Planning for your wedding is exciting but finding the sweet spot between your no-expense-spared dream and an affordable alternative could save you money and sleepless nights. Whether you want to tie the knot in a big traditional wedding, a chapel in Vegas or an intimate ceremony, we’re here to help you plan, budget, and save for your big day.
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How much does the average wedding cost?
Once you add up the food, wedding outfits, rings and venue, the final bill can be eye-watering. In fact, the average cost of a wedding in the UK is £17,300, according to wedding planners Hitched. According to their 2022 National Wedding Survey, 48% of newlyweds said they ended up spending more than they meant to.
Your day, your way
So how do you achieve your dream wedding? It’s all about planning, sticking to a wedding budget and shopping around for the best deals.
Wedding budget breakdown
You’re probably wondering where it all adds up. Every wedding is different, but here are some average figures:
- Venue hire: £7,600
- Wedding dress: £1,300
- Photography: £1,200
- Groom’s attire: £500
- Catering (per head): £65
- Bridal hair and make-up: £150
Source: The Average Cost of a Wedding 2023: How Much Does a Wedding Cost? - hitched.co.uk.
Wedding budgeting tips!
There’s lots to think about when you’re budgeting for a wedding, such as well-hidden costs you might forget to budget for. Trust us, you’d rather know about these now than when you’ve already blitzed your budget.
Wedding Budgeting
Creating a wedding fund Create a wedding fund
It can be a good idea to set up a separate savings account for our wedding funds. Work out how much you’ll need to save each month to meet your budget and go from there.
If you've got the NatWest app, you can use our Savings Goal tool to help you work that out or use our budget tracker.
Our savings goal tool is available to existing customers with an instant access savings account. Mobile App criteria applies.
Not sure where to start? Book in a free NatWest check-in with one of our Senior Personal Bankers. They could help you identify where you could be making savings so you can start putting money into your wedding fund.
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Saving up Saving up
The average time spent planning a wedding, according to Hitched, is 20 months. That’s a good chunk of time to get saving for your wedding. Put away what you can both afford each month into a joint savings account - your Wedding Fund - and set yourself a savings goal.
A joint savings account can be a great way to ensure you’re saving together towards your ultimate goal.
To apply for a joint savings account, you must be 16+ hold a NatWest current account and be a UK resident. Specific account eligibility criteria may apply.
Find out more about our current accounts if you don't have one already.
To apply for any joint accounts, you must be 18+ and a UK resident. Specific account criteria and eligibility apply.
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Personal loan
What if you’ve got some savings and your family want to help, but your wedding budget still doesn’t quite add up? You could think about taking out a personal loan. Remember, as well as having to pay back the cost of your wedding, you’ll also have interest on top.
Representative 6.6% APR.
This rate is available on loans between £7,500 and £14,950. Other loan amounts are available at alternative rates. Our rates depend on your circumstances and loan amount and may differ from the Representative APR.
To apply, you must be 18+ and a UK resident with a NatWest Bank current account (held for 3+ months).
0% credit card
You probably won’t be putting the full cost of your wedding on a credit card. But they can help you cover specific, one-off costs more flexibly. For example, if there was one big expense that needed paying ASAP, you could cover that with a credit card. Choose a card with 0% interest on purchases to reduce the cost of your borrowing. If you pay it back before the 0% period ends, you’ll be able to borrow without paying interest.
To apply, you must be a UK resident, aged 18+ and earning at least £10K per year. Balance transfers are limited to 95% of your available credit limit. Minimum balance transfer amount is £100. You can transfer your balance from most credit cards and store cards, except other NatWest Group cards.
Next steps after the big day
Doing admin in the bliss bubble of early married life might feel like a real chore. But planning for the important financial decisions you’ll need to make, as well as the little jobs you need to take care of will help you avoid a headache later.
- Make sure everyone has been paid, from the florists and make-up artists to the caterers and chauffeurs.
- Update your married name – if you’re choosing to change your name that is.
- Write and send ‘thank you’ cards to your wedding guests.
- Think about whether you want to keep separate accounts or put everything into a joint bank account. It's an important decision to make. View our current accounts.
- To apply for any joint accounts, you must be 18+ and a UK resident. Specific account criteria and eligibility apply.
- Discuss your finances. Have open and honest conversations around any debts so you’re starting off on the right foot.
- If you're ready to buy a home together. Start to think about mortgage options, and any other financial goals you want to set for yourselves over the coming years. Why not start with a free NatWest check in?
- NatWest mortgages are available to over 18s.