Curious about the average cost of a wedding in the UK? Look no further!
Wedding planning website, Hitched, has revealed the 2022 average wedding expenditure, so if you’re planning your big day and want to know how much to budget, read on!
The comprehensive study not only provides information on the average wedding cost in 2022 but also valuable insights into spending breakdowns, financial contributions from friends and family, and couples’ priorities when budgeting for their special day.
Breaking Down the UK’s Average Wedding Cost: The average wedding in the UK in 2022 cost £18,400, marking a 6% increase from the 2021 average of £17,300 and an astonishing 102% rise from the 2020 pandemic-affected average of £9,100.
Despite the ongoing cost of living challenges, an impressive 70% of couples who tied the knot in 2022 stated that the current economy did not impact their wedding expenses. This can be attributed to increased financial contributions from friends and family, with 63% of couples receiving monetary support, a 2% rise from the previous year.
Moreover, savvy wedding planning practices were adopted by couples to manage costs effectively. Approximately 34% trimmed their guest list, while 37% reached out to more wedding vendors for competitive price comparisons.
Top 10 Key Wedding Expenditures in 2022:
- Venue hire – £8,400
- Wedding dress – £1,350
- Photography – £1,300
- Videography – £1,150
- Wedding band/DJ – £1,050
- Flowers – £1,050
- Invitations & paper goods – £300
- Catering per head – £70
- Wedding hair & makeup – £155
- Bridesmaid hair & makeup – £85
Compared to 2021, couples increased the number of wedding vendors hired by 20%, resulting in an average of 10 different suppliers per wedding in 2022.
As pandemic restrictions eased, the average number of wedding guests rose to 81, nearly 10 additional guests compared to 2021. With an average catering spend of £70 per person, couples had to allocate £5,670 for catering 81 guests, reflecting a 21% increase from the previous year.
The cost of wedding venues surged by 10.5% compared to 2021, and photography expenses rose by 8%, likely due to accommodating larger guest lists.
Balancing Financial Priorities
Nearly half of all couples (47%) exceeded their initial wedding budget in 2022. While 59% utilised savings, a significant 11% resorted to loans to cover wedding costs.
As couples planned their dream wedding, financial priorities extended to saving for a honeymoon (58%), particularly as honeymoon spending increased by 23% with travel resuming its popularity. Almost one-third (32%) saved up for a house, while 29% focused on clearing credit card debts, and an additional 18% worked towards paying off student loans.
With these financial factors in mind, the average cost of a wedding in the UK in 2022 stood at £18,400 – a £1,100 rise from 2021 with 2023 expected to come in at around £19,184.
The survey gathered insights from 2,457 individuals who tied the knot in the UK in 2022.
