UK weddings can be expensive, and not everyone has enough saved to cover the full cost upfront. Many couples choose to borrow part of the money. If you are wondering how much is typical, this article sets out what the figures tend to look like and what they usually cover.
This article is for information only. It is not financial advice and does not tell you how much to borrow or whether borrowing is right for you.
What is the short answer?
Most couples who take out a wedding loan in the UK borrow somewhere between £5,000 and £10,000, though the range is wide. Some borrow as little as £1,000 to cover a specific gap, such as a venue deposit. Others borrow £15,000 or more for a larger celebration. The right amount depends entirely on your own budget, what you have already saved, and what you can comfortably repay each month.
What does the average UK wedding actually cost?
Before looking at borrowing figures, it helps to understand what couples are spending overall.
According to the Hitched Real Weddings Report 2024, the average UK wedding cost £20,775 in 2023, with figures ranging more broadly between £17,000 and £30,000 depending on region, guest numbers, and supplier choices. London and the South East tend to sit at the higher end of that range.
The biggest single cost is usually the venue, which often accounts for a third or more of the total budget. Catering, photography, flowers, outfits, and entertainment follow. The honeymoon, if counted separately, adds further to the total.
Not all couples spend this much. Many hold smaller ceremonies, choose off-peak dates, or prioritise certain elements over others. A realistic personal budget can look very different from the headline average.
What do couples typically borrow for?
A wedding loan is normally an unsecured personal loan, borrowed in a lump sum and repaid in fixed monthly instalments over one to five years.
Couples tend to borrow to cover one or more of these areas:
- Venue deposit or balance. This is often the largest single payment and the one that catches couples out when it falls due before other savings have built up.
- Catering. For sit-down meals with many guests, this can run to several thousand pounds.
- Photography and videography. Costs vary widely, but professional photography typically costs between £1,000 and £3,000.
- Outfits. Wedding dresses, suits, bridesmaid dresses, and accessories can add up quickly.
- Honeymoon. Some couples include honeymoon costs in the same loan, especially if they want to book early to secure a price.
- Contingency. Weddings often cost more than planned. A small buffer in the loan amount can prevent a last-minute scramble.
The loan rarely covers every single cost. It typically fills the gap between the savings a couple has and the total amount they need.
How much do people actually borrow?
Precise industry-wide data on wedding loan amounts is limited. The borrowing bands below are illustrative, based on the range of personal loan products commonly available and the typical cost breakdown reported in wedding industry surveys.
Smaller amounts (£1,000 to £3,000) are common when a couple is mostly self-funding and needs only a partial top-up. This might cover photography, flowers, or outfits.
Mid-range amounts (£5,000 to £10,000) represent a common borrowing band for couples who need to fund a meaningful portion of the wedding. This range covers several key elements together, such as the venue balance and catering.
Larger amounts (£10,000 to £20,000) appear when the wedding is bigger, the couple has saved less, or the event is more elaborate. Borrowing at this level means higher monthly repayments and more interest paid overall.
A simple example helps to illustrate the cost difference. A £7,500 loan over three years at a representative APR of 9.9% (51% APR representative, meaning at least 51% of accepted applicants receive this rate; the rate you are offered may differ) would cost roughly £240 per month and around £1,100 in total interest. The same amount over five years would lower the monthly payment to around £160 but increase total interest to around £2,100. The longer term costs more overall, even though each month feels more affordable.
For a personalised calculation, the loan repayment calculator can help you work out what different amounts and terms would mean for your monthly outgoings.
What affects how much a couple borrows?
Several things shape the final figure:
How much they have already saved. The loan normally fills a gap. A couple who has saved £10,000 towards a £20,000 wedding needs to borrow less than one who has saved £3,000 towards the same budget.
Guest numbers. Catering and venue costs rise steeply with the number of guests. A 30-person intimate reception costs far less than a 150-person sit-down meal.
Region. Venue costs in London can be two or three times higher than comparable venues in other parts of the UK.
Timing. Couples who start saving early often borrow less. Those booking with shorter lead times may need to borrow more because they have had less time to save.
