UK ETA for Wedding Guests 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Been invited to a British wedding? Wonderful news. But international guests have one piece of paperwork to sort out first — before the flights and hotel are booked. Since 2025, travellers from ETA-eligible countries have needed a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), and since 25 February 2026 the rule has been fully enforced before boarding, and that includes everyone heading over for weddings, engagement parties, and other family celebrations. This guide covers everything wedding guests should know about the scheme in 2026.

Do Wedding Guests Need a UK ETA?

Yes. Citizens of countries that qualify for visa-free travel to the UK — including all EU citizens, US citizens, Canadians, Australians, Japanese nationals, and many others — now need an approved ETA to attend a wedding or any other event in Britain.

Key fact: The ETA costs £20 per application, is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, and covers multiple visits of up to 6 months each. Visitors of 85 nationalities (Home Office figure) must hold an ETA before travelling (Source: GOV.UK).

The ETA is a straightforward online application that costs £20 per person. GOV.UK says you usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days. Once granted, it lasts 2 years or until your passport expires (whichever is sooner) and covers multiple trips to the UK, each for up to 6 months. This means you can use the same ETA for the wedding and any future UK visits within the validity period.

When Should Wedding Guests Apply for Their ETA?

We recommend applying for your authorisation as soon as you receive the wedding invitation and confirm your attendance. Most decisions arrive within a day, but GOV.UK says it can take up to 3 working days, and you must not travel until you have the email confirming your ETA.

Applying early provides several advantages:

• Book without second-guessing: With approval already in hand, you can commit to flights and a hotel knowing your entry to Britain is settled.
• Time to resolve issues: If your application encounters problems (such as a rejected photo or incorrect information), you have time to fix and resubmit.
• Booking confidence: With your ETA confirmed, you can book non-refundable flights and hotel rooms with confidence.
• Group coordination: If travelling as a family or group, early application allows everyone’s ETA to be processed in time.

As a practical rule, apply as soon as you have booked – the ETA lasts up to 2 years, so applying early wastes nothing. Large groups and families should not leave it to the final week, because each traveller’s application is decided separately. Check current UK ETA processing times for the latest estimates.

Information Couples Can Share with International Guests

Couples planning a UK wedding with international guests can prevent last-minute complications and ensure all your guests can attend your special day. Consider including the following information with your wedding invitations:

What to Include in a Wedding Invitation Insert

• A short note flagging that international guests may need an ETA to cross the border
• A link to the official UK Government ETA page for eligibility checking and application
• A nudge to apply as soon as flights are booked, and not later than 3 working days before travel
• The current ETA cost (£20 per person, including children)
• A reminder that every guest requires a separate ETA linked to their passport
• Your contact details in case guests have questions about entry requirements

Sharing this information early shows thoughtfulness toward your international guests and helps avoid the stress of last-minute travel document issues.

Attending a Wedding on a UK ETA: What Is Allowed?

An ETA lets you come in as a visitor, and joining a wedding as a guest falls squarely within the permitted activities. You can:

• Attend the wedding ceremony (civil or religious)
• Attend the wedding reception, dinner, and celebrations
• Participate in pre-wedding events such as rehearsal dinners, hen or stag parties, and engagement celebrations
• Stay with friends or family during your visit
• Combine wedding attendance with tourism and sightseeing
• Attend related events such as post-wedding brunches or family gatherings

What a Wedding Guest ETA Does NOT Allow

While joining the celebration is perfectly fine on an ETA, a few activities are not permitted:

• Getting married yourself: Planning to wed in Britain (as opposed to attending someone else’s wedding)? You need a Marriage Visitor visa. GOV.UK lists marrying, forming a civil partnership and giving notice of either among the things you cannot do with an ETA. This holds true even if you plan to marry another international visitor or a UK citizen.
• Working at the wedding: Photographers, videographers, caterers, musicians, and other service providers being paid for their work generally cannot do this on an ETA: paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person is not allowed, apart from narrow exceptions such as permitted paid engagements. For details, see our guide on UK ETA for business travel.
• Staying longer than 6 months: Each entry on an ETA allows a maximum stay of 6 months. You cannot extend your stay beyond this limit without applying for a visa.

Applying for a UK ETA as a Wedding Guest

Step-by-Step Application Process

You apply in the official UK ETA app or online through GOV.UK; there is no appointment. Follow our detailed guide on how to apply for UK ETA online for the complete process. Here is a summary of what you will need:

Required documents and information:

• The passport you will travel with – the ETA is linked to it, and you must travel on that same passport
• Digital passport photo meeting UK ETA photo requirements
• Email address for application correspondence
• A credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay for the £20 fee
• Details of where you will stay (the venue or your hotel) – useful for your planning and for questions at the border

Applying for Children and Family Members

Every person travelling to the UK requires an ETA of their own, including infants and children. You can apply for a child in the UK ETA app if they are with you, or online if they are not. Each child needs their own passport, and the £20 fee applies per person regardless of age. At the border you may be asked to prove your relationship to a child travelling with you, for example with a birth certificate.

When travelling as a family to attend a wedding, it is advisable to submit all applications at the same time. This way, if any family member’s application requires additional processing, you become aware of it early and can address any issues before your travel date.

