The Cost of a 2024 Wedding
It seems like you need to win the lotto or on one of the sites featured on casinos.com to afford a wedding these days, whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand celebration. Regardless, if one of you has said “yes” to the big question, it’s time to start planning your dream celebration and get ready for the “I dos.” We all wish we had an infinite budget, but the reality is that everything from the flowers to the catering and the photographer costs money – and it all adds up.
Did COVID-19 change the wedding industry?
Let’s address the elephant in the room before we get into the details. Those three years of the pandemic truly affected the wedding industry like no other. Engaged couples booked venues plenty of time in advance but had to postpone or cancel their plans, travel logistics became impossible to work around, and the broader economic impact was just too difficult to handle. The industry is still recovering from those disruptions, but there’s new optimism on the horizon.
So, what’s the average cost?
While we don’t have numbers for 2024 just yet, the average cost of a wedding in 2023 was £20,700. Many of us know that weddings are expensive, but just how much could come as a big surprise. You might have thought about the major staples, such as the tiered cake, the florals, the attire, and the food and drink, but what about the photographer, the videographer, the wedding planner, the extensive decor, the rehearsal dinner (yes, this costs money), the hair and makeup, the wedding band or DJ, the favours for guests, the transport?
Breaking down the expenses
As we’ve hinted, there is a laundry list of expenses at play here. We’d be here all day if we addressed them all, so let’s highlight the most characteristically expensive aspects of a wedding.
The Venue
It’s possible that you’ve mustered up all your creativity and research skills and found a niche venue that won’t put a strain on your bank account, but for those who must wait years for a popular wedding venue, the demand comes at a price. Especially for high-end venues like wineries, castles, and historic mansions, their luxury amenities like extravagant bridal suites and premium decorations will bump up the price. For example, the Queen’s House in London’s Greenwich Park starts at £12,500 alone.
The Attire
Couples typically spend around £1,300 on a wedding dress – not including shoes, accessories, and any other extras, not to mention the groom’s attire and the bridesmaids’ and groomsmen’s outfits. While you might try to skimp on cost, it often comes down to the attire the couple can see themselves and their wedding party in on the big day – and usually doesn’t end up being the budget option.
The Catering
Catering doesn’t just include the delicious food – it also includes the labour and rentals of tables, chairs, glassware, and more. Cost depends on the style of service, the complexity of the menu, the number of guests, and the venue. Most wedding venues have in-house catering, but it’s possible to choose an external caterer.
The Cake
Wedding cakes, with their multiple tiers and elaborate designs, are extremely labour-intensive to make. Especially if you’re looking for high-quality ingredients and custom touches, these pastry chefs and bakeries can charge anywhere between £250 – £1000.
The Photographer/Videographer
As photographers and videographers need to spend the entire day capturing every seemingly mundane and beautiful, magical moment, they’re typically priced at a flat rate with extras at an additional cost. This number can vary considerably depending on the photographer’s experience, your location, the time of year you’re getting married, and whether you want both physical images or just digital ones. Expect to pay anywhere between £500 to upwards of £2000.
How to Cut Down on Costs
If you’re not ready to uninvite anyone on your guest list, there are still ways to stick to your budget or cut down on costs without compromising your overall experience.
Have your wedding during the off-peak season – Let’s face it, winter weddings aren’t the most popular. However, there can be something especially stunning about a winter backdrop and falling snow, as well as lower associated costs overall.
Find a simpler venue – Venues that are specifically made to host weddings are going to be expensive. Perhaps you could instead tailor your wedding around a park, farm, seaside town, beach, or other beautiful setting.
Send out digital invites – Sites like Paperless Post let you send beautiful wedding invites digitally through email, so you don’t have to spend money on postage and materials.
Craft your own decorations – Pinterest is chock full of incredible wedding DIY ideas, like rustic chic elements, boho hangings, floral creations, and even interesting wedding favour ideas your guests will love.
Go for a buffet instead of a plated dinner – Plated dinners might seem more traditionally elegant, but buffets can be presented stylishly too. You can get creative and feature modern cheese and charcuterie stations and seafood on ice to elevate the catering.
Consider renting the attire – For many, wedding attire is only worn once, and if you find it unreasonable to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a dress, a rental might be the way to go. From budget to high-end luxury rental stores, you can rent wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses for less than £100 for the day.
Find a home baker to bake a simpler cake – Supporting a smaller bakery or an independent baker can be a great way to cut costs – and still get the eye-catching and delicious cake you crave.
Opt for a micro wedding – If all else fails, it could be time to consider a smaller wedding. The cost of an extravagant wedding with a larger guest list can only be reduced to a certain degree, but micro weddings can still ooze luxury. With less stress, less chaos, and a much more intimate atmosphere, this could be the option for you. And it doesn’t mean you have to exclude a few select people – it just means curating a small group of your closest friends and family to celebrate your big day.