A wedding is more than just a single day — it's a milestone moment that brings joy, memories, and often a hefty price tag. Venues, catering, photography, attire, and even small extras can add up faster than expected. Starting your savings early allows you to spread the cost over time, avoid expensive borrowing, and secure better deals on suppliers and venues before prices rise.

Behavioural science shows that setting up a dedicated “wedding pot” boosts commitment and motivation. This is a form of mental accounting — by labelling money for specific goals, such as a “venue fund” or “honeymoon pot,” you're less likely to spend it on unrelated expenses.

Research also suggests that saving for a big life event can make the journey even more meaningful. Anticipation, progress tracking, and milestone celebrations add to the excitement, making the countdown to your wedding both financially and emotionally rewarding.

Use this calculator to estimate your total wedding cost. Add the main expenses below — from the venue and catering to attire, flowers, and the honeymoon — to see your full budget build in real time.

Once you know your total wedding budget, the next step is to break it into manageable monthly savings. A clear timeline turns a daunting total into a realistic, step-by-step plan. Behavioural science, particularly the goal-gradient effect We tend to put in more effort as we get closer to a goal. , shows that visible milestones make saving feel easier and more motivating.

Use the calculator below to see how much you need to save each month, taking into account your current savings and any expected contributions from family or friends.

Weddings require a unique savings strategy because many suppliers ask for substantial deposits well in advance — often 30-50% of the total cost — with the balance due just before the big day. Planning around these payment milestones helps you avoid last-minute financial pressure and ensures you have the cash ready when invoices arrive.

Breaking a large, intimidating total into smaller, timed targets (like “venue deposit” or “final catering bill”) feels far more achievable and motivating than saving a single lump sum. This approach This is technically known as "goal chunking" in behavioural finance. helps maintain focus and momentum.

Expense	When it's due	Typical deposit
Venue deposit	9-12 months before the wedding	30-40% of total venue cost
Catering	6-9 months before, final numbers 1-2 months before	25-30% upfront
Photographer and/or videographer	At booking (usually 6-12 months ahead)	25-50% upfront
Wedding attire	6-8 months ahead (for fittings)	20-50% upfront
Final balances	2-4 weeks before the wedding	Remaining 50-70%

Your wedding fund should work as hard as you do — earning interest while staying organised for upcoming payments. Picking the right account means balancing access and returns, so your money can grow without being locked away when deposits are due (see Section 4).

At present, top easy-access savings accounts pay around 4.9% AER, while many 90-day notice accounts offer up to 5.3% AER. The table below highlights current best-buy ranges across easy-access, notice, fixed-term bonds, and ISAs — ideal for comparing your options.

If you need funds within the next few months — for example, to pay a venue deposit — an easy-access account is often best. If part of your wedding fund can remain untouched for 6 to 12 months, a notice account or short fixed-term bond usually provides a better return while still keeping your timeline flexible.

Keeping your wedding savings separate from everyday spending improves clarity and discipline. This mental separation Known as "mental accounting," this behavioural concept helps reduce the temptation to spend earmarked funds. makes progress feel tangible and prevents accidental overspending.

A high rate is only part of the equation. Equally important are the account’s access terms, flexibility, and features that help you save consistently. The right account should not only maximise returns but also fit your payment milestones and wedding budget strategy.

Key considerations when selecting an account for your wedding fund include:

• Flexible access: - Easy withdrawals prevent penalties on last-minute payments.
• Milestone alignment: - Splitting funds into separate pots (e.g., venue vs. honeymoon) helps match payment schedules.
• Joint or goal pots: - Digital banks offer visual tools for tracking contributions together.
• Low or no fees: - Avoid charges that eat into your savings.

A beautiful wedding doesn't have to mean overspending. The key is prioritising what truly matters to you and finding clever ways to reduce costs without sacrificing style or quality. From choosing an off-peak date to rethinking traditional expenses, small changes can create big savings — often £1,000 or more — without your guests noticing the difference.

Watch out for moral licensing bias The tendency to overspend on one area because you've “saved” in another, leading to false budgeting wins.. For example, saving £500 on flowers doesn't mean you should splurge the same amount on tableware — it's smarter to keep those savings for your honeymoon or contingency fund.

