How cheap can a wedding be in the UK?

Short answer

A legal wedding in the UK can be very affordable if you keep it simple. The core cost is the notice and ceremony fee, which varies by area, so check your local register office for exact figures.

The cheapest legal wedding is a register office ceremony with just the couple, two witnesses and a few close guests. You still need to give notice at least 28 days before in England and Wales, or 29 days in Scotland, and the ceremony must take place within 12 months of giving notice. Fees for notice and the ceremony are set by each local council, so they vary. Check your local register office or GOV.UK for current costs.

After the ceremony, you can celebrate however you like. A picnic in a park, a meal at a restaurant, or a gathering at someone's home can cost very little. You do not need a wedding venue, a caterer or a photographer to be married. Many couples choose a short civil ceremony for the legal part and then hold a separate party or blessing later, which can spread the cost.

Remember that a religious ceremony on its own is only legally binding if it takes place in a building registered for marriages with an authorised person present. In Scotland, humanist celebrants can conduct legal weddings, but in England and Wales they cannot on their own. If you want a non-legal ceremony, you can still have it, but you will need the civil ceremony to make the marriage official. Always check the current rules, as they can change.