Planning your wedding can be a fun, challenging and rewarding process. But as you put together everything you need, including your choice of venue, food, attire, cake, transport and more, it can also be an expensive process.
If you’re getting married on a budget, a hotel wedding is a fantastic option. Everything you need, from the ceremony to the reception, is right there in one place. Not only does this make a hotel wedding super appealing, but it has the added bonus of being far more affordable than weddings that take place in other venues.
In this post, we’re going to dive into how much a hotel wedding costs, including the average cost, what factors can affect that cost and why it might just be the right option for you for your special day.
Can you get married in a hotel?
Yes, you can get married in a hotel. Many hotels have function rooms that make for a beautiful setting for a wedding, and also include many other facilities, such as catering and accommodation, to ensure you and your guests have a fabulous day.
What is a hotel wedding?
A hotel wedding is a wedding that takes place entirely in a hotel. One half (or both halves) of the happy couple will wake up in the hotel, get ready, welcome guests, and have the ceremony, the photographs, the breakfast and the reception all without so much as stepping out of the hotel’s grounds.
Some hotels offer all-inclusive wedding packages, and may even have an event or wedding planner that will work with you to help plan your big day. Because they’re equipped to handle almost every part of your wedding, you might not need to rely on many additional vendors, which makes a hotel wedding one of the most affordable types of wedding out there.
What’s the average cost of a hotel wedding?
You may be thinking, how much does a wedding cost in a hotel? It must be expensive, right? Well, in the UK, the average cost of a hotel wedding is £7,324, meaning it comes in cheaper than the average cost of a venue, which is £9,877.
Hotel weddings are the most popular choice of venue in the UK, with almost a quarter (24%) of couples choosing one to host their big day. Hotels offer the perfect balance of luxury, elegance, capacity, convenience and affordability. If you’re looking for this combination but have a smaller budget, you could go for a registry office wedding or a church wedding, which are the two of the cheapest wedding venue types.
Of course, this is just an average cost and prices can vary, but it should give you a good indication of what you might expect to pay for a hotel wedding. For more information on wedding costs, read our complete guide to the average cost of UK weddings.
Why is a hotel wedding a great choice for your wedding?
Thinking about a hotel wedding but not sure if it’s the right choice for you? Here are a few reasons why it should be high on your list of considerations:
- It’s convenient having everything in one location, including accommodation, catering, the ceremony and the reception.
- Many hotels offer packages, making the planning process simple.
- The hotel staff are experts at ensuring guest satisfaction and will be on hand to make sure your day goes perfectly.
- The chefs spend all day, every day cooking similar dishes to the ones on your chosen menu, so you can be confident the food will be delicious.
- Many hotels, especially those out in the country, have beautiful outdoor spaces, which will be perfect for your photographs.
- Your guests can just fall into bed at the end of the evening.
- You don’t need to worry about the weather spoiling your plans.
Check out our huge selection of hotels to find the ideal venue for your big day, with many offering exclusive Bridebook discounts.
What factors can affect the cost of a hotel wedding?
While the average cost of a hotel wedding might be £7,324, this cost can be higher or lower depending on many different factors. So, bear these in mind when planning your hotel wedding:
- The size and star rating of the hotel – The larger and more luxurious the hotel is, the more they’re likely to charge.
- The location – Where the hotel is will influence the cost. For example, London hotels will generally be more expensive than hotels located outside the capital.
- The number of guests – Expect to pay more if you have a large guest list.
- Season – You’ll pay more during busier seasons, such as during the summer or at Christmas.
- Day of the week – Weddings that take place at the weekend are generally more expensive than midweek weddings.
- Package – Hotels may offer a range of packages to suit various budgets.
- Catering – You’ll pay more if you choose to have premium food and ingredients as part of your menu.
- Accommodation – Even with a hotel wedding, relatively few couples pay for their guests’ hotel rooms. If you do choose to offer this, be prepared for your costs to skyrocket.
- Music and entertainment – Depending on what type of music and entertainment you go for, such as a DJ or live band, costs can fluctuate wildly.
On top of this, there are also the costs associated with your wedding that the hotel may not be in a position to arrange. This includes your cake, transportation (if needed), flowers, attire, favours and more. It’s important to also bear these in mind when it comes to budgeting your wedding.
Use our handy wedding budgeting tool to get a simple and clear idea of what you might spend on your special day. And, read our guide to savings money on your wedding for dozens of cost-cutting tips.
What are the pros and cons of a hotel wedding?
There are pros and cons to a hotel wedding, so if you’re still not sure if it’s right for you, consider these before making your decision.
The pros of a hotel wedding
- It’s one of the most convenient ways to have a wedding – you probably won’t even need to go outside (except to snap a few shots with the photographer if it’s dry).
- The hotel staff will be more than used to delivering top-class service.
- Accommodation is right there for you and your guests. They may even offer a discount for you and your new spouse to spend your first night as a married couple in the honeymoon suite (if they don’t, ask for one).
- The food at a hotel wedding will be expertly cooked, delicious and fresh.
The cons of a hotel wedding
- Some of the more desirable packages might be on the more expensive side.
- Certain hotels might not be too happy with you hiring external vendors – especially when it comes to catering and drinks.
- If it’s a larger hotel, there may be other, non-wedding party guests staying at the hotel that evening.
- Inner city hotels may lack outdoor spaces.
- Availability can go quickly, so make sure you secure your booking early.
How to choose the right hotel for your wedding
If you know that you’d love to have a hotel wedding but you’re not quite sure where or how to start looking, there are a few points to consider.
Firstly, is there a particular hotel where you and your partner have already made plenty of great memories? Maybe it’s somewhere you took your first trip together or you spend a long weekends there a couple of times a year? Choosing a hotel you’re familiar with gives you a head start and helps you feel confident about your choice.
If you haven’t stayed there before, why not book a cheeky night to scope the place out, try the food and have a nose into the space they use for weddings? If you like what you see, you can always speak to the manager or events team to get an idea of their rates and packages to see if they fit your budget.
You’ll want to make sure that the hotel can provide you with everything you need, or if not, whether they’re happy for you to hire outside vendors.
As soon as the two of you have decided it’s the perfect venue for your wedding, put your name down and pay the deposit to secure the booking so another couple can’t nab it from you. There’s nothing quite like the disappointment of psyching yourself up for a venue only for you to lose it.
Browse our huge selection of hotels to find the best venue for your hotel wedding.
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