Mortgage vs Marriage: The UK Numbers

The average UK wedding now costs £20,000 to £24,000, which is a meaningful chunk of a first-time buyer deposit and bigger than most couples realise.

The hidden cost of a £20,000 wedding is not £20,000. Once you factor in the LTV band you miss and the compounded interest you pay across the mortgage, the true cost is closer to £40,000 to £60,000.

Marriage still has real legal and tax benefits over cohabitation in the UK. This is a financial decision, not just an emotional one.

For most couples the right answer is "both, in order, on a budget". A modest wedding first, then deposit-focused saving with a hard cap on each.