Forget what you think you know about allocating your wedding budget, your research could be WELL out of date. Believe me, I’ve done the same research for my own wedding and the data could not be more wrong!

Probably the biggest Wedding Planning Guide (not going to name them) have stated that 1% of your wedding planning budget should be allocated to Hair & Makeup…. 1%!!!!?

That means, based on an average wedding costing £20,700 in the UK in 2024 your hair and makeup would be a total of £270. Broken down is £135 per service.

Now, if you want a cheap, new to the industry, hair or makeup artist then £135 may be what you’d be looking to spend for trial and on the day for both services… but to be honest it might not even be enough to cover a new artist’s work!

I am of the opinion that your budget allocation should be divided up in order of what YOU both will remember and how YOU both will feel on the day. Too many wedding planning guides put guests first and I strongly disagree with this, I mean this is yours and your spouse to be’s wedding day, not theirs right?

Will Auntie Janet really remember the crisp wall, or the MYO cocktail bar or the grow your own pumpkin seeds on the table?

Another way to think about budgeting is what you are both going to look back most in your wedding pictures, what will be going on your wall at home? Will it be the 1-2 pictures of your Jimmy Choo’s or will it be the couple shots, ceremony shots & the pictures that capture, so beautifully, you and your new spouse in love on your big day?

With that in mind, here’s the way I recommend dividing your wedding budget;

50% Venue, Ceremony & Catering – YOU both will remember all of this, and the guests will be happy because they’ve been fed.
15% Wedding Photography & Videography – In my opinion, these are THE most important supplier you could choose. Your day is once in a lifetime, it cannot be recreated so it has to be remembered!
7% Flowers & Decor – This is personal preference, I believe a beautiful wedding atmosphere will make you feel incredibly special on your big day so I’d personally allocate this.
10% Dress & Suits – Do I need to say more about this?! Get your dream outfits!
4% Hair & Makeup – To cover bride’s hair & makeup and a trial for each (more budget will need to be allowed for bridal party members, or ask them to cover their own)
5% Wedding Rings – these are going to be on your fingers a long time!
3% Cake – A traditional feature of weddings, enjoyed by you and your guests & likely to be in pictures you’ll hang.
5% Entertainment – A band, DJ or music for you and your guests to enjoy
1% Wedding Transport, if that- Will feature in a couple of pictures, if you know any friends or parents with nice cars, ask to borrow!

If your desire is to have bridal party members and cover their costs too then the first things to go for me would be the transport cost, get a cheaper pair of shoes or opt for DJ instead of live band for evening entertainment.

Remember, how will YOU both feel on your big day and what will YOU both look back on with butterflies in your tummy in the 90% of wedding pictures in your album? This will help you make the right decision for both of you.