Planning a wedding in the UK? Whether you are setting a budget, choosing a venue, or simply curious about how other couples tie the knot, these statistics paint a detailed picture of the modern British wedding landscape.
We have gathered the latest data from the ONS, Hitched, Bridebook, and other trusted UK sources to bring you the most up-to-date wedding facts and figures for 2026.
I have worked with hundreds of British couples planning their weddings, and the figures below match what I see week after week. Budgets have settled since the post-pandemic peak, guest lists are tighter, and couples are spending more thoughtfully on the parts of the day that actually matter to them. No two weddings I help with feel the same any more. The statistics give you the landscape. The character of your day comes from the two of you.
Imogen Whitaker
1. 231,949 marriages and civil partnerships took place in England and Wales in 2023
The latest ONS data shows 231,949 legal partnership formations in England and Wales in 2023, an 8.6% decrease from 2022's post-pandemic figure of 253,776. Opposite-sex marriages accounted for 93.5% of all formations (216,901), indicating a return to pre-pandemic norms after the 2021-2022 catch-up period.1
2. London weddings cost 12% more than the national average
Couples marrying in London spend an average of £24,662, which is 12% above the national average. The South East (£23,589) and East of England (£23,350) also rank among the priciest regions. Scotland comes in at £22,123 but boasts the highest per-guest spend at £293 per head.2
3. 26,955 marriages were registered in Scotland in 2024
National Records of Scotland reported 26,955 marriages in 2024, a slight increase of 202 on the 2023 figure of 26,753. Both years sit at a similar level to pre-pandemic totals, suggesting the post-Covid backlog has now fully cleared north of the border.3
4. Venue hire accounts for 38-40% of the total wedding budget
The single largest expense for UK couples is venue hire, averaging £8,400 and consuming roughly 38-40% of the total budget. Typical Saturday peak-season dry hire runs to about £8,167, while off-peak midweek dates can drop to around £4,203.4
5. 7,251 marriages were registered in Northern Ireland in 2024
According to preliminary NISRA data, Northern Ireland recorded 7,251 marriages in 2024, down from 7,494 in 2023. The downward trend mirrors the broader UK pattern of gradually declining marriage numbers as cohabitation becomes increasingly normalised.5
6. Average wedding photography costs £1,484
The average UK couple spends £1,484 on wedding photography and £1,514 on videography. However, experienced professionals in London and the South East typically charge £200 to £500 more. Live wedding bands average around £4,300, significantly more than hiring a DJ.6
7. The median age at first marriage is 34.8 for men and 33.0 for women
In 2023, the median age at marriage for opposite-sex couples reached 34.8 years for men and 33.0 years for women, the highest figures on record. For same-sex couples, the median ages were even higher at 37.4 for men and 34.0 for women, reflecting longer periods of education, career building, and cohabitation before marriage.7
8. Barns are projected to make up 28% of venue bookings by 2027
Barn venues are booming in popularity, projected to account for 28% of all wedding bookings by 2027, up from 21% in 2025. Country houses maintain a steady market share, while large hotels are losing ground to smaller, character-filled boutique venues.8
9. 9 in 10 couples lived together before getting married
The ONS reports that over 90% of couples who married in 2023 had previously cohabited, the highest proportion since records began. This compares with just 59.6% in 1994, showing a dramatic cultural shift in attitudes towards living together before marriage.9
10. The average UK wedding costs £21,990 in 2026
According to the Hitched National Wedding Survey, which polled over 2,000 newlyweds, the average cost of a UK wedding in 2026 is £21,990. That figure is actually 4% lower than the 2024 peak, suggesting couples are spending more intentionally rather than simply more.
