Belfast ranks seventh in the UK’s cheapest cities for weddings as costs top £27,000 elsewhere
Wedding costs in the UK continue to rise unevenly, with couples in some cities facing double or even triple the price of others for what is, in theory, the same day. Venue hire, catering, photography, and accommodation all stack up quickly, but geography clearly plays a major role in how far a wedding budget stretches.
A new study by Trusted Psychics analysed 66 UK areas, calculating total wedding costs using a consistent basket of expenses including venue hire, catering for 100 guests, photography, floristry, transport, taxi fares, and hotel stays. The data for the study was collected from Bridebook, Numbeo, and Booking.
Couples planning their big day could save thousands simply by changing location, with Belfast emerging as one of the most affordable places in the UK to get married. The research reveals a total average wedding cost of £14,683 in the city, placing it firmly within the mid-tier of the top 10 cheapest locations nationwide.
Belfast ranks seventh overall, with venue hire averaging £5,210, placing it 18th cheapest in the study. Catering for 100 guests comes in at £7,000, while photography (£1,250) and floristry (£1,050) remain relatively modest compared with higher-cost UK cities. Transport is also fairly affordable, with public transport at £2.30 and taxi fares starting from £4.00.
Hotel accommodation in Belfast averages £166.98 per night, ranking 39th in the study and sitting around the middle-to-higher end of the scale. While not the cheapest for overnight stays, it does not significantly offset the city’s competitive core wedding pricing.
The findings suggest that Belfast benefits from strong availability of venues and suppliers relative to demand, helping keep key wedding costs lower than many comparable UK cities. As a result, it remains an attractive option for couples seeking a balance between city amenities and affordability.
At the other end of the scale, locations such as the City of London see total wedding costs soar to £27,542, driven by venue hire exceeding £10,000 and catering costs reaching £13,000. This stark contrast means couples could still make substantial savings by opting for cities like Belfast instead.
As wedding budgets remain under pressure, the research shows a simple but often overlooked factor: where you get married can shape your entire spend. For couples willing to look beyond traditional hotspots, cities like Belfast offer a way to celebrate without the financial strain.
List of the cheapest cities in the UK to get married:
Rank City Average wedding venue cost In-house catering cost per guest (x100 guests) Wedding photography cost Wedding florist cost Public transport cost Taxi starting fare Hotel accommodation cost Total cost
1 Armagh 1,572 6,800 1,200 1,000 2.50 4.40 134.54 10,713
2 Newry 2,741 6,800 1,200 1,000 3.00 3.00 236.01 11,983
3 Derry 4,373 6,800 1,200 1,000 3.93 4.06 158.22 13,539
4 Lisburn 4,380 6,800 1,200 1,000 2.00 3.50 177.44 13,563
5 Glasgow City 3,729 7,500 1,400 1,200 3.00 3.50 167.9 14,003
6 Wrexham 4,528 7,300 1,300 1,100 5.00 4.00 147.48 14,384
7 Belfast 5,210 7,000 1,250 1,050 2.30 4.00 166.98 14,683
8 Newcastle upon Tyne 4,892 7,300 1,350 1,100 2.40 3.80 83.59 14,732
9 Leicester 3,737 8,300 1,450 1,200 2.80 - 93.82 14,784
10 Newport 4,672 7,300 1,300 1,100 2.80 4.00 614.27 14,993