What they choose to include. Some couples take out one loan to cover everything, including the honeymoon. Others keep honeymoon costs separate.
What is worth checking before you borrow?
If you are thinking about a wedding loan, a few checks are worth doing first.
Work out the full budget first. It is easy to underestimate costs. Getting quotes from all your key suppliers before settling on a loan amount means you are less likely to find yourself needing to borrow again later.
Check the total amount repayable, not just the APR. APR tells you the annual rate, but the total amount repayable tells you the full amount you will pay back, including all interest. That figure is the most honest measure of what the loan will cost you.
Compare the monthly repayment to your budget. A loan that looks affordable at the time of the wedding needs to remain affordable for every month of the repayment term, including after any major life changes such as a new home or a change in income.
Check your eligibility before applying. Many lenders offer a soft search eligibility check that does not leave a mark on your credit file. Using this before making a full application can help you avoid unnecessary hard searches.
Consider the alternatives. A 0% purchase credit card can be useful for smaller amounts if you are confident you can repay within the interest-free period. Savings, gifts from family, or adjusting the wedding budget are also worth considering before committing to a loan.
Frequently asked questions
How much do UK couples typically borrow for a wedding?
There is no single figure, but many couples who borrow for a wedding take out between £5,000 and £10,000. Some borrow less to cover a specific gap, such as the deposit, while others borrow more for larger celebrations. The amount that makes sense depends on your overall budget and what you can afford to repay each month.
Is a personal loan the usual way to borrow for a wedding?
An unsecured personal loan is one common option. Some couples use a credit card for smaller amounts or a 0% purchase card if they can repay within the interest-free period. Each option has different costs and repayment structures, so it can help to compare them before deciding.
Does borrowing for a wedding affect your credit score?
Applying for any form of credit leaves a mark on your credit file. A hard search is recorded when a lender runs a full credit check. Keeping up with repayments helps your record; missed payments can harm it. Checking your eligibility with a soft search first avoids leaving unnecessary marks.
How do I know how much to borrow?
A useful starting point is to build a full wedding budget, then subtract what you have already saved. The gap is the maximum you might need to borrow. From there, checking what monthly repayment you can genuinely afford using a loan repayment calculator can help you decide on the right loan amount.
Related reading
For a full overview of how wedding loans work, how to compare them, and what to watch out for, see the main guide: Wedding loans.
For help with the numbers, the loan repayment calculator and budget planner are both free to use.
Sources
- Hitched, Real Weddings Report 2024, hitched.co.uk. Annual survey of UK couples reporting wedding spend by category and region.
- MoneyHelper, Borrowing money, moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/borrowing-money. Published by the Money and Pensions Service.
- Financial Conduct Authority, Consumer credit: our work, fca.org.uk/consumers/consumer-credit. Regulatory guidance on personal loan products and consumer protections.
- How much do UK couples typically borrow for a wedding?
There is no single figure, but surveys suggest many couples who borrow for a wedding take out between £5,000 and £10,000. Some borrow less to cover a specific gap, such as the deposit, while others borrow more for larger celebrations. The amount that makes sense depends on your overall budget and what you can afford to repay each month.
- What is a wedding loan actually used for?
Couples most often use borrowed money for the venue, catering, photography, and outfits. Honeymoon costs are also commonly included. In practice, the loan fills the gap between what a couple has saved and what the wedding is expected to cost.
- Is a personal loan the usual way to borrow for a wedding?
An unsecured personal loan is one common option. Some couples use a credit card for smaller amounts or a 0% purchase card if they can repay within the interest-free period. Each option has different costs and repayment structures, so it is worth comparing them before deciding.
- Does borrowing for a wedding affect your credit score?
Applying for any form of credit leaves a mark on your credit file. A hard search is recorded when a lender runs a full credit check. Keeping up with repayments helps your record; missed payments can harm it. Checking your eligibility with a soft search first avoids leaving unnecessary marks.
- How do I know how much to borrow?
A useful starting point is to build a full wedding budget, then subtract what you have already saved. The gap is the maximum you might need to borrow. From there, checking what monthly repayment you can genuinely afford — using a loan repayment calculator — can help you decide on the right loan amount.