Use this wedding savings calculator to work out how much to save each month and each week for your wedding, based on your target budget, current savings, timeline and contingency.
A wedding budget is only useful if the savings plan works. This calculator shows the monthly saving target, weekly saving target, remaining amount, and whether your current monthly saving is enough to reach your date.
Wedding savings planner
Wedding Savings Calculator
Enter your wedding budget, savings, contributions and timeline to calculate how much to save each month.
Enter your numbers to calculate your wedding savings target.
| Target including contingency | — |
|---|---|
| Months needed at current saving rate | — |
How much should I save each month for a wedding?
To calculate how much to save each month for a wedding, add your contingency to your target budget, subtract money already saved and confirmed contributions, then divide the remaining amount by the number of months before the wedding.
For example, if your wedding target is £18,000, you want a 10% buffer, you have £4,000 saved and £2,000 in confirmed contributions, your target becomes £19,800. After subtracting £6,000, you need to save £13,800. Over 14 months, that is about £986 per month.
Wedding savings formula
The basic formula is: monthly wedding saving target = (wedding budget + contingency – current savings – confirmed contributions) ÷ months until wedding.
What should be included in your wedding savings target?
- Venue deposit and final balance
- Catering, drinks and service charges
- Photography and video
- Outfits, alterations, hair and makeup
- Flowers, decor and stationery
- Entertainment, transport and guest extras
- Taxes, VAT, tips and required fees
- Contingency for last-minute changes
What if the monthly saving target is too high?
If the monthly target feels unrealistic, change one of the main levers: reduce the total budget, extend the timeline, lower guest count, increase confirmed contributions, or move optional extras out of the must-have budget.
You can also use the Wedding Cost Per Guest Calculator to see how guest count affects the total, then use the Wedding Budget Calculator to split your budget across categories.
Wedding savings timeline examples
| Remaining amount | 12 months | 18 months | 24 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| £6,000 | £500/mo | £333/mo | £250/mo |
| £12,000 | £1,000/mo | £667/mo | £500/mo |
| £18,000 | £1,500/mo | £1,000/mo | £750/mo |
Tips to save for a wedding faster
- Open a separate wedding savings account.
- Automate transfers on payday.
- Track deposits and final balances separately.
- Put gift money or bonuses straight into the wedding fund.
- Agree which extras are optional before paying deposits.
- Review the guest list before cutting the things you value most.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I save per month for my wedding?
Subtract your current savings and confirmed contributions from your target budget, then divide the remaining amount by the months left before the wedding.
Should I include a contingency in my wedding savings?
Yes. A 10-15% buffer is useful because wedding costs often change after quotes, guest counts and final supplier invoices are confirmed.
Is it better to delay the wedding or lower the budget?
If the monthly target is too high, either option can work. Delaying gives more saving time, while lowering the budget reduces financial pressure.
Should family contributions count as savings?
Only count contributions that are confirmed. Avoid building your wedding plan around money that has not been clearly agreed.
