The Cost of Being a Wedding Guest in the UK

Weddings are brilliant – it’s a chance to dress up, catch up, and have a dance after a few glasses of fizz! But let’s be honest, being a guest isn’t cheap.

According to recent stats, the average Brit spends around £451 per wedding, with some forking out closer to £700 when you add in things like hotels, travel, new outfits, gifts and time off work. That’s nearly a fifth of the average monthly wage – just to watch someone else tie the knot!

So, where exactly is all that money going? And more importantly, how can you cut the cost without missing out on the fun? Let’s break down the typical expenses and share some of our top ways you can save.

Accommodation

If the wedding isn’t local, the chances are you’ll need somewhere to stay – and that’s where the spending starts! A hotel for the night can set you back around £100-£111 on average, depending on where the wedding is and how fancy the venue is. Country manors and city centre hotels can cost even more, especially during peak season.

It’s one of the biggest costs for guests, especially if you’re attending more than one wedding in a year. But there are ways to keep it cheap:

1. Book Early & Share the Cost

The earlier you start looking, the better your chances of bagging a decent price! Wedding venues often have limited nearby options, and once invites go out, those rooms get snapped up quickly. As soon as you’ve RSVP’d ‘yes’, get your accommodation sorted – especially if the wedding’s on a weekend or during the summer.

2. Look out for Group Deals

Check if the couple have secured a block booking or discount code for guests – many venues partner with nearby hotels for this very reason. If not, share with friends or family and split the cost. It might mean bunk beds or sharing a bathroom, but it’s a lot cheaper than paying for a double all to yourself.

3. Compare & Save Online

Before you book, do a quick scan across hotel comparison sites. Booking.com, Hotels.com and Expedia are great places to start, and you might even spot last-minute deals or flexible cancellation options while you’re at it.

Travel

Up there with accommodation, getting to the wedding can be one of the biggest expenses. Whether you’re driving across the country, jumping on a train or jetting off somewhere sunnier, the costs quickly add up.

In fact, recent figures show UK wedding guests spend around £150 – £200 just getting to and from the big day – and that’s before you’ve even arrived at the venue!

And with fuel and rail fares on the rise, even a local wedding can end up costing more than expected. Plus, when you factor in things like taxis to the reception, late-night Ubers or coach travel, it’s easy to see how the costs can creep up.

If you’ve got a destination wedding, an abroad wedding can cost upwards of £900 once you include flights, accommodation and transfers. And if it isn’t doubling up as your summer holiday, that’s a huge extra expense you might not be prepared for.

1. Book in Advance

Train and flight prices can rise quickly, especially around weekends and holidays. If you already know the dates, try and book as early as you can – it could save you a decent amount. And if you plan to try, make sure you plan your route in advance and seek out the cheapest places to fill up on the way.

2. Share the Journey

If you’ve got friends heading to the same wedding, see if you can travel together to lower the costs. This is a great way to save on both parking & fuel, and can also be a fun way to kick off the celebrations. Just make sure you have a designated driver who doesn’t mind not drinking!

3. Make the most of a Destination Wedding

If you’re planning to attend a wedding abroad this year, try not to get bogged down by the costs. Why not double up your trip with your summer holiday? Perhaps the couple have chosen a location you haven’t visited before. This could be a great opportunity to see somewhere new or just enjoy a sunny destination for longer!

A lot of guests now do this to make the cost of flights and accommodation feel more worthwhile. Just don’t forget travel insurance – it’s one of those things you hope you won’t need, but you’ll be glad of if plans change unexpectedly.

Clothing & Accessories

Finding the perfect outfit can be another pricey expense for wedding guests. Between a dress or suit with matching shoes and accessories, the average wedding guest outfit can cost Brits around £92, but plenty of people spend much more, with costs reaching up to £160.

Clothing costs also come hand in hand with costly beauty treatments like getting your hair, makeup and nails done for the big day, making looking your best an expensive process. However, there are ways to keep costs low.

1. Rewear something

There’s often pressure to wear something new to a big occasion like a wedding, especially when you know photos are going to be posted across social media. But realistically, most people won’t notice or care if you re-wear a suit or dress from your wardrobe. You can always add different accessories or a jacket to spruce it up a bit.

2. Shop in the sales

If you do need something new, consider hitting the sales, outlet stores, or even charity shops. Online marketplaces like Vinted and Depop are also great for finding second-hand bargains. If you find a brand new designer dress online that you like, we recommend checking one of these apps to see if anyone is selling it in your size for a fraction of the cost.

3. Rent an outfit

Renting is also a cost-effective alternative to buying a brand new outfit for one day, and loads of high-street stores and designers now offer affordable rental services. Check out John Lewis, Selfridges, and ASOS for wedding guest rentals and save yourself some money and space in your wardrobe!

4. Borrow & swap with friends

Keeping outfit costs low can be as simple as borrowing a clutch or tie from a friend, or swapping outfits with someone attending a different wedding. No one will be the wiser, and you’ll save yourself some money!

Wedding Gifts

It goes without saying that you don’t turn up to a wedding empty-handed, but how much should you spend on a wedding gift? The costs of a gift can vary, and for some guests, it can be one of the biggest expenses.

According to a 2023 survey, gifts were the top cost, with some guests spending as much as £218 per wedding. Other reports put the average closer to £100 – £110, which still isn’t cheap, especially if you’re attending multiple weddings in a year!

