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UK Wedding Statistics 2026
The numbers behind UK weddings. Costs, trends, and data from official sources and industry reports.
265,000
Weddings per year
£20,700
Average cost
80
Average guests
32
Average age
How Many Weddings Take Place in the UK Each Year?
Approximately 265,000 marriages take place in England and Wales each year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Adding Scotland and Northern Ireland brings the UK total to around 290,000. The number has been recovering since the pandemic dip in 2020-2021.
Average Wedding Cost UK
The average UK wedding costs around £20,700, according to the Bridebook UK Wedding Report 2025. This figure varies significantly by region:
| Region | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| London | £30,000+ |
| South East | £25,000 |
| South West | £22,000 |
| East of England | £21,500 |
| North West | £19,000 |
| West Midlands | £18,500 |
| Yorkshire | £18,000 |
| North East | £16,500 |
| Scotland | £17,500 |
| Wales | £16,000 |
| Northern Ireland | £15,000 |
Where Does the Money Go?
The biggest expenses in a typical UK wedding:
| Category | Average Spend | % of Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Venue hire | £5,900 | 28% |
| Catering & drinks | £4,200 | 20% |
| Photography & videography | £1,800 | 9% |
| Wedding dress & accessories | £1,500 | 7% |
| Entertainment & music | £1,200 | 6% |
| Flowers & decoration | £1,100 | 5% |
| Stationery & invitations | £400 | 2% |
| Wedding cake | £350 | 2% |
| Transport | £350 | 2% |
| Other (rings, favours, gifts, insurance) | £3,900 | 19% |
Most Popular Wedding Months
Summer dominates the UK wedding calendar. The most popular months are:
- August — the peak month, accounting for around 13% of all weddings
- July — second most popular at approximately 12%
- June — the traditional favourite at around 11%
- September — increasingly popular for warm weather without peak pricing
- May — a growing choice for late-spring weddings
January and February are the least popular months, with only 3-4% of weddings each. However, off-peak weddings can save couples 30-40% on venue costs.
Most Popular Days
Saturday is by far the most popular wedding day, accounting for over 60% of all UK weddings. Friday weddings have grown significantly, now making up around 15%, partly due to lower venue rates. Midweek weddings remain niche at under 10%.
Venue Types
The most popular venue types for UK weddings:
| Venue Type | % of Couples |
|---|---|
| Country house / stately home | 22% |
| Hotel | 19% |
| Barn / farm | 16% |
| Castle | 8% |
| Church + separate reception | 7% |
| Outdoor / garden / marquee | 7% |
| Register office | 6% |
| Restaurant / pub | 5% |
| Beach / waterside | 3% |
| Other (tipi, warehouse, boat, museum) | 7% |
Guest Numbers
The average UK wedding has around 80 day guests and 110 evening guests. Since 2020, smaller weddings and micro weddings (under 30 guests) have become much more common, accounting for around 15% of all weddings in 2025.
Same-Sex Marriages
Same-sex marriages account for approximately 2.5% of all marriages in England and Wales. Around 6,800 same-sex marriages took place in 2023 (the latest ONS data). Female same-sex marriages slightly outnumber male same-sex marriages.
Engagement Length
The average engagement in the UK lasts around 18 months. Around 30% of couples are engaged for over two years, while 10% get married within six months of the proposal.
Wedding Suppliers Used
The average couple books 12-15 different suppliers for their wedding. The most commonly booked (beyond the venue) are:
- Photographer (93% of couples)
- Caterer / venue catering (91%)
- DJ or band (78%)
- Florist (72%)
- Cake maker (68%)
- Videographer (45%)
- Wedding planner / coordinator (25%)
Sources
- Office for National Statistics (ONS) — Marriages in England and Wales
- Bridebook UK Wedding Report 2025
- National Records of Scotland — Marriages and civil partnerships
- Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)
- Hitched Wedding Survey 2025
Statistics are compiled from the most recent available data. Some figures are estimates based on multiple industry surveys. We update this page annually.