The survey also revealed that 56% of couples overspent their original budget, while only 6% came in under budget.10
11. Civil ceremonies account for 85.7% of all marriages
In 2023, approximately 191,800 marriages in England and Wales were civil ceremonies, representing 85.7% of the total. Religious ceremonies have fallen to just 14.3%, continuing a long-term decline as couples increasingly favour personalised, secular celebrations.11
12. 83% of couples make at least one sustainable wedding choice
Sustainability has moved from niche to mainstream in UK weddings. Bridebook reports that 83% of couples now make a sustainable effort in at least one element of their celebration, with 23% incorporating second-hand or vintage details. Approximately 40% of brides consider pre-owned, rented, or convertible gowns.12
13. 7,547 same-sex marriages took place in England and Wales in 2023
There were 7,547 same-sex marriages in 2023, with female same-sex marriages (4,515) outnumbering male same-sex marriages (3,032). The 30-34 age group was the most popular for same-sex weddings, with 2,450 female and 1,379 male marriages in that bracket.13
14. 79% of couples book their venue within four weeks of enquiring
Once couples start their venue search, decisions happen fast. A remarkable 79% lock in their venue within four weeks of enquiring, and 92% book within two months. This underlines just how competitive the UK venue market has become.14
15. Saturday is the most popular wedding day, chosen for 41.9% of ceremonies
Saturdays accounted for 41.9% of all marriages in 2023, with 93,916 ceremonies. The single most popular date was Saturday 2 September, which saw 3,227 marriages. The least popular days were predictably Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with just one marriage each.15
16. 65% of couples hold their ceremony and reception at the same venue
Two-thirds of UK couples now opt for a single venue for both their ceremony and reception, prioritising convenience and a seamless guest experience. The WedPro report also found that 71% of couples prioritise on-site accommodation and 75% desire a dedicated bridal preparation suite.16
17. August is the most popular wedding month
August claimed the top spot with 14.3% of all marriages (32,121 ceremonies) in 2023. January was the least popular month at just 2.6%. However, autumn and winter weddings are gaining traction as couples seek off-peak pricing and seasonal charm.17
18. The average spend per wedding guest is £272
The average cost per guest rose 4% year on year to £272 in 2026, reflecting a broader trend of couples trimming guest lists while investing more in each attendee's experience. Weddings with 101 or more guests averaged £35,591 in total, roughly 40% more than smaller celebrations.18
19. 102,678 divorces were granted in England and Wales in 2023
The ONS recorded 102,678 divorces in 2023, returning to pre-pandemic levels. A major shift came with the no-fault divorce legislation: 74.2% of all divorces were granted under the new Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act, up dramatically from just 9.2% in 2022. The median marriage duration at divorce was 12.7 years for opposite-sex couples.19
20. UK wedding industry market size
Mintel valued the UK wedding services market at £10.4 billion in 2024, with rising venue and catering prices driving most of the growth. The market is forecast to grow by 4 per cent annually through 2028.20
21. The marriage rate for men fell to 18.1 per 1,000 unmarried population
In 2023, the opposite-sex marriage rate dropped to 18.1 per 1,000 unmarried men and 16.4 per 1,000 unmarried women, a decline of roughly 10% from 2022. This reflects a long-term trend of falling marriage rates, with many couples choosing cohabitation or civil partnerships instead.21
22. Average UK engagement ring spend
Couples in the United Kingdom spent an average of £1,978 on an engagement ring in 2024 according to F. Hinds research. Roughly 31 per cent of buyers exceeded £2,500, while 18 per cent chose lab-grown diamonds to keep costs down.22
23. Wedding content creators saw a 586% surge in demand
According to Hitched's trend data, searches for wedding content creators exploded by 586% year on year. These professionals use smartphones to capture candid, social-media-ready footage alongside traditional photographers, delivering shareable clips within 24 hours of the wedding.23
24. 61% of couples planning 2026 weddings use digital invitations only
