Let’s be honest: weddings are expensive. According to recent data from Bridebook, the average cost of a UK wedding in 2026 is sitting at a hefty £20,604. That is enough to buy a very nice car or put a serious dent in a house deposit.
But you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a beautiful day. In fact, some of the most memorable weddings are the ones where couples got creative with their budget rather than just throwing cash at everything.
Whether you are hoping to spend £5,000 or £15,000, trimming the costs doesn’t mean your big day has to feel “cheap.” It just means spending money on the things that actually matter to you as a couple and finding clever workarounds for the rest.
Here are 12 practical ways to save money while planning the wedding of your dreams.
1. Booking the Right Wedding Venue
This is one of the biggest money-savers out there. Traditional or popular wedding venues often charge a premium just for the room hire, sometimes thousands of pounds, before you have even looked at the food!
There are so many choices, and while we have been planning our wedding, I have found a huge difference in the prices. Some literally were double what we have settled on for pretty much the same package! You will never be able to compare like with like, but consider it a total cost and what you get for it.
Whether you choose a registry office, a hotel reception, or the whole day at one venue, the costs need to be considered. You can not possibly compare the two, so it needs to be what you will love, within your budget. Looking at different local registry offices can also make a huge difference. We are getting married at one next to Newark Castle! Ask your friend group, check Square Meal, ask the registry office, or look on the local council website to find all the venues available near you.
2. Hire a Cheaper Photographer
Photography is usually one of the biggest expenses, often costing over £1,500. While professional photos are wonderful, they can eat up a huge chunk of your budget.
Consider reaching out to local universities or art colleges. Many photography students are incredibly talented and looking to build their portfolios. They will often charge a fraction of the price of a seasoned pro. Just make sure you look at their previous work first to ensure their style matches what you want.
Alternatively, look for a photographer who usually specialises in a different area of photography but wants to move into wedding photography. They will be keen to build their portfolio and probably charge significantly less. They have plenty of experience with their camera, so are likely to still do a brilliant job.
3. Trim the Guest List
It sounds harsh, but it is simple maths. If you are paying £117 per head for catering (which is the current average according to Bridebook), cutting just 10 people saves you over £1,000.
Ask yourself: have you spoken to this person in the last year? If they weren’t at your wedding, would you truly miss them? If the answer is no, take them off the list. An intimate wedding often feels more special anyway. The way I considered it was: if I were in their area and had free time, would I reach out to see if they were free? If I weren’t, then am I that bothered about paying for their meal for the day!
4. Skip the Saturday Wedding
Saturdays in summer are “prime time” for weddings, and venues charge the highest for them. By simply moving your date to a Friday, Sunday, or even a midweek day, you could reduce venue costs by up to 50%.
Also, consider an off-peak month. January, February, and November are significantly cheaper than June or August. A cosy winter wedding with candles and mulled wine can be just as romantic as a summer one. Maybe there is a special date, such as the date you met, which would make it special.
5. Ditch the Sit-Down Meal
A formal three-course wedding breakfast is traditional, but it is also pricey. Why not mix it up?
- Afternoon Tea: Scones, sandwiches, and tea (or prosecco) are lovely and much cheaper than a hot meal.
- Hog Roast or BBQ: Great for a relaxed summer vibe and usually costs much less per head.
- Food Trucks: Hire a pizza van or similar for the evening. It’s fun, memorable, and less cost.
- A Buffet: We are having a formal buffet, so we have tables set properly and a table plan, but then a buffet table that guests are, table by table, invited to go up to. Once everyone has been up once, it will be more of a free-for-all for return trips!
6. Go Digital with Invites
Stationery costs add up quickly. Save the dates, invites, RSVPs, menus, orders of service, it never ends.
Save money (and trees) by sending digital invitations. Websites like Joy or WithJoy allow you to create a free wedding website where guests can RSVP online. If you really want paper invites, just print a few for close family and older relatives who might not be online, and email the rest.
7. Buy High Street or Second-Hand Dresses
You do not need to spend £2,000 on a dress you will wear for 10 hours. High street brands like ASOS, Monsoon, and even H&M have launched stunning bridal collections, with dresses often costing under £200.
Alternatively, look at sites like Vinted or Stillwhite for second-hand designer dresses. Most have been professionally cleaned and look brand new. No one will know the difference! You could even count it as your “something old”.
If you have your heart set on a designer dress but can’t stomach the price tag, hunt for sample sales. Bridal boutiques often sell off their “try-on” dresses at a huge discount to make room for new stock. You might need to pay for a few alterations or a dry clean, but the savings are worth it.
8. Be Your Own DJ
A live band is amazing, but it can cost between £1,000 and £4,000. A DJ is cheaper, but still an extra expense.
The solution? Spotify. Create your own ultimate wedding playlist with all your favourite songs. Rent a decent sound system and ask a trusted friend to man the “play” button for the first dance. This gives you total control over the music and ensures no cheesy tunes are played unless you want them.
9. DIY Your Decor
You don’t need a professional stylist to make a room look good.
- Flowers: Buy bunches of flowers from a local market or supermarket the day before and arrange them yourself in jars.
- Centrepieces: Collect empty gin or wine bottles, clean them, and place fairy lights or a single flower stem in each.
- Confetti: Use a hole punch to punch holes in dried leaves for free, eco-friendly confetti.
10. Hair and Make Up
If you are trying to cut costs, this is a really easy one. I have seen charges of £500+ for wedding hair and make-up for the bride and one or two others. I have saved money by asking my regular hairdresser to do them for me at less than £100, but I was tempted to just do my own. After all, I can practice daily for months before until I get the exact look I like.
11. Lose the Wedding Car
Does it really matter if you arrive in a vintage Rolls-Royce? It looks nice for about two minutes, and then it’s gone.
Ask a friend with a nice, clean car to drive you, or just book a premium Uber or local taxi. Once you are inside the venue, no one is thinking about how you got there.
12. BYOB (Corkage)
Alcohol mark-ups at venues can be eye-watering. Look for a venue that allows “Corkage.” This means you can buy your own wine and beer from a supermarket (hello, deals!) and pay a small fee to the venue to open and serve it. Even with the fee, it usually works out much cheaper than paying bar prices.
Just Remember
Your wedding day is about celebrating love, not showing off how much money you can spend. By prioritising what matters to you, whether that is the food, the photos, or just having a good party, and cutting back on the rest, you can have an incredible day without starting married life in debt.
Remember, the best weddings are the ones filled with laughter, not the ones with the most expensive chair covers.
FAQs about Wedding Costs
How much does the average UK wedding cost?
As of 2026, the average cost is around £20,604 according to Bridebook. However, this varies wildly depending on where you live. For example, London weddings average nearly £27,000, while weddings in the North West are closer to £17,000.
What is the most expensive part of a wedding?
Usually, the venue and catering take up the biggest chunk of the budget, often around 50% of your total spend.
Can I plan a wedding for under £10,000?
Absolutely. About 25% of UK couples spend £10,000 or less. It requires being strict with your guest list and likely choosing a non-traditional venue, but it is very doable.
Is wedding insurance worth it?
Yes. It is a small cost (often under £100) that protects you if suppliers go bust or if illness/weather forces you to cancel. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
