, shoes & accessories — typically 5–10%

Music / Entertainment

Band, DJ or playlist — typically 3–8% of budget

Stationery

Invitations, save-the-dates, signage — typically 2–3%

Cake

Wedding cake & cutting — typically 2–3% of budget

Other Costs

Rings, transport, favours, hair & makeup, etc.

How We Calculate This

This calculator tracks wedding spending across all major categories.

How it works

Total spend = sum of all categories
Remaining = total budget − total spend
Contingency = total budget × contingency % (set in Advanced options, default 5%)
Remaining after contingency = remaining − contingency, the cash truly free to commit
The largest spending category is highlighted

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Adjust quantities based on your guests and event type.