The move away from paper is accelerating, with 61% of 2026 couples opting for exclusively digital invitations. QR codes are replacing printed programmes, and digital-only save-the-dates are now standard practice for the majority of UK weddings.24
25. Civil versus religious ceremonies
Civil ceremonies accounted for 83 per cent of opposite-sex marriages in England and Wales in 2022, while only 17 per cent took place in a religious setting. In 1981 the religious share was still 51 per cent.25
26. Gen Z now makes up 41% of couples getting married
The generational shift in weddings is well underway, with Gen Z comprising 41% of marrying couples. Over 80% of Gen Z couples demand price transparency from vendors, and they are far more likely to rely on TikTok (30%) and digital planning tools than previous generations.26
27. 72% of couples watch virtual venue tours before enquiring
The digital-first approach to wedding planning is now firmly established. The WedPro UK Wedding Industry Report found that 72% of couples watch virtual venue tours before making an enquiry, while 34% use TikTok for wedding inspiration. Email remains the preferred method for vendor communication.27
28. Women born in 1983 are the latest cohort where over 50% married by age 35
ONS cohort analysis reveals that women born in 1983 are the most recent generation where more than half had married by age 35. For men born in the same year, the milestone was not reached until age 40. For those born in 1973, 50% of men had married by 35 and 50% of women by 31, highlighting how each generation delays marriage further.28
29. Average age at first marriage in the UK
The mean age at first marriage in England and Wales reached 33.4 years for men and 31.5 years for women in 2022, both record highs. Brides are now on average eight years older at their first wedding than they were in 1972.29
30. Average cost of a UK wedding in 2024
Hitched reported an average UK wedding cost of £20,775 in 2024, up 7 per cent year on year. The biggest line items were venue hire at £8,400 and catering at £4,100 for an average of 79 guests.30
31. 25% of UK couples get married abroad
One in four British couples now choose to marry overseas, with France emerging as the most popular destination. The average overseas wedding costs £17,572, saving couples roughly £3,000 compared with a UK celebration. Among 18-to-34-year-olds, 44% say they prefer destination weddings because they double as a holiday.31
32. How many UK weddings took place in 2022
Around 246,897 opposite-sex marriages were registered in England and Wales in 2022, the highest figure since 2014. Same-sex marriages accounted for an additional 7,791 ceremonies according to the Office for National Statistics.32
33. Honeymoon spending in the UK
British newlyweds spent on average £4,750 on their honeymoon in 2024 according to ABTA travel data. The most popular destinations were the Maldives, Bali and Greece, with long-haul trips up 12 per cent on 2022 levels.33
34. 61% of couples receive financial help from family
The Hitched survey found that 61% of British couples received gifted money from family towards their wedding. Among Gen Z couples, this figure rises to 68%. Millennials, by contrast, spent an average of £23,612, around 7% above the national average, with 25% spending over £30,000.34
35. The UK wedding venue market is worth £3.9 billion
The UK wedding venues sector reached an estimated £3.9 billion in 2025, with country house weddings leading the market. Despite economic pressures and gradually declining marriage rates, the sector continues to grow as couples invest more in premium venue experiences.35
Sources
- ONS(gov.uk)
- For Better For Worse(forbetterforworse.co.uk)
- NRS(gov.uk)
- For Better For Worse(forbetterforworse.co.uk)
- NISRA(gov.uk)
- Bridebook(bridebook.com)
- ONS(gov.uk)
- For Better For Worse(forbetterforworse.co.uk)
- ONS(gov.uk)
- Hitched(theknotww.com)
- ONS(gov.uk)
- Bridebook(bridebook.com)
- ONS(gov.uk)
- For Better For Worse(forbetterforworse.co.uk)
- ONS(gov.uk)
- WedPro(getwedpro.com)
- ONS(gov.uk)
- Hitched(theknotww.com)
- ONS(gov.uk)
- ABTA Travel Trends(abta.com)
- ONS(gov.uk)
- BBC News(bbc.co.uk)
- Bridal Buyer(bridalbuyer.com)
- Bridebook(bridebook.com)
- F. Hinds Jewellers(fhinds.co.uk)
- For Better For Worse(forbetterforworse.co.uk)
- WedPro(getwedpro.com)
- ONS(gov.uk)
- Hitched UK Wedding Report(hitched.co.uk)
- Mintel UK Weddings(mintel.com)
- Moneynet(moneynet.co.uk)
- Office for National Statistics(ons.gov.uk)
- The Guardian(theguardian.com)
- Hitched(theknotww.com)
- Yahoo Finance(yahoo.com)