• Pick an off-peak date: - Venues and suppliers often offer 20-30% discounts for weekday or winter weddings. On a £10,000 venue bill, that could save £2,000 to £3,000.
• Limit the guest list: - Catering is often charged per head. Cutting just 10 guests could save £400 to £600 on food and drinks while creating a more intimate atmosphere.
• DIY décor and invites: - Handmade centrepieces or digital invitations can reduce costs by up to 50%. For example, DIY décor for a 100-guest wedding could save £300 to £500.
• Rethink the dress code: - Renting a designer gown or buying a sample sale dress can be 60-80% cheaper — often £800 to £1,500 less than bespoke tailoring.
• Bundle services: - Venues with in-house catering or photographers who also offer videography packages can cut £500 to £1,000 compared to hiring separately.
• Leverage cashback and rewards: - A £5,000 venue payment on a 1% cashback credit card could net £50 back — just be sure to clear the balance to avoid interest.
• Borrow or repurpose: - Borrow family heirlooms or décor from friends who recently married. Reusing vases, fairy lights, or tableware can save £200 to £400 while adding sentimental touches.

Growing your wedding fund isn't just about cutting costs — small wins and clever strategies can easily add £1,000 to £2,000 over a year without extra stress. Linking extra income or savings directly to your wedding goal creates a stronger sense of purpose and helps you stay motivated.

Unlock cash by selling unused items, using cashback apps, or taking on small side gigs. Even one-off windfalls — like tax refunds or work bonuses — can pay for big-ticket extras if you allocate them straight to your wedding savings.

Small, deliberate adjustments can free up significant amounts over time. Redirecting even £50 a month from unused subscriptions or impulse purchases can add £600 a year — enough for flowers or a live band. Use methods like the 50/30/20 rule to prioritise savings, and consider naming your account after your goal Known as “goal labelling,” this behavioural trick (e.g., “Our Wedding 2027”) makes saving feel more personal and harder to raid. .

Automation makes saving effortless. Set a standing order for the day after payday so the money is moved before you can spend it. Even increasing contributions by £10 a month adds £120 over a year — enough for a wedding cake upgrade.

• Standing orders: - Pay yourself first by automatically moving funds to your wedding account.
• Incremental boosts: - Increase monthly transfers by £5 to £10 as you cut other costs.
• Round-ups: - Banks with round-up features can save £5 to £15 a week in spare change — adding up to £250 to £750 a year.

Weddings are often sold as “once-in-a-lifetime” events — a mindset that can drive couples to overspend or lose sight of what truly matters. Knowing the most common traps in advance will help you stay in control and keep your budget aligned with your priorities.

A key psychological bias at play is anchoring When the first price you hear (e.g., a £5,000 venue) sets a mental benchmark, making all other options seem cheap or expensive by comparison. . To avoid this, always compare at least three quotes and negotiate based on value, not just the initial figure.

• The “wedding tax”: - Some suppliers raise prices when they know it's for a wedding. Request quotes using neutral terms like “event” or “celebration” to get a fairer price.
• Hidden fees: - Check for corkage, cake-cutting, venue overtime, or service charges that can quietly add hundreds to your bill.
• Late booking costs: - Leaving decisions too late often means paying premium prices or losing out on preferred suppliers.

• Over-customisation: - Personalised napkins, bespoke stationery, or intricate table décor can inflate costs while adding little to the experience.
• Trend chasing: - Pinterest-perfect ideas can quickly spiral into costly “must-haves.” Focus on what reflects your personality as a couple instead of fleeting trends.

• Underestimating extras: - Forgetting essentials like tips, travel, or last-minute décor purchases can blow your budget.
• No contingency fund: - Always allocate 5-10% of your budget for unexpected costs or upgrades to avoid last-minute stress.

A smart savings plan can make the difference between a smooth, stress-free wedding and one filled with last-minute financial pressure. Here's a quick overview of the essential habits to follow — and the mistakes to avoid:

To save you time, we've shortlisted the most competitive accounts for building a wedding fund. These are updated regularly and chosen based on strong rates and customer-friendly terms — ideal for short-to-medium-term saving.