Planning Your Trip Around the Wedding

Making the Most of Your UK Visit

Since your ETA allows stays of up to 6 months and covers the whole UK, many wedding guests choose to extend their trip beyond the wedding itself. Consider combining your wedding attendance with:

• London sightseeing: Explore the capital’s world-famous attractions, museums, and cultural scene
• Countryside exploration: Visit the Cotswolds, Lake District, or Scottish Highlands
• City breaks: Add a few days in Edinburgh, Bath, York, or Oxford
• Day trips: Take advantage of the UK’s excellent rail network to visit nearby attractions

Check our guides on UK public transport and Edinburgh travel for inspiration on expanding your trip.

Accommodation Tips for Wedding Guests

When attending a UK wedding, accommodation can book up quickly, especially if the venue is in a rural area with limited options. Book your accommodation as soon as you receive the invitation and confirm your ETA. Many couples provide recommended accommodation lists with their invitations, and some negotiate group rates at nearby hotels.

If the wedding is in a countryside location, consider renting a car. Rural UK venues can be difficult to reach by public transport, and having your own vehicle gives you flexibility for both the wedding day and sightseeing. Before you hire a car, check whether your licence is valid with the official GOV.UK non-GB licence checker.

UK Wedding Customs International Guests Should Know

British weddings have their own traditions and customs that may differ from celebrations in your home country. Here are some useful things to know:

• Dress code: UK weddings typically specify a dress code on the invitation. “Formal” or “black tie” means suits and formal dresses. “Smart casual” allows more flexibility. When in doubt, err on the side of being slightly overdressed.
• Gifts: Most UK couples have a wedding gift list or registry. Many now use online registries or request contributions toward a honeymoon fund. Cash gifts are becoming more common but are not expected. If giving cash, amounts typically range from £50 to £150 depending on your relationship with the couple.
• Timing: UK weddings often span the full day. A ceremony at 2pm might be followed by a drinks reception, wedding breakfast (dinner), speeches, and evening party with a second round of guests joining for dancing and a buffet.
• Speeches and toasts: Traditional UK wedding speeches include the father of the bride, the groom, and the best man. Guests are expected to stand for toasts and raise their glasses when prompted.
• Tipping: Unlike some countries, tipping at UK weddings is not expected from guests. The couple typically handles gratuities for venue staff, caterers, and other service providers.

Dual Nationals and Wedding Attendance

If you hold dual nationality, choosing the right passport for your ETA application is important. British citizens and Irish citizens do not need an ETA to cross the UK border. If you hold a British or Irish passport alongside another nationality, enter the UK using your British or Irish passport and no ETA is required. For other dual nationals, apply for the ETA using whichever passport you intend to travel with, ensuring it matches the passport presented at check-in and border control.

What If Your UK ETA Is Refused?

Guests Who Need a Visa Instead of an ETA

Not every guest can use an ETA. Nationalities on the UK’s visa national list – for example Turkey – need a Standard Visitor visa, which costs £135 and usually takes about 3 weeks after the visa application centre appointment. Guests who have a criminal record or have been refused entry before are advised by GOV.UK to apply for a Standard Visitor visa rather than an ETA. Couples with guests in these situations should send invitations early, because the earliest a visitor visa can be requested is 3 months before travel. British and Irish citizens, and anyone with a UK visa or settled or pre-settled status, need neither.

While ETA refusals are uncommon, they do happen. If your application is refused, don’t panic. There is no right of appeal or administrative review against an ETA decision, but you can apply for a visa instead. Common reasons for refusal include incomplete applications, passport issues, or unresolved security questions. Our guide on what to do if your UK ETA is refused provides detailed steps for resolving the situation.

If your ETA is refused and you cannot resolve the issue in time for the wedding, contact the couple immediately to explain the situation. Consider sending a video message or joining the ceremony via video call if the couple is open to this option. You can also apply for a Standard Visitor visa, but GOV.UK says decisions usually take about 3 weeks, so it is only realistic if the wedding is some weeks away.

Official Sources & References

1. UK Government — Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation
2. UK Government — Marriage Visitor Visa
3. UK Home Office — ETA Factsheet (April 2026)
4. UK Government — What you can and cannot do with an ETA
5. Visit Britain — Planning Your Trip to Britain

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attend a wedding in the UK as a tourist on an ETA?

Yes, if your nationality is ETA-eligible. Attending a friend’s or relative’s wedding is a visit to family or friends, which an ETA covers. You don’t need a special visa to attend someone else’s celebration anywhere in the UK.

Do I need a special visa to get married in the UK?

Yes. If you plan to tie the knot in Britain (rather than attending someone else’s wedding), you need a Marriage Visitor visa, which costs £135 (against £20 for an ETA), usually takes about 3 weeks to decide and only allows you to marry at a licensed venue. The standard UK ETA does not permit you to marry in the UK.

Can I bring a gift through UK customs?

Yes, you can bring wedding gifts into the UK. When arriving in Great Britain you can usually bring in other goods, including gifts, worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat), according to GOV.UK. Bringing a gift worth more than that? You may need to declare it and pay duty. Alcohol and tobacco gifts have separate, more restrictive allowances.

How far in advance should I apply for the ETA before the wedding?

Apply as soon as your travel is confirmed, and no later than 3 working days before you fly. GOV.UK says most decisions arrive within a day, but some take up to 3 working days. Applying early also gives you time to resolve any issues, book flights confidently, and coordinate with other guests who may be travelling with you.

Is the UK ETA valid for attending weddings in Scotland or Northern Ireland?

Yes. The ETA is valid for travel throughout the entire UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Regardless of where the wedding is being held, your ETA covers your entry to all parts of the UK.

Planning to attend a UK wedding? Apply for your UK ETA today and check current processing times to ensure you are ready well before the big day. Visit our UK ETA FAQ page for answers to more common questions.