How Much Does A Wedding Cost In The UK and How to Fund It?
Planning a wedding is a dream come true. You are looking forward to sharing your life with that person who you love so much and want to spend the rest of your life with. The next question that pops up is, "How much does it cost to have a wedding in the UK?" This can be understood by knowing the different aspects involved in planning this event. So let's look at the average wedding costs in the UK and some methods to fund it.
How Much Does a Wedding Cost?
It’s a question that you’re probably tired of hearing, but it’s still worth answering. The average cost of a wedding in the UK is £20,000. This includes everything from the venue to flowers, food and drinks, music and entertainment.
How much is that? Well, it depends on what you want or need. A small ceremony at the registry office could cost between £2,500 and £3,000. A larger venue with more guests will cost more than double this amount. A typical wedding reception can also set you back by around £4 - 5k (depending on venue type).
If we take a look at the Bridebook’s December 2020 survey of over 4500 couples, the average wedding cost was £14,422 in 2020 and £20,731 in 2019. The latest Bridebook’s January 2022 survey of nearly 5,500 UK couples shows that the average wedding cost in 2021 was £20,254. Here are the seven key areas couples were spending:
Venue hire - £7,600
Wedding dress - £1,300
Photography - £1,200
Groom’s attire - £500
Catering per head - £65
Bridal hair - £80
Bridal makeup - £70
5 Ways To Fund Your Dream Wedding
Are you planning to pay for your dream wedding? Here are a few tips that can help you get started:
1. Start Saving Early
If you're planning on tying the knot in the next year or so, it's time to start putting some serious money away. That doesn't mean you need to put away a ton of cash, but it does mean that you should be getting your finances in order before committing to an expense like this one.
2. Cut Back on Expenses
The second step to funding your dream wedding is to cut back on the things you don’t need. Start by taking a hard look at your budget, and start cutting back where possible.
Some people will find it easier to cut back on their clothes, while others might want to cut down on eating out or going out. Whatever works for you, make sure you are realistic about what you can afford and how much time your partner will spend on the wedding to get the arrangements done.
3. Take out a Loan
#AD If you can't afford a wedding on your own, then you may be able to get a loan from your bank or credit union. A typical loan for a wedding in the UK is around £10,000 - £20,000, but this varies depending on the event's size and the expense involved. You can borrow £20000 unsecured personal loan looking at the recent reports of the average budget. You should find out about funding options at your local bank or look at loan comparison sites when looking for loans; needless to say, if you can fund your wedding without getting into debt, that's preferable to taking out credit, which will impact your credit going forward, and might cost you a large amount extra when you factor in interest payments.
4. Settle for a more Realistic Dream
A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so it's important to be realistic about what you can afford. It's tempting to spend beyond your means, but you'll regret it if you do.
To get started, try to set a budget that allows for the things you really want. If there are things on your wish list that you know won't be possible without going into debt, put them in a separate category and set aside money for those items separately.
You can also expect the unexpected when planning a wedding. For example, if the weather doesn't cooperate or a guest cancels at the last minute, don't panic — adjust your budget accordingly.
5. Ask Family and Friends to chip in
If you have a large family and many friends, then it is possible for everyone to chip in for a big event. But if you don’t have that many people in your family or if you are not as close with everyone, then it may be hard for them to give money for your big day.
So instead of asking them all at once, ask one person at a time. Write their names on a piece of paper and email them asking them if they would like to help pay for the wedding!
Conclusion
Getting married can be expensive, no matter where you live. Don't let it be more costly than it has to be! Plan ahead, save money and find a great wedding venue that doesn't cost the earth. Be creative when it comes to invitations and save money on them. Remember, it's the day you will share with your loved one, not how much you've spent on your guests.
This is a collaborative post.