What wedding quotes should actually cost
The wedding industry has the most pronounced information asymmetry of any consumer market. Couples typically plan one wedding in their lifetime. Suppliers price thousands of them. The result is that overpaying by 20–40% is common — not because suppliers are dishonest, but because couples have no reference point.
Quotive analyses every line item in your wedding quote against real UK market data. We tell you what is fair, what is high, what is missing, and what questions to ask before you sign.
Wedding venues
£3,000 – £25,000
Venue hire costs vary enormously. Barn venues average £8,000, city hotels £12,000+. Always check what is included — catering, staffing, and late licence fees are often extra.
Photography
£1,200 – £4,500
Wedding photographers average £2,000–£2,800 for a full day. Second shooters, albums, and engagement shoots are usually charged separately. Check how many edited images are included.
Catering
£55 – £150 per head
Catering quotes should always show a per-head breakdown. Check whether waiting staff, crockery hire, and service charge are included — these can add 20–30% to the base price.
Flowers and florist
£1,500 – £8,000
Floristry quotes are notoriously vague. A good quote itemises each arrangement — bridal bouquet, buttonholes, table centrepieces, ceremony arch — with individual pricing.
Wedding cars
£400 – £1,200
Classic car hire for the wedding day typically runs £500–£800. Check whether the price is per vehicle or for a package, and whether a waiting charge applies if the ceremony runs late.
Entertainment and band
£800 – £4,000
A four-piece live band averages £1,800–£2,500 for an evening. Check travel costs, setup time requirements, and whether PA and lighting are included.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my wedding venue quote is fair?
Paste the quote into Quotive. We check the hire fee, catering costs, and any extras against real UK wedding venue pricing for your region. Many couples are quoted above market rate, particularly for popular dates.
What should a wedding catering quote include?
A complete catering quote should show cost per head, number of courses, waiting staff ratio, crockery and glassware, setup and breakdown time, service charge, and any corkage fee if you are supplying your own wine.
Are wedding photographer quotes negotiable?
Yes. Photographers often have flexibility on albums, second shooters, and engagement shoots. Quotive tells you the market rate for your chosen package — giving you confidence to negotiate if the quote is above range.
Why do wedding suppliers charge so much?
Wedding pricing reflects real costs — specialist equipment, weekend rates, insurance, and significant preparation time. The problem is the information asymmetry: couples have no reference point. Quotive gives you that reference point for free.
Can I compare multiple wedding quotes on Quotive?
Yes. Use the multi-quote comparison on the analyse page. Paste each supplier quote in separately and Quotive ranks them, identifies scope differences, and flags which has the most complete offering — not just the cheapest price.
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