How much does a wedding cost in 2022?

Wondering what the price of weddings is this year? We surveyed 1,000 couples to find out how much they are spending on their wedding, and what the cost of attending the nuptials is.
We wanted to identify what the average price of a wedding is in 2022, and how much guests are paying to attend the wedding, hen/stag do, and how much they are forking out for their outfits! Our study revealed shocking data – breaking down how much couples are willing to borrow from friends and family, and how much Brits think a wedding gift should cost.

How much should a wedding cost?

We asked our audience how much they think is a reasonable amount of money to spend on a wedding, with answers ranging from £0- 50,000.
The data showed that, in 2022, £6,000-10,000 is the popular amount which Brits think should be spent on a wedding today, with one in three respondents confirming they think this is the ideal amount to spend.
With the average cost of a wedding in the UK sitting at £30,000, our research showed this average is 200% higher than what one in three Brits are willing to pay.
In fact, when analysing the data, we found that only one in ten Brits said they would be happy to spend between £21,000 – £30,000.

Overall, the research showed 55% of Brits want their wedding to cost £10,000 or less, demonstrating that the majority of respondents are looking to stick to a budget for their own big day.

Should friends and family pay towards a wedding?

With the cost of weddings rising every year, it isn’t uncommon for family and friends to contribute or chip in for the celebrations of couples. To find out exactly how much people would accept from their loved ones, we asked our respondents who they would be willing to ask for help to pay for their wedding from, and how much they would accept.

One in three people said they would ask their parents for help to pay for their wedding, whereas  just one in six respondents said that they would ask their partner’s parents. 
The research showed individuals would feel more comfortable getting money from a loan company than their friends, siblings or grandparents. In fact, one in eight respondents said they would use money from a loan company to pay for their wedding, compared to one in twelve who would ask their friends, siblings or grandparents.

When asked how much money they would accept from their parents to pay for their wedding day, the majority of Brits are comfortable with up to £5,000.
However, almost a quarter of Brits said they would accept above £21,000, demonstrating that the contributions which respondents expect from their family does vary significantly.

How much does it cost to attend a wedding?

Despite how joyous attending the wedding of loved ones can be, it can also be pretty expensive, according to our new research.
We wanted to find out roughly how much Brits think they should be paying to attend a wedding, and who they think should be paying for various aspects of the big day.
According to our respondents, when it comes to the often debated topic of bridesmaids dresses, it is the bride and groom who should be footing this bill. Our survey has revealed that over two-thirds of Brits think the couple themselves should pay for the dresses, and not the bridesmaids.

For the outfit guests wear to a wedding, we found respondents were most happy paying between £51-100 for an outfit. The gift worked out as another £21-50, with over a third confirming this was their preferred price.

When we delved into the price of hen or stag do’s, our respondents told us the average amount they have spent on attending an event was £51-100, with this also being the preferred price for a hotel wedding stay, too.
Overall, our research shows Brits are most comfortable paying a maximum of £350 to attend a wedding, when including the gift, hen/stag do, an outfit and a hotel to stay over.

Tips for planning a wedding on a budget

With the average wedding costing £30,000, but our research showing that 55% of Brits want their wedding to cost less than £10,000, we have put together tips on how you can work out a realistic budget for your special day.
While there are certain aspects of the day which you will want to prioritise, there will be others you are happy to save money on. The most important part is to find out what a realistic budget is for you and your partner, and how you can make your budget work for your dream wedding.

1. Set a wedding budget with your partner

Before you begin speaking with venues, caterers or even wedding planners, it is best to assess how much you can afford to spend on your wedding. Here, it is useful to discuss what kind of wedding you and your partner would prefer. Is it a smaller ceremony and big party you want, or a small party and big honeymoon?
By calculating exactly how much you have in savings, you can both work out how much you want to put towards your wedding. However much you decide, it is good to keep around 20% of your budget as a cushion, since there are usually hidden costs with weddings. This way, you will have a buffer for any additional expenses which come in.

2. Get an understanding of anyone else who will contribute

With our research showing that one in three people would accept money from their parents for their wedding fund, it is worth seeing if any loved ones are keen to help out financially. One of the best ways to broach this topic is to ask if they would like to be involved in the wedding planning or would be happy to help. Although this can be a difficult conversation to have, it is worth having early on so you can get a full understanding of your total budget.

3. Create a guest list

The number of people on your guest list will significantly impact how much your wedding day is going to cost. Many venues and caterers will have a cost per head, so doing research to identify how much venues in your ideal location will cost could help you decide on a rough guest list number.
For a smaller guest list, to avoid the route of cost per head, you could consider a stretch tent to suit a garden or courtyard. Perfect for an intimate rustic, vintage-inspired theme, this could allow you to keep on budget with outdoor lighting, jam jars of flowers and cocktail stations for guests to enjoy.
It is worth discussing with your partner who will have control over the guest list, too, in terms of your immediate family. Often when couples accept financial support from their parents, there is an expectation that they will be allocated a number of guests which they can invite. If you are looking to keep your wedding on a tight budget, it is worth communicating this early on.

4. Think twice about getting married on a Saturday

By choosing not to get married on a popular day, you can cut a significant amount off the cost of your wedding. While the most common day to get married is a Saturday, couples who opt for a Sunday or Friday can receive a discounted price in many venues.
Weekday weddings are also becoming popular, particularly as weekend slots are difficult to find after the pandemic. However, couples should be careful when choosing a weekday slot if the wedding is in a venue far from relatives, since this could limit the number of people who can attend.

5. Try handmade touches where possible

Instead of commercial wedding invitations or save the date cards, a great way to save money before the wedding is to design and print your own invites. Not only will this give you the opportunity to customise your invitations to suit your style, it also means you can personalise each one and ship them off with speed.
When it comes to the wedding day itself, making your own decorations and wedding favours is a fun way to save money. Instead of a photo booth which can cost hundreds, consider buying a few polaroid cameras and a guestbook for a DIY twist on the idea. Another crafty idea is to put empty wine bottles to good use, painting table numbers on them and using them to signal the seating arrangements.