Planning a wedding is exciting! You get to scroll inspiration for hours, tour beautiful wedding venues and line up the dream team of wedding suppliers who will bring the day to life. It should feel fun, not stressful. However, keeping the spending under control is where things can get messy (and cause the most stress)!
This guide gives you everything you need to build a realistic wedding budget, stick to it and avoid the classic money traps that couples fall into. You can also download our wedding budget spreadsheet, designed to be easy to use from the moment you open it, so you can add your numbers quickly and keep everything organised.
Why you need a Wedding Budget
Weddings are expensive and costs can spiral fast when you're not keeping track. Between social media ideas, pressure from family and the endless options available to you, many couples overspend without realising until it is too late. Putting together a solid budget keeps you grounded and gives you a clear plan to work from, so the day stays enjoyable rather than stressful. It helps you:
- Set financial boundaries you are actually comfortable with
- Decide what matters most
- Make decisions about packages and compare suppliers objectively
- Keep track of deposits and payment deadlines
- Avoid “creeping costs” that can catch you out.
A clear budget essentially puts you in control, helping you enjoy the planning journey without the financial surprises that can add stress or cause problems later down the line.
Typical Wedding Budget in the UK
When couples start planning, one of the first questions they ask is how much a wedding actually costs in the UK. While every wedding is different, understanding the typical wedding budget in the UK can help you sense-check your plans and set realistic expectations from the start.
On average, a UK wedding budget often sits somewhere between £20,000 and £25,000, but this figure can move up or down significantly depending on your location, guest numbers, venue choice and priorities. London and the South East tend to sit at the higher end of the scale, while smaller weddings, weekday celebrations or off-peak dates can cost considerably less.
It is important to remember that averages are useful as a reference point, but they should not dictate what you spend. A wedding budget should be built around what you can comfortably afford and what matters most to you, not what other couples are spending. This is where having a clear plan makes all the difference. Using a wedding budget spreadsheet allows you to break your total figure down into manageable categories, adjust your spending as you go and make informed decisions based on real numbers rather than guesswork.
1. Working out your Total Wedding Budget
Before planning anything, you need a number. Here is how to get it right.
A. Add up the contributions
Most couples mix their own savings with contributions from parents or relatives. It may feel like an uncomfortable conversation to have, but it's important to get clarity early on who is contributing to the big day, and what they'll be contributing towards. You need:
- Exact amounts being gifted
- When the money will be available
- How it will be paid, e.g. will they pay the supplier directly or send the money to you to manage?
- Whether the contribution is for something specific, like the wedding dress or flowers.
B. Check your savings and regular income
Be realistic. Do not commit future money you do not actually have access to, because that is where stress builds later. Look at what you already have saved and what you can comfortably put aside towards the wedding each month. This gives you a clear picture of what is genuinely available, rather than planning a budget based on optimism.
C. Decide your non-negotiables
What matters most to you both? Getting clear on your priorities makes every decision easier, because you know exactly where you want your money to go. It stops you blowing the budget on things that do not actually matter to you and keeps the focus on the parts of the day that will have the biggest impact.
2. Break down your Wedding Budget by Category
Once you have your total budget, you can start breaking it down by category. Every wedding looks different and your priorities will shape where the money goes, but this is a strong baseline to help you decide how to allocate your spend:
- Venue and catering: 45-50%
- Photography and video: 10-15%
- Outfits: 5-10%
- Hair and make up: 2-5%
- Flowers and decor: 7-10%
- Music & Entertainment: 5-10%
- Stationery: 2-5%
- Transport: 2-3% percent
- Cake: 2-3%
- Extras & contingency fund: approx 10% buffer
Top tip: You will notice there's an "extras and contingency fund" in the list. This is money included in your budget but kept aside unless you genuinely need it. Unexpected costs almost always appear, whether it is something you decide you want later or something you forgot to factor in. Planning for this makes everything easier. If you do not use it, it becomes bonus honeymoon money. If you do, you are still staying within the budget you set and not over-spending.
3. Track everything in one place with a wedding budget spreadsheet
Use a spreadsheet, budgeting app or your wedding planning tool, but make sure everything lives in one single document. Keeping it all together means you can see your total spend, upcoming payments and any changes at a glance, which makes the whole process much easier to manage.
You need columns for:
- Estimated budget - so you know what you plan to spend for each element
- Actual cost - filled in when you've booked the venue or vendor
- Deposit amount - to keep track of the money you paid when you booked
- Payment dates - to make sure you don't get behind on vendor payments
- Supplier contact details - in case of any problems or questions
- Balance remaining - to keep track of payments made and what is left.