Online gift lists or requests for honeymoon contributions (while more rare these days) can set an unspoken price point for gifts. The lower-cost items tend to go first, meaning if you’re late to the party, you might get stuck with something pricier.

1. Set a Realistic Budget

It’s easy to feel pressure to overspend, especially if others are splashing out! But decide in advance what you can realistically afford and stick to it. Whether that’s £30 or £100, it’s the thought that counts after all.

2. Chip in with Friends

If you’re struggling to afford something on the list, see if a few friends want to chip in together. For example, if five friends each throw in £20, you’ve got £100 to get a really nice present from all of you. And remember, couples genuinely care more that you’re there to celebrate than how much you spend on them.

3. Don’t stick to the List

A thoughtful gift that’s not on the registry is still perfectly acceptable, especially if it’s personal or useful. A gift card lets the couple choose something they really want later on! Most couples will appreciate the gesture more than how much it costs.

Time Off Work

One costly part of attending a wedding that is often overlooked is time off work. Weddings don’t always conveniently fall on weekends, and mid-week ceremonies are becoming more and more common for couples looking to save money. 

Got a wedding on a Thursday? You’ll probably need Friday off to recuperate, not to mention possibly taking Wednesday to travel and get ready on top of the day of the actual wedding.

If it’s a destination wedding you’re heading to, you’ll need at least a couple of days off, costing you precious annual leave or, for some, income itself if you have to take unpaid leave or miss a day of work. In fact, 10% of invitees decline a destination wedding because they simply can’t get the time off work.

If this is an issue you’re currently facing with your budget, don’t worry, there are ways you can mitigate it.

1. Plan ahead with work

The best thing to do is to plan ahead with work. As soon as you get that ‘Save the Date’, figure out if you’ll need time off. Book those days off early – the earlier you ask, the more likely your boss will say yes, and the less of a scramble there’ll be to cover your duties.

2. Be strategic with your annual leave

If there is no official wedding leave policy at your job, use your normal holiday allowance strategically. This may include booking your next holiday over the weekend or a bank holiday to get the most days off without requiring as much leave. And if you’re juggling multiple weddings in one season, you may need to prioritise or even politely decline one, especially if you’re low on leave days.

3. Make use of flexible working 

If you’re travelling far for a wedding, see if you can work remotely for a day at your destination. If it’s possible, you could always swap a working day with a weekend day to avoid taking time off, or if your work offers flexi time, you could accrue a day off by working extra hours. Being smart with your schedule and taking advantage of your company’s flexible working policies can save you stress and any potential lost pay caused by taking too many days off.

How much does being a Wedding Guest cost?

So, how much does it cost to attend a wedding these days?

It can depend on the location, your choices and whether you plan to go all out or keep it simple. Based on recent UK surveys, the average UK guest forks out between £400 and £600 per wedding – and that’s just for a typical one-day event. If you’re going to a destination wedding or a multi-day celebration, the total can easily tip over £1,000.

The biggest costs tend to be travel and accommodation, especially if the wedding isn’t local. A couple of nights in a hotel and return train tickets or petrol soon add up. Then there’s the outfit – whether it’s a new dress, shoes or suit – which usually comes in at around £90 to £160.

Wedding gifts are another major expense, with many guests spending over £100 on presents or honeymoon contributions. And that’s before you factor in extras like drinks, childcare, beauty appointments or last-minute taxis.

If you’re attending a few weddings in one year, it’s easy to see how these costs can snowball. Three weddings could realistically set you back £1,500 or more, which is why it’s worth being mindful of what you can afford and planning in advance.

Budget-Friendly Wedding Gift Ideas

Not every couple has a gift list, and for many, the small and more personal gifts mean the most! If you’re attending a wedding (or a few) this summer, here are some thoughtful and affordable wedding gift ideas that’ll be genuinely appreciated.

1. Experience Days

Experience gifts are a great way to treat the happy couple to something they can enjoy together after the big day! From afternoon tea to city cruises, there’s something for every type of couple – and you don’t need to spend a fortune.

Sites like Buyagift and Red Letter Days, or Virgin Experience Days, offer loads of options, with many less than £60. Think things like a Michelin meal for two or even a relaxing spa day are great choices and perfect for unwinding after the chaos of wedding planning. Plus, you’ll often find exclusive discount codes for these retailers on NetVoucherCodes.

2. Subscription Boxes

A subscription box is the kind of gift that lasts beyond the wedding day – whether it’s monthly coffee deliveries, a letterbox wine tasting or even baking kits. This is a lovely way to help the happy couple settle into married life with something fun to look forward to each month!

Take a look at Not On The High Street or Etsy for quirky and personal options. Many start from just £20 – £30, and you can often choose a 3-month or one-off plan to suit your budget.

3. A Donation

Making a charity donation in their name is a lovely alternative to a physical gift, especially if the couple is particularly passionate about a cause. Many charities now offer downloadable certificates, you can pop in a card too!

4. Personalised Gifts

A personalised gift often means far more than something expensive! Whether it’s a custom print of their wedding date, a hand-painted portrait of their pet, or matching ‘Mr & Mrs’ mugs, it’s often the little details that make them memorable, and the couple will love you for it!

5. A Handwritten Letter

If you’re working with a budget or looking for something truly personal, a letter can go a long way. Write down a memory, your best advice or simply a note about how much they mean to you. Frame it, pop it in a keepsake box, or pair it with a printed photo from the day. It’s an affordable gift idea that feels anything but cheap!