This guide provides general information only. It is not financial or tax advice and doesn't take into account your personal circumstances.
In this article
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Why it pays to plan your wedding savings early
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How much does a wedding cost in the UK?
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Example wedding budgets
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Two simple ways to plan your wedding savings
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Making a list of wedding costs
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Choosing the right way to save for your wedding
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Saving together or separately
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Other ways to boost your wedding budget
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Common wedding savings mistakes to avoid
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Things to keep in mind when saving
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Common questions about saving for a wedding
Why it pays to plan your wedding savings early
Weddings come with a whole host of costs, some large, some small. By starting your savings plan for your wedding early, you can:
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Work out at the costs you’re likely to have to pay
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Decide how you’ll cover them (eg, by saving up or borrowing)
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Spread the costs over months or even years
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Earn interest as your money grows
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Reduce stress as payments approach
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Make confident choices about what you can afford
Even if you haven’t set a date, saving now gives you more options later
Starting early also means you can take advantage of deals, compare prices and avoid paying extra for last-minute bookings. You’ll have more time to research, ask for recommendations and make decisions that suit your budget and style.
If you’re not sure where to begin, open a separate savings account just for your wedding. This makes it easier to track your progress and avoid dipping into your fund for other expenses.
How much does a wedding cost in the UK?
Wedding costs vary. Some couples keep things simple, while others plan a bigger celebration. We’ve given some example costs for different wedding sizes in the next section.
Common costs include:
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Venue hire and deposits
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Catering and drinks
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Clothing, accessories and alterations
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Photography and videography
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Flowers, decorations and entertainment
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Travel, accommodation, and honeymoon
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Stag and hen parties
Many expenses need to be paid before the big day, so saving ahead of time is important.
It’s easy to underestimate how quickly costs add up. Even small details like favours, transport or thank-you gifts can make a difference to your budget. That’s why it helps to write everything down and update your list as your plans develop.
Example wedding budgets
Every wedding is unique, but here are three sample budgets to help you plan.
These examples show how costs can vary depending on what you include, guest numbers and how much you want to spend on different aspects of the occasion.
| Small wedding | Mid-range wedding | Large wedding | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Guests |
30 |
80 |
150 |
|
Venue and ceremony |
£1,500 |
£4,000 |
£8,000 |
|
Food and drinks |
£1,200 |
£3,000 |
£6,000 |
|
Outfits |
£600 |
£1,200 |
£2,000 |
|
Photography |
£500 |
£1,000 |
£2,000 |
|
Flowers and decorations |
£300 |
£800 |
£1,500 |
|
Entertainment |
£200 |
£600 |
£1,200 |
|
Invitations and stationery |
£100 |
£300 |
£600 |
|
Transport |
0 |
£400 |
£800 |
|
Accommodation |
0 |
0 |
£1,000 |
|
Miscellaneous |
£200 |
£400 |
£900 |
|
Total |
£4,600 |
£11,700 |
£24,000 |
Your own costs may be higher or lower than these examples, depending on your choices. Adjust the figures to fit your own plans. Take out things that aren’t important to you and add in the things that are.
The most important thing is to set a budget that feels comfortable for you.
Start saving for your dream wedding today
Two simple ways to plan your wedding savings
There are two ways of understanding how much you’ll need to save for your wedding day.
Start with your timescale
If you know your wedding date, work backwards. Count the months until your wedding and divide your total budget by that number. This shows how much you need to save each month. Even small, regular amounts add up over time.
For example, if you want to save £6,000 in two years, that’s £250 a month. If you can save more some months, you’ll reach your goal sooner.
Start with your budget
If you have a rough idea of what you’d like to spend, divide that figure by the number of months until your wedding. This helps you see if your plans are realistic and where you might need to adjust.
Review your monthly budget to spot where you can free up extra money for your wedding fund. Cutting back on takeaways, subscriptions or impulse buys can make a real difference.
Making a list of wedding costs
Writing down all your costs makes your goal feel manageable and helps you avoid surprises.
Be sure to list:
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Any upfront deposits needed
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Payments that are due before the wedding day
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Costs you can settle after the wedding day
Revisit and update your list often as your plans change to stay on track.
Keep track of different cost types
Break your list into sections, such as venue, food, outfits and extras. This helps you see where most of your money will go and where you might want to refine things, such as to spend less.
Some couples use a spreadsheet or a wedding planning app to keep track. Others prefer a notebook. Choose what works for you, but keep your list updated as you book suppliers or change your plans.
Ways to save for your wedding
Different savings options suit different timelines.
What works best for you will depend on when you’re likely to need access to your money.
Saving for longer than a year
Fixed-rate savings accounts and bonds offer a guaranteed rate if you lock your money away. This usually means you won't be able to access your money before the end of the term without paying a penalty.
Alternatively, a cash ISA lets you earn interest tax-free within your personal ISA allowance, subject to current ISA rules.
