Weddings are, for many of us, the happiest day of our lives, but they can also be a little… spendy. In the UK, around 243,000 couples tie the knot each year, with one in five choosing to wed abroad. That’s roughly 53,200 destination weddings annually!
In 2024, the average UK wedding cost was £23,250 and the average guest list reached 89, up from around 80–81 in 2022/23. With budgets under pressure, guest numbers creeping up, and expectations shifting, couples are finding new ways to make their weddings meaningful, memorable, and manageable, both emotionally and financially.
To get a clearer picture of the modern wedding landscape, we surveyed 500 people who got married in the last 10 years and spoke to a wedding planning expert to uncover the key stress points, guest priorities, and where to budget your money.
What Brits find most stressful about weddings
Stress touches most planning journeys, and our data shows exactly where tension builds. The biggest pressure is the pursuit of perfection. Almost half of couples (49%) said “making sure it was perfect” was their top stressor, yet more than a third (37%) later regretted spending so much time worrying.
Budget management came a close second, with 48% admitting it caused the most stress. That worry wasn’t unfounded, as 28% regretted overspending, while many pointed to specific budget blowouts in areas like the honeymoon (50%), wedding outfits (45%), entertainment (42%), and catering & drinks (41%).
Guest-related pressures were another common theme. Nearly a third (30%) found guest list decisions stressful, while 36% felt pressure to please everyone. It’s a delicate balancing act that can see couples compromising their own vision to keep others happy. This often leads to hindsight regrets, echoed by 31% wishing they hadn’t let others influence their plans.
Decide early what matters most to you, whether that is live music, a dream menu or unforgettable photography, and ring-fence your budget there. Keep guest numbers realistic so you can create a warm, personal experience without stretching yourself thin. And be prepared to say no to requests that don’t fit your vision. Most importantly, let go of perfection, as the moments you’ll treasure are often the ones you didn’t plan for.
The guest perspective: Wedding hits and misses
Winning over your guests is simpler than you might think. Good food, 65%, and a lively, well-planned reception, 64%, top the list. Music and entertainment are central to that experience. Forty-two per cent said a good DJ was key to a great night. The message is clear: great food, a buzzing dance floor and the right atmosphere are what people remember!
While authenticity and personal touches, 26%, and bold décor, 26%, are appreciated, they don’t carry the same weight as the people and the party. Almost half, 46%, said their highlight is time with family and friends. Guests come for you, and the shared celebration, not just the décor or formalities. Even tradition (21%) and stag or hen dos (10%) ranked low, showing couples can feel confident in skipping traditions that don’t resonate and focusing on elements that do.
When asked what they’d include if planning a wedding today, guests leaned towards ideas that capture the magic of the moment and keep it alive for years to come. Forty-five per cent would hire a wedding content creator to document candid moments in real time, while 40% liked the nostalgic charm of vintage cameras or film. Another 28% would invite a live painter to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake!
Smaller, more intimate celebrations are gaining momentum too, with 30% opting for a micro wedding. This fits a wider shift towards big days that prioritise connection and atmosphere over scale.
The real price of ‘I Do’
Money talk doesn’t have to kill the romance. Our survey shows there’s no single right budget, and many couples are proving it’s possible to plan an unforgettable day without financial strain.
The average UK wedding spend came in at £28,610, but costs varied widely. Almost one in five couples (19%) went all out with £50,000 or more, while 7% pulled off their big day for under £5,000. More than half (53%) avoided wedding debt entirely, and those who did borrow often kept it modest. 8% borrowed under £1,000 and 12% borrowed between £1,000 and £5,000. Only a small 4% took on £20,000 or more in debt, with the average amount borrowed just £3,917.
Given that budget management was one of the biggest stress points, the picture on wedding debt is encouraging. The key is to be intentional about where your money goes. Costs can quickly spiral when excitement takes over, but the right approach can help you spend smart and still deliver all the magic.
- Smaller guest lists to allow for higher-quality catering or entertainment.
- DIY décor to cut costs and add a personal touch.
- Eco-conscious choices such as locally grown flowers, rented décor or second-hand wedding dresses.
- Digital invites to avoid printing and postage.
- Seasonal menus with locally sourced dishes to reduce food miles and cost.
- One venue for all so, ceremony and reception share the same space and transport costs fall.
- Borrowed items from trusted friends and family, from tableware to accessories.
- A contingency of 10 to 15% for the unexpected.
- Mindful splurges on what matters most to you and your guests, and less on lower-impact extras.
By making thoughtful choices, you can turn spending into lasting memories rather than fleeting extras. If you’re at the start line, our essential wedding planning checklist keeps you on track from first budget to wedding day essentials. And if you’re helping someone else celebrate their big day, dive into our wonderful range of wedding cards!
Whether you’re hosting a grand affair or an intimate gathering, the heart of your day remains the same: a celebration of love. With realistic planning, sensible budgeting, and a clear focus on what matters most, your big day can be both enjoyable and unforgettable.
