Wedding Budget Calculator
Plan your wedding budget with a full cost breakdown by category. See average UK wedding costs for venue, catering, photography, and more.
Last updated: March 2026
Venue Budget
£$7,000
Catering Budget
£$6,000
Photography Budget
£$2,000
Remaining Budget
£$5,000
Cost per Guest
£$250.00
How You Compare
Your cost per guest is better than 50% of UK weddings.
Industry typical: £100-£500 per guest
Source: Hitched Wedding Survey 2025
💡 What This Means
- 📊 £250 per guest is within the typical UK range. Your venue budget of £7000 is the biggest single cost.
- ✅ You have £5000 remaining for flowers, music, dress, rings, and other costs. This is tight — prioritize what matters most to you.
- 💡 Photography budget of £2000 should get you a good photographer. This is the one thing couples say they'd never cut — photos are all you have after the day.
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What is Wedding Budget?
A wedding budget is the total estimated cost of planning and hosting a wedding, covering venue, catering, photography, entertainment, attire, decorations, and all associated expenses. UK weddings cost £20,000-30,000 on average, but costs vary enormously by location, guest count, and personal choices. For individual cost breakdowns, see the Event Cost Calculator and Venue Hire Calculator.
The Formula
Total Budget = Venue + (Catering per Head × Guests) + Photography + Decorations + Entertainment + Attire + Other
Worked Example
An 80-guest wedding: £5,000 venue, £85/head catering, £1,500 photographer, £800 flowers, £600 DJ, £2,000 attire, £1,000 other costs.
- Venue hire = £5,000
- Catering = £85 × 80 = £6,800
- Photography = £1,500
- Flowers & decorations = £800
- Entertainment = £600
- Attire (dress, suit, accessories) = £2,000
- Other (stationery, transport, favours) = £1,000
📌 Total wedding budget: £17,700 for 80 guests — £221 per guest. This is below the UK average, achieved by smart venue selection and prioritising spending on what matters most.
Why This Matters
Avoid post-wedding debt
Starting married life with £10,000-20,000 of wedding debt strains the relationship. Setting a realistic budget — and sticking to it — prevents financial stress during what should be a joyful period.
Prioritise what matters
Budget allocation reveals priorities. If food and drink are your priority, allocate 45-50% there and save on decorations. The best weddings aren't the most expensive — they're the ones where spending aligns with values.
Common Mistakes
❌ Forgetting the "hidden" 20%
Service charges (12.5%), corkage fees, cake-cutting fees, overtime costs, tips, and last-minute additions typically add 20% to the quoted prices. Build this buffer into your budget from the start.
❌ Inviting too many guests
Each additional guest costs £85-150 in catering, drinks, and favours. Cutting 20 guests saves £1,700-3,000 — enough for a significant upgrade to photography or entertainment.
Industry Benchmarks
| Category | Good | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cost UK | £15,000-20,000 | £20,000-30,000 | Above £35,000 |
| Cost per guest | Below £150 | £150-250 | Above £300 |
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