If you’re planning well ahead, these options may help your savings grow over time, but usually means tying your money up for a set period. Just make sure you won’t need to dip into the money before the end of the term.
Saving with flexibility
If you need to dip into your savings, an easy access account lets you withdraw money when needed, while still earning interest. This is useful if you need to pay deposits or suppliers at different times. But keep in mind interest rates on these accounts can change over time.
Saving regularly
Setting up a standing order helps you save automatically each month. Some accounts reward regular saving with higher interest rates.
Compare savings accounts to find one that matches your timeline and needs. Some accounts may offer higher interest rates for regular saving, often with conditions such as deposit limits.
Saving together or separately
How you best save for your wedding will likely be an important discussion for you and your partner. Some couples save together in a joint account, while others prefer separate accounts. If you choose a joint account, both account holders usually have equal access to the money.
How much each partner puts in will vary depending on your circumstances.
Points to talk about include:
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How much each of you can save
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Whether to use one account or two for the wedding
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How to handle unexpected costs
If you choose a joint account, make sure both of you can access it and track your collective spending. If you keep separate accounts, agree on how much each person will contribute and how you’ll pay for shared costs.
There’s no right or wrong way. What matters is finding an approach that feels fair and manageable for both of you. Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings.
Other ways to boost your wedding budget
Need to give your wedding pot a boost? You can grow your fund by:
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Reviewing your subscriptions or regular outgoings and cutting back on things you can do without (at least for now)
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Saving any monetary gifts or bonuses you receive
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Putting aside refunds or unexpected income
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Taking on extra work or side jobs for a short time
Even small extra payments add up over time. Some couples ask for cash gifts from family or friends to help with wedding costs, but this is a personal choice.
If you receive money as a gift, consider adding it straight to your wedding savings account. This keeps your fund growing and helps you stay on track.
Common wedding savings mistakes to avoid
voiding these common mistakes can help you stay in control:
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Not setting a clear budget: Without a budget, it’s easy to overspend or run out of money before the big day
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Not tracking spending: A related point. If you don’t keep an eye on costs, you might go over budget without realising
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Not shopping around: Comparing prices and reading reviews can help you get better value for your money
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Underestimating small costs: Little expenses like favours, postage or beauty treatments can add up quickly
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Leaving saving too late: The sooner you start, the easier it is to spread the cost and avoid last-minute pressure
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Ignoring cancellation policies: Make sure you understand the terms before paying deposits or booking suppliers
Take time to plan, review your budget regularly and ask for help if you need it.
Things to keep in mind when saving
Before you choose a savings account, think about:
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Interest rates and rules: Check how much interest you’ll earn and if there are conditions, like keeping your money untouched in the account for a set time
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Access to your money: Some accounts let you withdraw anytime. Others may reduce interest if you take it out early. With others you may have to wait. Make sure you know their rules
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Tax on interest: If you earn a lot of interest, you might have to pay tax on your savings. An ISA lets you save a certain amount tax-free each year
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Match your plans: Need money soon? Pick an account with easy access. Saving for later? Choose one with higher interest for long-term saving
To keep your savings saving, make sure your account’s covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if your provider’s authorised in the UK.
Get advice if you’re unsure. Ask a parent, guardian or an independent financial adviser for help.
Key takeaways
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If you're saving for a wedding, starting early can help spread the cost and make planning more manageable
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Listing wedding expenses can help avoid surprises along the way
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Choosing a savings account that matches your timeline may make saving easier
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Reviewing your budget can help identify ways to boost your fund
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Planning ahead and tracking your spending can help avoid common mistakes
Make your dream wedding a reality. We can help with that
Common questions about saving for a wedding
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The sooner you start, the more flexibility you have. Even if your wedding is years away, early saving can help give you more flexibility.
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Many people find a separate account helps track progress and avoid spending the money elsewhere.
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A cash ISA can be tax-efficient if it suits your access needs and timeline. Read more about ISAs
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If you might need access at short notice, choose an easy access account over a fixed-term option.
- Read more
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Keep your savings flexible if you think your date or plans might move. Review your budget and adjust your savings as needed.
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It’s usually best to save the money for a wedding if you can. But you may also be able to borrow some or all of the money, either from a loved one or a lender.
If you go the borrowing route, a 0% purchase credit card may be useful for smaller purchases. Or you could take out a personal loan for a wedding, which generally suit larger purchases or big life events like weddings.
Remember, borrowing money may mean paying more over time than if you’d saved up the money. And not keeping up with repayments can harm your credit score.
Savings to suit you
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Easy access savings
Keep your money somewhere safe, earn variable interest, and withdraw whenever you like. Browse our easy access accounts
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Fixed rate accounts
Saving for the longer term? Earn a fixed rate of typically higher interest by limiting access to your money for a fixed time
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ISAs
Save tax-free with a fixed or variable rate of interest, or both. Choose from an Online ISA, Easy Access and Fixed Rate Cash ISAs
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