How to Set a Wedding Budget (and Stick to It)

Your budget shapes every other decision, so it's worth an honest evening with a spreadsheet before you fall in love with a venue. The goal isn't to spend as little as possible — it's to spend on what matters to you.

Start with the real number

Add up savings you'll put aside, what you can save between now and the wedding, and any family contributions that have been clearly offered. Agree the total before you start browsing; it's much easier than trimming later.

Your guest list is your biggest lever

Most wedding costs scale with people: food, drink, chairs, favours, stationery, even the size of the venue. Cutting ten guests often saves more than any single supplier negotiation. Draft your guest list early and treat it as part of the budget conversation.

A typical split

Every wedding is different, but as a starting point:

• Venue and catering: 40–50%
• Photography and video: around 10%
• Dress, suits and beauty: around 9%
• Flowers and styling: around 8%
• Music and entertainment: around 7%
• Rings, cake, stationery, transport and favours: the remainder
• Contingency: 5–10%

Our budget calculator lets you adjust each percentage and see the totals instantly.

Ways to save without it showing

• Choose a Friday, Sunday or off-season date.
• Use seasonal flowers and repurpose ceremony arrangements at the reception.
• Serve the cake as dessert.
• Put money into the things guests remember — food, music and a great photographer — and less into favours and stationery.

Track everything

Record every deposit, balance and due date. A single shared sheet saves arguments and stops anything being forgotten in the final weeks.

Frequently asked questions