How will my partner and I cover our wedding costs?
If you’ve agreed to get married, give yourself plenty of time to save up for the various costs involved. A 2017 survey found that the average cost of a UK wedding is now over £25,000.
Sit down with your fiancé (or proposed civil partner) and work out what you can afford to spend on your ceremony. As the months pass, you’ll find out more about how much items such as the wedding dinner, attire and entertainment will cost. Make sure you regularly review these costs to ensure you can realistically afford them.
If you’re currently on a debt solution, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to take out credit in order to pay for your wedding/civil partnership. However, depending on your situation, you may be able to save money through the Help to Save scheme.
If you don’t qualify for the Help to Save scheme, there may be other realistic ways to save money while paying off your debts.
Can we get married without spending lots of money?
Wedding costs tend to become excessive when items like the venue and wedding attire are factored in. The actual ceremony itself – whether in a religious building or at a registry office - is usually cheaper in comparison.
Many couples decide to elope so they don’t have to worry about an expensive wedding reception. The government website has more information on getting married or entering a civil partnership abroad. If you do decide to elope, make sure you and your partner discuss how you will handle any potential disagreements with family and friends.