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UK Wedding Statistics 2026: What the ONS Data Says
Key Takeaways
- The latest final ONS release covers marriages and civil partnerships registered in England and Wales during 2023
- There were 231,949 marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales in 2023
- Saturday remained the most common day for a marriage, with 2 September the busiest date
- The South East recorded the largest share of marriages, at 16.1%
- Supplier surveys and wedding-budget polls are useful, but they are not official population statistics
The most reliable wedding statistics in Britain arrive later than the headlines. This guide uses the latest final Office for National Statistics release available in 2026. It covers marriages and civil partnerships registered in England and Wales during 2023.
That distinction matters. A venue survey can describe its own bookings. A wedding website can report what its readers spent. Only official registration data can describe the full legal population it covers.
The main figures
The ONS recorded 231,949 marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales in 2023. This was 8.6% lower than 2022, a year still affected by weddings delayed during the pandemic.
| Measure | Latest final figure |
|---|---|
| Marriages and civil partnerships | 231,949 |
| Change from 2022 | -8.6% |
| Civil partnerships | 7,547 |
| South East share of marriages | 16.1% |
| Median age, opposite-sex marriage, men | 34.8 |
| Median age, opposite-sex marriage, women | 33.0 |
These figures should not be labelled a 2026 wedding count. They are 2023 events in the latest final release available when this page was checked on 19 August 2026.
The most popular wedding day
Saturday was still the most common day of the week to marry. Saturday 2 September was the busiest individual date in 2023, with 3,227 marriages.
That does not mean every couple should compete for a September Saturday. It explains why sought-after venues and suppliers often protect those dates with higher minimum spends or less flexible packages. A Friday, Sunday or weekday date may offer more choice.
Where most marriages took place
The South East recorded 16.1% of marriages in England and Wales, the largest regional share. This describes registrations by area, not where couples live or how much they spent.
Regional totals can reflect population size, venue supply and the locations couples choose for their ceremony. They should not be used as a league table of wedding quality or demand without further evidence.
Age at marriage
For people entering an opposite-sex marriage in 2023, the median age was 34.8 for men and 33.0 for women. Median is the middle value, not the average most people mean in casual conversation.
The ONS provides separate datasets for marriage type, sex, previous marital status and age. Use those tables when a claim needs more detail than a single headline figure.
What official statistics do not tell us
The ONS release does not report:
- the average wedding budget
- average guest numbers
- supplier prices
- engagement-ring spend
- honeymoon choices
- the number of symbolic ceremonies abroad
Those questions are usually answered through commercial surveys. Their results can still help, but the methodology matters. Check the sample size, fieldwork dates, who was invited, whether respondents self-selected and what the quoted total includes.
For example, one survey may include the honeymoon and engagement ring while another excludes both. Their figures can differ without either calculation being wrong.
How to quote wedding statistics accurately
Use the source year as well as the publication year. A clear attribution would say: “ONS data published in November 2025 recorded 231,949 marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales in 2023.”
Avoid turning England and Wales data into a UK-wide claim. National Records of Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency publish their own series on different timetables.
Do not call a commercial respondent sample “all UK couples”. Say who answered, how many people took part and when the fieldwork happened.
What the figures mean for planning
Official data can help with broad timing and location decisions, but it will not price an individual wedding. For a realistic budget, collect dated quotes from suppliers serving your venue and guest count.
If you want to reduce competition for a date, start with a non-Saturday option. If you are comparing regional prices, use like-for-like packages and ask whether VAT, travel, staff, setup and late-finish charges are included.
For related planning help, see our registry office wedding cost guide and wedding budget breakdown.
Sources and methodology
Figures were checked on 19 August 2026. We use final registration data and keep the event year visible so older figures are not presented as a current-year count.
Frequently asked questions
How many weddings take place in the UK each year?
There is no single same-year UK total. The latest final ONS release recorded 231,949 marriages and civil partnerships in England and Wales in 2023. Scotland and Northern Ireland publish separate data.
What is the most popular day to get married?
Saturday remained the most common day in the latest ONS release. Saturday 2 September was the busiest date in England and Wales in 2023.
What is the average age at marriage?
For opposite-sex marriages in 2023, the median age was 34.8 for men and 33.0 for women. The ONS publishes separate tables for other marriage types.
Do official statistics show the average cost of a wedding?
No. ONS marriage statistics count registered legal partnerships. Commercial wedding-cost surveys use voluntary samples and different definitions, so their averages are not directly comparable.
Are these figures for 2026 weddings?
No. This 2026 guide uses the latest final ONS release, which covers 2023 registrations and was published in November 2025. Official marriage statistics are released after registration and quality checks.