Wedding Budget Calculator
Turn one big number into a clear plan. Enter your total wedding budget and we'll suggest a sensible spend for each part of the day — venue, catering, photography, attire and the rest — using typical UK percentages you can adjust.
Wedding budget planner
Split your total across the usual categories.
Percentages are typical UK averages. Move money between categories to match your priorities.
How to budget for a wedding
The secret to a stress-free wedding budget is to decide the total first, then divide it across categories — not to add up a wish list and hope it fits. Most of your money goes on a handful of big items, so getting those right keeps everything else in proportion.
The average UK wedding costs around £18,000–£20,000, but couples happily marry for a fraction of that. Venue and catering usually take about 45–55% of the budget, which is why guest numbers matter so much — most catering is priced per head.
A typical UK wedding budget split
| Category | Share |
|---|---|
| Venue hire | ~25% |
| Catering & drinks | ~22% |
| Photography & video | ~10% |
| Attire (dress, suits) | ~9% |
| Flowers & décor | ~8% |
| Entertainment | ~8% |
| Rings | ~5% |
| Stationery, cake & transport | ~8% |
| Contingency | ~5% |
Why the guest list drives the cost
Because catering, drinks, favours and stationery are mostly priced per person, the guest list is the single biggest lever on your budget. Cutting 20 guests from a 100-person wedding can save more than swapping any single supplier. If you need to trim costs, start there.
Always keep a contingency. Set aside around 5% for the extras that always appear — corkage, overtime, alterations, an unplanned car. A small buffer is the difference between a calm final fortnight and a frantic one.
Paying for it sensibly
Save steadily into a separate account, pay deposits on a credit card for the extra protection on larger amounts, and avoid borrowing for the wedding itself if you can. To see how the wedding fits alongside your normal outgoings, our budget calculator shows your monthly surplus, and the party budget calculator helps with the smaller celebrations along the way.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wedding cost in the UK?
The average UK wedding costs around £18,000–£20,000, though many couples spend far less. The biggest cost is usually venue and catering, which together often take 50–55% of the budget.
How should I split my wedding budget?
A common split is around 45% on venue and catering, 10% on photography and video, 9% on attire, 8% on flowers, 8% on entertainment, and the rest on rings, stationery, transport and contingency.
How much should I keep as a contingency?
Set aside about 5% of your total budget for last-minute extras, supplier price rises and the small costs that always crop up.
What's the most expensive part of a wedding?
Venue and catering, almost always. Together they typically account for around half of the total — which is why guest numbers matter so much, as catering is priced per head.
How can I cut wedding costs?
Trim the guest list (catering is per head), marry off-peak or midweek, choose a venue that includes catering and furniture, and prioritise the few things you'll most remember.