We have made it easy for you, so you do not need to build anything from scratch. You can download our budget template here and start tracking everything straight away, keeping your plans organised and your spending clear from day one.
4. How To Stick To Your Budget
Here is where couples tend to fall off track. Use these rules to stay in control.
Get quotes before making decisions
Never assume pricing. Venue and supplier prices can vary massively depending on their experience, the date of your wedding and the package offered. Two suppliers offering what looks like the same service can be miles apart in cost. Getting real quotes early stops you planning your budget around guesses and helps you understand what is actually achievable for your day.
Avoid emotional spending
It is easy to say yes in the moment, especially when you are excited or feel pressured to book quickly. Give yourself time to think. Taking a pause helps you step back, look at the cost properly and check it genuinely fits your budget and priorities before you commit. Most venues and suppliers will let you hold a date for 1-3 days before needing a deposit, which gives you enough space to make a confident decision rather than a rushed one.
Keep family involved, but maintain your boundaries
If someone is contributing financially, involve them in the key discussions so they feel informed and respected, but remember that it is still your budget and your day. Their support should help you, not steer you away from your priorities. Keep communication clear, set boundaries early and make sure everyone understands how decisions will be made.
Don't be shy about asking suppliers for options
Fallen in love with a business but not sure if you can afford the package they've proposed? Chat to them about it. Most venues and suppliers can tailor their packages, scale things down or suggest money saving alternatives that still give you the look or experience you want. It is always worth asking because small changes to timings, quantities or styling can make a big difference to the cost without taking anything away from the feel of your day.
Review your spreadsheet regularly
Make sure you review your wedding budget spreadsheet regularly. Update it every time you book something new or make a payment, and set aside time each month to go through it together with your partner so you both stay on top of the numbers.
5. The Common Costs Couples Forget
These are the classic budget breakers that catch couples off guard. They do not always show up in the initial quotes and can feel insignificant at first, but once they start adding up they can make a noticeable dent in your total spend and push you off track if you have not planned for them:
- Corkage and cake cutting fees
- Alterations for outfits, which can add up depending on the work needed
- Meals for suppliers who are with you all day
- Delivery fees for decor, furniture or flowers
- Postage for invitations and thank you cards
- Beauty trials for hair and makeup
- Service charges and VAT, which can significantly increase the final bill
- Last minute weather solutions like umbrellas, heaters or blankets
These costs are easy to overlook during planning, which is why having your contingency fund in place is so important. It gives you the flexibility to handle these extras without stress or overspending.
6. Smart Ways To Save Money (Without Making It Look Cheap)
Choose a weekday and/or off peak date
You can save thousands simply by avoiding peak Saturdays in summer. Venues and suppliers often offer much lower rates midweek or during quieter months, and you will have a wider choice of availability too.
Trim your guest list
Every guest increases the cost of catering, furniture, space and decor. Reducing your numbers even slightly can free up a significant amount of budget that you can use on the things that matter most.
Go seasonal with flowers
Seasonal stems are more affordable, easier for florists to source and tend to look fresher and more natural. You will get a better result for your money compared with choosing flowers that need importing or are out of season.
Skip unnecessary extras
Fancy favours, luxury linens and premium stationery might look nice, but they add up fast. If they are not a priority for you, cutting back on these extras can save hundreds without affecting the atmosphere of your day.
Reuse your decor
Maximise what you are already paying for. Ceremony flowers can be moved to the reception, aisle arrangements can be repurposed around the venue and centrepieces can be adapted for different parts of the day. It is an easy way to get double the value (and to be more eco-friendly!).
Choose digital RSVPs
Digital RSVPs reduce printing and postage costs and keep everything organised in one place. They also make it easier to track responses, chase missing replies and update guest information without extra admin.
7. Staying Sane Through The Process
Money chat can get stressful. Couples often feel guilty about spending too much, or embarrassed about setting limits. Here is your reminder:
You do not need to match anyone else's wedding. Create a day that feels right for you, your relationship and your finances.
Free Downloadable Wedding Budget Spreadsheet
Planning a wedding gets a lot easier when you can actually see where your money is going. Our free wedding budget spreadsheet template gives you a simple, organised place to track your budget, payments, supplier details and remaining balances. It follows the same budgeting method we recommend to all couples, helping you stay on top of costs, avoid surprise fees and make confident decisions throughout your planning.
Complete your details below and we'll send the template compete with all the formulas and charts you need to your inbox. In your copy, you personalise everything and start building a budget that actually works for you.