How much does a luxury wedding really cost?
"Anna... how much should we budget?"
It's probably the question I'm asked more than any other.
It depends. (Helpful, I know.) One of the biggest misconceptions about weddings is that there is a magical figure at which your celebration suddenly becomes "luxury". There isn't. I've planned weddings where £100,000 has been spent with incredible care and intention, and I've planned celebrations many times that amount where every guest was flown in from overseas, stayed for three days and barely touched their wallet from the moment they arrived. Both were luxurious. Both were completely different. Because luxury isn't about spending more money.
It's about making people feel something.
It's the feeling your guests get when every detail has been thought about before they've even realised they need it. It's a perfectly chilled bottle of water waiting in the car after twelve hours of dancing. It's knowing exactly where they're meant to be without ever having to ask. It's arriving back to their bedroom to discover tomorrow's itinerary waiting alongside a midnight snack.
Those little moments don't necessarily cost a fortune. They just require someone to think about them. And that's where thoughtful planning makes all the difference. One thing I always remind couples is this: How much you spend celebrating your commitment to one another is never a measure of the strength of your marriage.
If your wedding costs £50,000, £250,000 or £750,000, what your guests will remember isn't the number. They'll remember how your wedding made them feel.
First things first... decide what matters to you.
Every couple has that thing. For some it's food. For others it's flowers. Sometimes it's a ten-piece band that keeps everyone dancing until 2am. And sometimes it's simply having every single person they love in one place.
There isn't a right answer. The only mistake is trying to have absolutely everything.
Because - trust me - you can. I've yet to meet a couple who couldn't spend another £50,000 if they really wanted to. There is always another floral installation. Another lighting rig. Another evening surprise. Another course. Another bespoke cocktail. Another reason to say "Oh... go on then."
The trick isn't spending more. The trick is spending intentionally.
If your budget is around £100,000...
...I'd usually suggest something along these lines.
40% Reception
20% Photography & Videography
15% Flowers & Styling
10% Wedding Attire
10% Entertainment
5% Everything else
You might be wondering why I've suggested allocating twice as much to photography and videography as to your dress. Because in twenty years' time, your photographs are still hanging on the wall. Your wedding film is still making you cry. Your children may one day watch it. Your grandchildren might too. Your memories deserve investing in.
These percentages aren't fixed rules, but they're a useful starting point when planning your priorities.
What changes at £250,000?
Interestingly, the guest count doesn't always increase dramatically. Instead, the additional investment often goes into creating a far more immersive experience.
This might include:
A welcome dinner the evening before.
A farewell brunch or pool party.
Bespoke floral installations.
Custom-built bars.
Architectural lighting.
Live entertainment throughout the weekend.
Multiple venues across several days.
Elevated guest experiences from arrival to departure.
Rather than simply making the wedding "bigger", these budgets allow far greater creative freedom.
What does a £500,000+ wedding look like?
At this level, the wedding often becomes a full guest experience rather than a single event. Many guests may be travelling internationally, requiring careful logistical planning alongside the celebrations themselves.
Budgets at this level frequently include:
Exclusive hire of private estates.
Guest accommodation.
International guest logistics.
Chauffeurs and luxury transport.
Concierge-style guest management.
Welcome gifts.
Multiple events across several days.
Bespoke production and entertainment.
Completely custom-designed floral and styling concepts.
Behind the scenes, there is also a much larger team working to deliver everything seamlessly.
The biggest thing couples underestimate
If there's one area we would encourage couples to prioritise, it's photography and videography.
Your photographs and films become the way you relive one of the most important days of your life. We have never heard a couple say they wished they had spent less on capturing those memories. Beautiful imagery becomes an heirloom - not just for you, but for generations to come.
Budget for the things you can't see
One of the biggest surprises for couples is discovering the number of essential costs that sit behind the scenes.
Depending on your venue, these might include:
Generator hire.
Temporary power distribution.
Supplier accommodation.
Crew catering.
Heritage venue restrictions.
Security.
Additional staffing.
Service charges.
VAT.
Overtime.
Breakages and hire losses.
They're rarely the glamorous part of wedding planning, but they're often essential to delivering a seamless celebration.
If you're at the beginning of your planning journey and would like expert guidance on creating a celebration that feels uniquely yours, we'd love to hear from you.