Is It Cheaper to Get Married Abroad or in the UK?

Is it cheaper to get married abroad or in the UK? There is no single answer. A wedding abroad is often smaller, and one venue may host the ceremony, dinner and party, which can reduce the total. But travel, accommodation and extra days are added, and who pays for them changes the picture completely.

This guide compares what drives the cost of a UK wedding and a wedding abroad, the hidden costs on each side, the legal choices, and how to compare quotes fairly. It is written for UK couples, with practical notes for those considering Turkey.

The Short Answer: When a Wedding Abroad Costs Less, and When It Doesn’t

A wedding abroad is more likely to cost less when the guest list is smaller, guests pay their own travel, and one venue covers the ceremony, dinner and party. It is more likely to cost the same or more when you invite as many people as you would at home, pay for guests’ flights or rooms, or plan several days of events.

The fairest comparison is the same wedding in both places: the same number of guests, the same food and drink, the same music and photography. Only then do the differences become clear.

What Drives the Cost of a UK Wedding

• Venue hire: many UK venues charge separately for the ceremony room, the reception and exclusive use, and Saturdays in summer are the most in demand.
• Catering per guest: a wedding breakfast, drinks reception and evening food, often for a larger guest list including evening guests.
• A long day: ceremony, reception and evening party are usually one long day, with staff, music and photography for many hours.
• Suppliers: flowers, styling, music, cake, hair and makeup, photography and transport, each booked separately.
• The legal ceremony: in England and Wales, register office or approved venue fees, and the registrar’s attendance if you marry at the venue. Rules differ in Scotland.

What Drives the Cost of a Wedding Abroad

Wedding abroad prices depend less on the destination than on these decisions:

• The venue and what it includes: a hotel, villa, beach club or restaurant may include furniture, catering and staff, or may need everything brought in.
• The guest count: fewer guests usually travel, which reduces catering and seating.
• Travel and rooms: flights and accommodation for the couple, and for any guests you decide to host.
• Extra events: when everyone travels, many couples add a welcome dinner, a pool day or a farewell brunch.
• Planning and coordination: a local planner to find the venue, book suppliers and run the day, because you cannot visit suppliers easily from home.
• The legal route: a legal ceremony abroad needs documents, translations and appointments; a symbolic ceremony after marrying at home does not.

The Guest List: The Biggest Difference

At home, it is easy to invite a wide circle of family, friends and colleagues, and evening guests add to the count. Abroad, the list usually becomes shorter because guests need to travel and take time off. That one change affects catering, seating, transport and the size of the venue you need.

The other key decision is who pays for travel. If guests book their own flights and rooms, the couple’s budget covers the wedding itself. If you cover some flights or rooms, the total can quickly exceed a wedding at home. Decide this early, and tell guests clearly what is included. Our guide on flying wedding guests from the UK covers the practical side.

Hidden Costs on Both Sides

The Legal Route: Marry at Home, or Abroad?

Many UK couples complete the legal marriage at a register office at home and then hold a symbolic ceremony abroad. This keeps the paperwork simple and lets the ceremony abroad take place wherever and however you like. Others marry legally abroad, which needs documents such as a certificate of no impediment, translations and an appointment with the local marriage office.

The UK government explains the steps on its page about getting married abroad. For Turkey, see our guides to British citizens marrying in Turkey and marriage in Turkey for foreigners, and our comparison of civil and symbolic ceremonies.

Currency: Pounds, Euros and Lira

Abroad, suppliers may quote in euros, pounds or the local currency, and the exchange rate can move between booking and the final payment. Ask which currency each service is quoted in, and keep a margin in your budget for changes. Comparing a UK quote with a quote from abroad only works when both are converted on the same date.

Why UK Couples Consider Turkey

Antalya is about four hours’ flight from the UK, with direct flights from many UK airports, especially in the wedding season. The coast offers beach, garden, terrace and hotel venues, and long, warm evenings from late spring to autumn. In May 2026, we planned a wedding for a couple from London who brought 60 guests to a beach club in Side, with the ceremony by the sea and the reception in the restaurant.

For what shapes the total in Turkey, read our guide to the cost of a wedding in Turkey. For planning support, see wedding planning in Antalya.

How to Compare a UK Quote With One From Abroad

1. Use the same guest count for both, or compare per guest.
2. List what each quote includes: ceremony, drinks, dinner, music, photography, flowers, transport and staff.
3. Add the costs outside the quote: your travel, any guest travel you cover, extra events and legal paperwork.
4. Check the currency and the date you converted it.
5. Ask about weather backup and what happens if numbers change.
6. Compare the experience as well as the total: one day at home, or several days with your guests abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions