Is a UK Wedding Really £60,000? Why Couples Are Rethinking the Cost of Saying “I Do”
For many couples, the dream wedding has become wrapped up in a number: the bigger the budget, the more magical the day is supposed to be. But with reports suggesting that the average UK wedding can now cost as much as £60,000, many couples are understandably asking the same question: does a beautiful wedding really need to come with such a huge price tag?
According to Just About Weddings, the UK’s only full wedding vendor group, the answer is no.
The company believes that many couples are paying far more than they need to, often assuming that a higher price automatically means a better service. In reality, they say, a wedding costing £60,000 could often deliver the same level of quality, style and experience for closer to £35,000–£40,000 by choosing suppliers who offer genuine value rather than inflated pricing.
“One of the biggest misconceptions in the wedding industry is that spending more automatically means getting a better supplier,” explains founder Nick Harris. “Couples should focus on the quality of what’s being delivered, rather than assuming a higher quote means they’re getting something better. Invariably, you’re not.”
And perhaps that is the question many couples are beginning to ask themselves: are we paying for the wedding we actually want, or simply paying for the expectations that come with the industry?
A Different Approach to Wedding Planning
Founded by Nick and Alex Harris, Just About Weddings was created after years of experience within the wedding industry highlighted a growing problem: couples were struggling to find suppliers who combined exceptional service with fair and transparent pricing.
Rather than accept that luxury weddings had to mean luxury price tags, the couple set out to create a different approach, one where couples could enjoy beautifully delivered weddings without unnecessary mark-ups.
The result is a wedding group offering everything from planning and catering to photography, floristry, entertainment, hair and make-up, all with a focus on clear pricing and trusted suppliers.
Whether couples choose full wedding planning support or individual services, the philosophy remains the same: making the process simpler, more transparent and helping couples feel confident about where their money is going.
Where Wedding Costs Can Quickly Add Up
While every wedding is unique, some areas of the industry can significantly increase a couple’s budget. Just About Weddings highlights some of the biggest differences between traditional wedding pricing and their own approach:
| Service | Typical Wedding Industry Cost | Just About Weddings Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding Planning | £8,000 | £3,000 |
| Photography & Videography | £5,000 | £2,500 |
| Catering | £160 per head | £95 per head |
| Flowers | £4,000 | £3,250 |
| Hair & Makeup | £1,600 | £1,000 |
| Entertainment | £2,200 | £1,500 |
Of course, weddings are incredibly personal, and there will always be couples who want to spend more on certain elements that matter most to them. Whether it is the perfect venue, incredible food, breathtaking flowers or a photographer who captures every emotional moment, everyone’s priorities are different.
But the message from Just About Weddings is that couples should be able to make those choices because they want to — not because they feel pressured into spending more.
The Hidden Costs Couples Don’t Always See
One of the biggest frustrations for couples planning their wedding is discovering that the initial quote is not always the final cost.
Additional charges for staffing, crockery, VAT, travel, set-up and clear-up fees can quickly turn what looked like an affordable package into something much more expensive.
Catering is one area where this can often happen. A menu advertised at one price per head can increase significantly once all the extras are added.
Just About Weddings believes transparency should be at the heart of wedding planning, with couples able to clearly see exactly what they are paying for from the beginning. No surprises, no confusing extras and no worrying about where the budget has disappeared.
The Things Guests Remember Aren’t the Price Tag
While the wedding industry can sometimes make couples feel that every detail needs to be bigger, grander and more expensive, the reality is that the moments people remember are often much simpler.
It is the laughter during the speeches, the happy tears during the ceremony, the dancing that carries on late into the night and the feeling of being surrounded by the people who matter most.
“The best weddings are the ones where you’re surrounded by people who genuinely love and support you, not based on what you spend,” says Nick Harris. “That’s what guests remember long after the day is over – the sense of love and joy.”
And perhaps that is the biggest wedding trend of all: moving away from creating a day designed to impress everyone else, and towards creating a celebration that genuinely reflects the couple themselves.
Because at the heart of every wedding is not the flowers, the venue or the price tag. It is the people, the memories and the beginning of a new chapter together.
For more information about Just About Weddings, visit their website.
Poppy Watt