Wedding Budget Calculator
Plan your wedding budget with a typical UK breakdown. See cost per guest and category allocations.
Last updated: April 2026 · Source: Hitched - Average UK Wedding Cost Survey
Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
How It Works
UK wedding costs vary significantly by region, season, and guest count. The calculator breaks your total budget into category allocations based on industry-standard percentage splits derived from annual Hitched survey data. Venue and catering typically consume 55-60% combined, with photography at 8-12%, entertainment at 5-8%, and attire and accessories at 6-10% of the total spend.
Guest count is the single largest cost driver. The calculator estimates a per-head cost by dividing your catering budget by guest numbers, typically ranging from £60-£150 per guest for food and drink at UK venues. Evening-only guests are costed at roughly 40% of a full day guest. Reducing your guest list by 20 people can save £2,000-£4,000 depending on your chosen venue tier.
Regional price differences are substantial across the UK. London and the South East command a 25-40% premium over the national average, while Scotland, Wales, and Northern England can be 15-25% below it. Saturday summer weddings in peak season (June-September) attract the highest venue hire fees, whereas midweek or winter dates can reduce venue costs by 20-50%.
Allocating a £22,000 wedding budget for 80 guests
- Venue hire: 35% of £22,000 = £7,700
- Catering and drinks (80 day guests at £68/head): £5,440 (25%)
- Photography and videography: £2,200 (10%)
- Wedding attire, suits, and accessories: £1,760 (8%)
- Remaining £4,900 covers flowers (£1,100), entertainment (£1,300), stationery (£500), transport (£600), and contingency (£1,400)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the Wedding Budget Calculator do?
- Plan your wedding budget with a typical UK breakdown. See cost per guest and category allocations. All calculations are performed in your browser using official UK rates and thresholds.
- Is this calculator free to use?
- Yes. All calculators on Calks.uk are completely free to use. No account or registration is required. All calculations run in your browser — no data is collected.
- Can I use this on my phone?
- Yes. All our calculators are fully responsive and work on smartphones, tablets and desktop computers. The interface adapts to your screen size automatically.