Bridebook, the world’s leading wedding planning app, has unveiled its 2025 UK Wedding Report, providing a detailed look at the evolving landscape of wedding costs and planning trends. Based on insights from over 7,000 UK couples married or engaged in 2024, the report highlights a significant shift in both spending habits and the financial pressures couples face as they prepare for their big day.
The report reveals that the average cost of a wedding in the UK has increased once again, with couples now spending an average of £20,822. This marks a substantial 31% rise in the past five years, further cementing the trend of escalating wedding expenses. Despite this overall increase, however, the survey indicates a broader range of spending behaviours, showcasing a marked divide between extravagant celebrations and more budget-conscious choices.
According to the findings, 25% of couples now spend over £27,000 on their weddings, embracing lavish celebrations with all the bells and whistles. On the other hand, 26% of couples are taking a more frugal approach, keeping their wedding costs under £10,000. The report underscores how couples are adopting savvy strategies to cut costs, often by opting for more affordable venues and flexible wedding dates. This approach has allowed many couples to hold weddings with similar budgets to those seen in 2017.
Despite these cost-saving efforts, the financial burden remains significant. The report reveals that 62% of couples exceed their original wedding budgets, underscoring the pressures of planning a celebration that meets both their dreams and their financial realities. This trend highlights the difficulties couples face in managing costs amidst rising prices in the wedding industry.
In a concerning trend, 34% of couples now turn to borrowing money to fund their weddings. This marks a shift from previous years when 49% of couples were able to pay for their weddings entirely on their own. The reliance on borrowing and disposable monthly income appears to be consistent across different budget levels, with the main difference being how much of their existing savings are tapped into. The data suggests that for many, the desire for a dream wedding often comes at a significant financial cost.
Hamish Shephard, the founder of Bridebook, commented on the rising costs and their impact on wedding planning. “The growing costs of weddings makes it increasingly more important for couples to plan and budget their finances for their big day,” he said. “Using budget planning tools can help immensely to make sure that you can achieve your dream wedding while sticking to your achievable finance goals. It also means that providing clear, upfront pricing has never been more important for venues. Couples are making decisions based on transparency and trust, and venues that offer indicative pricing are much more likely to win bookings.”
Shephard further noted that the 2025 UK Wedding Report reveals a wedding industry at a crossroads, with couples navigating the balance between tradition and modernity. “Couples are honouring the past while embracing the flexibility and creativity afforded by today’s technology and shifting cultural values. As we look ahead, it’s clear that weddings will continue to evolve in exciting and meaningful ways.”
The Bridebook report highlights an industry in flux, as couples increasingly make informed decisions, balancing their aspirations for the perfect wedding with the practicalities of their financial situations. As wedding costs continue to rise, it’s clear that budgeting and transparency will play an even greater role in shaping the future of weddings in the UK.
