What is a realistic budget for a 100 person wedding in the UK?

The cost of a 100 person wedding in the UK depends heavily on where you live, the day of the week, the season and how formal you want it. A city wedding with a sit-down dinner will cost far more than a village hall wedding with a buffet. There is no official average, and any figure you see online is just a guide, not a rule.

The best way to set a realistic budget is to start with your priorities. Decide what matters most, whether that is the venue, the food, the photography or the music. Then contact at least three venues and three suppliers in each category and ask for written quotes. Use those quotes to build your budget, not a random number.

Remember to include smaller costs like invitations, thank-you cards, wedding rings, marriage notice fees, registrar fees, transport, hair and makeup, and tips for staff. It is easy to forget these, and they add up quickly.

Also leave a contingency of around ten percent of your total budget for unexpected costs. If you are paying for everything yourselves, start saving early and review your budget monthly. If parents are contributing, agree upfront who pays for what and put it in writing.