I’m Engaged! Now, Why is Everyone Asking Me About a Marquee?
A No-Nonsense Guide to the First Few Weeks of British Planning
The ring is on, you’ve called your mum, and you’ve probably spent at least four hours staring at your hand in different lighting. But then, the “British Wedding Machine” kicks in. Suddenly, your aunt is asking about the guest list, your best mate is sending you links to Pinterest boards with 400 mason jars, and you’re wondering if you actually need to spend £2,000 on a florist.
If you’re feeling a bit “deer in the headlights”, don’t worry. It’s not just you. Here is the real-talk guide to those first “What on earth do we do now?” questions.
1. “Wait, do we actually have to get married in a church?”
In the UK, the venue question is a big one. You might feel the tug of tradition (the village church) vs. the ease of a civil ceremony (the “all-in-one” hotel or barn).
- The Reality: If you want a church wedding, you often need to prove a “connection” to the parish. If you’re going civil, you need to book the registrar separately from the venue.
- The Human Take: Don’t book a cold stone chapel just to please your nan if you’d rather be getting married in a botanical garden or a quirky London pub.
2. “How much is this actually going to cost me?”
We’re British, so talking about money feels a bit “cringe”, doesn’t it? But you’ve got to do it. The average UK wedding is now hovering around £20k, which is a lot of money for one day of “I do’s”.
- The Strategy: Sit down with a brew (or something stronger) and decide your “Big Three”. Is it the food (no dry chicken, please), the free bar, or the band? Invest there. Everything else—like fancy chair covers or hand-calligraphed place cards—is optional.
3. “The Guest List: The ‘Pint Test'”
This is where the drama usually starts. Your parents might have a list of random “family friends” you haven’t seen since you were five.
- The Rule of Thumb: Use the Pint Test. If you wouldn’t happily buy that person a pint and sit with them for an hour in the pub, do they really need to be there for your most intimate moments?
4. “Do I have to do a ‘theme’?”
There’s a lot of pressure to have a “rustic barn” or a “vintage manor” vibe.
- The Truth: Your theme is “A really good Saturday night.” If you like wildflowers, have them. If you want to wear trainers under your dress, do it. You don’t need to turn your wedding into a stage set for Instagram.
5. “What if it rains?”
The eternal British dread.
- The Mindset: It might rain. In fact, it probably will. Budget for some cute umbrellas, make sure your venue has a “Plan B” room that isn’t a depressing conference suite, and then let it go. Rain on the day is meant to be good luck (mostly said by people trying to make you feel better, but we’ll take it).
6. “When did I become the ‘Project Manager’?”
The most human feeling in the world is being overwhelmed by the admin. Spreadsheets, deposits, insurance, “Save the Dates”… it’s a lot.
- Pro Tip: Give yourself “Wedding-Free Weekends”. No Pinterest, no emails to photographers, no talking about guest counts. Just you, your partner, and a Sunday roast.
The “Big Picture” Percentages
In the UK, the “Room and the Roast” (venue & food) will eat up about 50% of your budget. Here’s the standard split:
- 50%: Venue hire, catering, and the bar.
- 10%: Photography & Videography.
- 10%: Your dress, suit, and alterations.
- 10%: Flowers and decor.
- 5%: Entertainment (Band/DJ).
- 15%: The “Oh No” Fund (hidden fees, legalities, and things you forgot).
2026 UK Wedding Budget Tracker
Copy and paste this into a spreadsheet or your phone notes.
| Category | Estimated (£) | Actual (£) | Status | The “Real Talk” Tip |
| The Venue & Food | ||||
| Venue Hire | £6,500 | Ask if it includes VAT. If not, add 20%! | ||
| Catering (Day + Eve) | £5,500 | Don’t forget the “Evening Baps” for the drinkers. | ||
| Drinks / Corkage | £2,000 | Buying your own wine? Check the corkage fee first. | ||
| The Look | ||||
| The Dress & Veil | £1,500 | Sample sales are your best friend. | ||
| Alterations | £350 | Crucial: Dresses never fit perfectly off the rack. | ||
| Groom/Partner Suit | £600 | Buying is often better than hiring in 2026. | ||
| The Fun | ||||
| Band / DJ | £1,500 | Check the venue’s “sound limiter” rules first. | ||
| Photo Booth | £450 | See breakdown below. | ||
| The Cake | £400 | M&S “stacker” cakes are a legendary budget hack. | ||
| The Memories | ||||
| Photographer | £1,800 | Your only lasting souvenir—don’t cheap out here. | ||
| Flowers | £1,200 | Repurpose ceremony flowers for the reception. | ||
| The Boring (But Vital) | ||||
| Legal Fees/Registrar | £600 | Notice of marriage + Registrar travel fee. | ||
| Wedding Insurance | £100 | Non-negotiable. Buy this today. | ||
| TOTAL | £22,000 |
Which photo booth should you pick?
Depending on your vibe (and your remaining “fun money”), here is what you’re looking at in the UK for 2026:
- The “Budget Hero” (£250–£350): A Selfie Pod. It’s basically an iPad on a very posh stand with a ring light. Guests boomerang/GIF themselves, and it goes straight to their phones. No prints = no paper waste!
- The “Classic Crowd-Pleaser” (£400–£550): An Enclosed Oval Booth. You get the physical photo strips and a box of plastic props. Usually comes with an “attendant” (someone to fix the printer when your drunk uncle tries to use it).
- The “Instagram Diva” (£600–£850): A Magic Mirror or 360° Video Booth. It looks spectacular in the room and produces high-end videos or full-length mirror selfies.
The Bottom Line: You aren’t “The Bride™.” You’re just you, with a slightly fancier ring. Don’t let the industry turn you into a stressed-out version of yourself. It’s just a big, lovely party to celebrate the fact that you found your person.
Are you team “Big White Wedding” or “Small Registry Office & The Pub”? Let’s chat in the comments!
