How much is a UK Wedding Really worth?
A typical mid-market UK wedding is often reported to cost as much as £60,000, but wedding planning group Just About Weddings says couples could achieve a comparable experience for around half that amount by avoiding inflated prices and hidden fees.
According to the company, recent weddings organised by its planning team show that couples with budgets of £35,000 to £40,000 can achieve the same level of service and experience as weddings costing closer to £60,000, depending on their choice of suppliers.
“One of the biggest misconceptions in the wedding industry is that spending more automatically means getting a better supplier,” says Just About Weddings founder Nick Harris. “In reality, a couple with quotes adding to around £60,000 for their wedding could have exactly the same experience for £40,000, or even £35,000 in some cases, simply by choosing suppliers who offer value rather than ego-inflated pricing.”
Founded by Nick and Alex Harris, Just About Weddings began as a wedding planning business before expanding into a wider group offering wedding planning alongside individual services including catering, floristry, photography, hair and makeup and other wedding suppliers.
The company says its pricing model focuses on transparency and avoiding unnecessary mark-ups. Its own figures show significant differences between average industry costs and its prices:
| Service | Average industry cost | Just About Weddings |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding planning | £8,000 | £3,000 |
| Photography/Videography | £5,000 | £2,500 |
| Catering | £160 per head | £95 per head |
| Flowers | £4,000 | £3,250 |
| Hair & Makeup | £1,600 | £1,000 |
| Entertainment | £2,200 | £1,500 |
Just About Weddings also highlights hidden costs as a major factor that can push wedding budgets higher than initially expected. Catering packages, for example, may exclude staffing, crockery, VAT, travel, setup and clear-up fees. A food package advertised at £60 per head can therefore become considerably more expensive once additional charges are added.
The company says its catering prices include itemised costs upfront, allowing couples to see what they are paying for and budget without unexpected extras.
For Nick and Alex Harris, the aim is to help couples prioritise their spending without sacrificing the quality of their wedding. Rather than assuming that the most expensive supplier will deliver the best experience, they encourage couples to compare what is actually included in each quote.
“The best weddings are the ones where you’re surrounded by people who genuinely love and support you – not based on what you spend,” says Nick Harris. “That’s what guests remember long after the day is over – the sense of love and joy.”
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