The short answer
A South Asian wedding in the UK in 2026 typically runs between £25,000 and £60,000+ for 250–400 guests, with London and large multi-day celebrations at the top end. The single biggest line items are nearly always venue and catering, which together often account for more than half the total.
Below is a realistic breakdown and, crucially, the order to book each supplier so you lock in the ones that take only one wedding per date first.
Where the money goes
Venue: £6,000–£20,000 depending on city, day of week and exclusivity. Catering: £30–£70 per head, so £9,000–£28,000 for a large guest list. Photography and videography: £1,500–£5,000 combined. Decor, staging and florals: £2,000–£10,000. Bridal outfits and jewellery: £2,000–£8,000. Mehndi, hair and makeup: £600–£2,500. DJ or live band: £600–£2,500. Cake, favours and transport: £500–£2,000.
The order to book
Book in this sequence: 1) venue and date, 2) photographer and videographer, 3) caterer, 4) decor and mehndi artist, 5) outfits and jewellery, 6) DJ, cake and the rest. The first four take one couple per date, so they go fastest — secure them early.
How to save without it showing
Choose a Friday or Sunday over a Saturday. Trim the guest list before you trim quality. Book a photographer who also offers video as a bundle. And always send one brief to several vendors so you can compare real quotes side by side rather than guessing.