Average UK Wedding Costs 2025
According to the Hitched 2025 National Wedding Survey, the average cost of a UK wedding is £20,700. However, costs vary dramatically by region:
| Region | Average Wedding Cost |
|---|
| London | £32,000 – £38,000 |
| South East | £24,000 – £28,000 |
| South West | £19,000 – £23,000 |
| Midlands | £17,000 – £21,000 |
| North of England | £15,000 – £19,000 |
| Scotland | £16,000 – £21,000 |
| Wales | £14,000 – £18,000 |
Wedding Costs Breakdown: Category Guide
Here is a full breakdown of typical UK wedding costs in 2025/26, across low, mid and high-end options:
| Category | Low Budget | Mid Range | Luxury |
|---|
| Venue hire | £2,000 | £6,500 | £12,000+ |
| Catering (per head) | £50–£70 | £90–£120 | £130–£200 |
| Photographer | £1,000 | £2,000 | £3,500+ |
| Videographer | £800 | £1,500 | £2,500+ |
| Flowers & decor | £800 | £2,000 | £5,000+ |
| Wedding dress | £500 | £1,800 | £5,000+ |
| Groom/suit wear | £200 | £500 | £1,200+ |
| Rings | £600 | £2,000 | £5,000+ |
| DJ / Band | £400 | £1,200 | £3,000+ |
| Wedding cake | £300 | £600 | £1,500+ |
| Invitations / stationery | £150 | £350 | £700+ |
| Transport | £200 | £400 | £800+ |
| Hair & makeup | £200 | £450 | £900+ |
| Wedding insurance | £50 | £100 | £200 |
Wedding Insurance: What You Need to Know
Wedding insurance protects against unexpected events that could ruin your day or leave you out of pocket. UK policies typically cost £50–£200 for events up to £30,000 in value.
What UK Wedding Insurance Covers
- Supplier failure: If your caterer, DJ, or photographer cancels at short notice
- Venue cancellation: If your chosen venue closes or becomes unavailable
- Wedding dress damage: Accidental damage, loss or theft of the dress before the wedding
- Ring loss or theft: Cover for wedding and engagement rings
- Adverse weather: If extreme weather prevents the wedding from taking place
- Illness or injury: If the couple or close family cannot attend due to ill health
Popular UK providers include Markel, John Lewis Finance, Aviva and Debenhams Insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a wedding in the UK in 2025?
According to the Hitched 2025 National Wedding Survey, the average UK wedding costs £20,700. London weddings average significantly higher at around £32,000–£38,000. The lowest costs are typically in Wales and the North of England, where weddings average £14,000–£19,000.
How much should I budget for a wedding venue in the UK?
UK wedding venue hire typically costs £5,000–£12,000 for a full day. Prices vary enormously by region, type of venue (barn, hotel, country house, registry office) and day of week. Weekday weddings are often 30–50% cheaper than Saturdays. Some venues include catering in their package, so always compare like-for-like.
How far in advance should I book my wedding venue?
Most popular UK venues book 12–18 months in advance for prime Saturday dates in summer (May–September). Weekday or off-peak (January–March) bookings may be available with just 6 months' notice. As soon as you have your date and venue shortlist, get in touch — popular venues can be fully booked 2 years ahead.
Do I need wedding insurance in the UK?
Wedding insurance is strongly recommended for any UK wedding costing over £5,000. Policies from £50–£200 typically cover supplier failure, venue cancellation, wedding attire damage, and rings loss. Markel and John Lewis offer popular policies. Without insurance, you have little recourse if a supplier fails to deliver.
Who traditionally pays for what at a UK wedding?
Traditionally, the bride's family covered most costs including venue, catering, flowers and photography. The groom's family traditionally paid for the rehearsal dinner and the groom's attire. Modern practice sees most couples paying the majority themselves, sometimes with contributions from both families. There are no firm rules — agree what works for everyone early.
How can I reduce UK wedding costs?
Key savings strategies: choose a weekday date (save 30–50% on venue), reduce guest numbers (cutting 20 guests saves ~£2,000 in catering), opt for an off-peak date (January–March), DIY your decorations and stationery, hire a student photographer, choose a buffet over a sit-down meal, and shop for your dress at a sample sale or pre-owned dress retailer.
How much does wedding catering cost per head in the UK?
UK wedding catering typically costs £60–£150 per head for a sit-down three-course meal including service charge. Buffet options start from £35–£60 per head. Drinks packages (wine, prosecco, soft drinks throughout the day) add approximately £25–£60 per person. Many venues charge a corkage fee if you supply your own alcohol.
MB
Mustafa Bilgic — Financial Content Specialist
Mustafa researches and writes UK personal finance guides and calculator tools, helping readers make informed decisions about budgeting, saving and major life expenses. All data is sourced from official UK surveys, industry reports and government publications.