The average UK wedding now costs £21,000, and if that shocks you then you’ve obviously never tried planning one!
Weddings are expensive, but they’re also incredibly special for everyone involved. If you can make peace with the cost and plan your budget accordingly, you can avoid a lot of stress in the run-up to your big day.
The easiest way to do this is to work out how much you can afford to spend on the wedding, and allocate funds to different areas.
20%: Overspill
First and foremost, no matter what sort of wedding you are planning, you should set aside a full 20% of your total budget to cover unexpected expenses. This ‘slush fund’ will be a saving grace at some point in your planning, and if you don’t use it, even better!
20%: The Reception
This should include the cost of hiring your venue, plus food and drinks for all your guests. Most couples will offer guests a welcome cocktail and a glass of bubbly for the toasts, plus half a bottle of wine per person. If you decide to offer a free bar expect this cost to rise significantly (after all everyone is there for the party, eh?)
15%: The Honeymoon
Don’t forget that this money also has to cover your first night’s accommodation, spending money, and your travel to and from the venue and airport.
10%: Clothing
Most of this is going to go on the bride’s dress and accessories. Bridesmaids’ dresses can be picked up for a song, while the groom’s suit usually costs a couple of hundred pounds. Shoes, hats, veils, neckties and underwear should also come under this budget.
5%: Entertainment
This includes your wedding band, any providers of music during the service, your DJ, and any other entertainment you may have planned.
5-10%: Photography
Once every last crumb of your wedding cake has been eaten, photos provide a lasting reminder of your wedding day – aside from your new husband or wife! The services of an accomplished wedding photographer are worth investing in. The more experienced they are, the better their equipment will be, and the clearer and more creative their shots. You can find your perfect wedding photographer at Wedding Photography Select.
0-5%: Videography
To be clear – your photographer and videographer are completely different people, and you should be prepared to pay similar fees for each one. Many people opt to just have a photographer but wedding videography is becoming a more and more popular option for many couples.
4%: Flowers
This will cover the bridal bouquets, the flower arrangements at the service, and the flowers at the reception.
3%: The service
This will include all the legal fees associated with your marriage, plus the venue rental (if applicable) and the ceremony officiant’s fee.