Celebrating Intercultural Love Stories Through Our Clients
How We Spent £60k on Our Wedding – And What Mattered Most
I often see couples feeling deflated before they’ve even started planning. Instagram is full of weddings overflowing with fresh flowers, serpentine tables and eye-watering grandeur – beautiful, yes, but often wildly unrealistic for the budget most couples actually have.
£60k is around the average budget of my clients, and I thought it would be genuinely helpful to show what that figure can look like in real life – not as a template, but as an honest example of how priorities shape the day. Because the idea of a “champagne wedding on lemonade money” really doesn’t work, and comparison is the quickest way to lose sight of what actually matters.
Our Priorities First
From the outset, we were clear on two things:
- Guest experience was our top priority
- We wanted to enjoy the day as much as our guests did
We wanted a wedding that felt thoughtful, generous and full of “wow” moments – not just visually, but emotionally too. I’m a perfectionist and a detail person, so those little touches really mattered to me.
The Venue: Non-Negotiable
Our biggest investment was always going to be the venue. We chose Wotton House, and it was completely non-negotiable. I’d fallen in love with it over 20 years earlier – the pillars, the decorative details, the grand fireplace in the Old Library – it had stayed with me ever since.
Because it’s a hotel, we were tied to in-house catering. With 140 guests and the food choices we wanted, our venue and catering came to £27,400. It was a big number, but it set the tone for the entire day and underpinned the guest experience we cared so deeply about.
We married on the Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend. Protecting my husband’s families Sabbath was important to him, and I wanted a Saturday-style feel – the bank holiday gave us the best of both worlds.
Flowers, Styling & Atmosphere
Flowers were always going to be important to me – not just for how they looked, but how they felt. I wanted fresh flowers on the tables for their scent as much as their beauty, alongside styled elements that elevated the space.
We combined:
- Silk blossom trees
- Floating aisle candles
- Fairy lighting
- A full-length aisle runner
- Silk ceiling installations for the wedding breakfast
- Fresh florals for tables
Nothing went to waste – flowers were gifted to family, broken into bunches for guests to take home, and my bouquet was preserved in resin as a keepsake.
Total spend: £7,000
Music That Matched the Mood
Music shaped the emotional rhythm of our day. We created different atmospheres for each part:
- A harpist as guests arrived
- A steel band during drinks reception (a nod to our Caribbean heritage and carnival weekend)
- A DJ who handled ceremony music precisely and delivered an incredible evening party
Total music spend: £2,558
Capturing the Memories
Our photographer cost £1,750 and our videographer £2,140. We chose two videographers so we could see both sides of our morning preparations — something we are so grateful we did. Our finished film is one of our most treasured keepsakes.
Cake (With a Clever Twist)
We had a beautiful four-tier cake — but only one tier was real. The rest were dummy tiers for design impact, with traybakes pre-cut and boxed for guests. Practical, elegant and time-saving.
Cost: £1,200
What We Wore
I firmly believe you should feel your absolute best on your wedding day.
- My dress (including alterations): £3,180
- My husband’s made-to-measure suit: £2,000
We agreed we’d have exactly what we wanted — no compromises.
Hair, Makeup & Bridal Party
Hair and makeup for myself, my mum, four adult bridesmaids, two junior bridesmaids and our flower girl came to £1,300.
We also covered:
- Bridal party outfits
- Shoes
- Accommodation the night before
It mattered to us that being part of our wedding didn’t cost our loved ones money.
Total: £2,535
The Fun Extras
- Magic mirror photo booth: £400
- Guest favours (macarons + flip-flops): £1,000
- Limo for the male bridal party: £375
The Practical Bits
- Registrars: £671
- Save the dates, postal invitations, menus: £1,500
- On-the-day signage: £300
Evening Food & Culture
Representation mattered to us. For evening food, we brought in an external caterer with a jerk drum for a Caribbean BBQ. Guests loved it — and it felt authentically us.
Cost: £3,000
Final Touches
- Wedding rings: £1,500
- On-the-day coordinator: £1,500
- Wedding party & thank-you gifts: £200
The Final Total
When everything is added up, our wedding came to:
£61,509
So yes — just over £60k.
But what that number really represents is:
- 140 guests feeling looked after
- A day that reflected our values and heritage
- Memories we’ll treasure forever
- And a wedding that felt intentional, not performative
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: a “big budget” wedding isn’t about doing everything – it’s about doing the right things for you.
Wedding Budget Summary
| Category | Spend (£) |
| Venue & Catering | 27,400 |
| Flowers & Styling | 7,000 |
| Music & Entertainment | 2,558 |
| Photography | 1,750 |
| Videography | 2,140 |
| Cake | 1,200 |
| Bride’s Attire (incl. alterations) | 3,180 |
| Groom’s Suit | 2,000 |
| Hair & Makeup | 1,300 |
| Bridal Party Outfits & Accommodation | 2,535 |
| Photo Booth | 400 |
| Guest Favours | 1,000 |
| Limo Transport | 375 |
| Registrars | 671 |
| Stationery (Save the Dates, Invitations & Menus) | 1,500 |
| On-the-Day Signage | 300 |
| Evening Food (External Caterer) | 3,000 |
| Wedding Rings | 1,500 |
| On-the-Day Coordinator | 1,500 |
| Gifts & Thank Yous | 200 |
| Total Spend | £61,509 |
This breakdown isn’t a template – it’s simply an example of how a £60k budget can be shaped around what matters most to you.
If you’d like support keeping track of your budget and planning your wedding in a way that feels intentional and aligned with what matters most to you, I’d love to help. Send me a message and we can talk about how we might work together.