Everything you need to know about ‘prenup season’

In the past few years, prenups have become a key part of wedding planning for many couples in the UK. New data shows a sharp surge in demand during the second quarter of the year, which has been dubbed ‘prenup season’.

Brett Frankle, partner at Mills & Reeve , explains how the trend has developed and why more couples are choosing to put agreements in place ahead of their wedding.

Prenups peak between April and July

Over the last five years, we have seen a sharp rise in prenups between April and July, linked to summer weddings, pre‑holiday planning and time‑sensitive instructions before ceremonies, with July proving particularly popular.

Although there is no strict legal deadline for signing a prenup, there is a commonly cited guideline that prenups should be signed at least 28 days before a wedding. While this is not law, it has become a widely accepted benchmark.

A solid prenup takes time to prepare

With many couples planning summer weddings, it is important that a prenup is not left until the last minute. A well-prepared agreement takes time, allowing for reflection, independent legal advice and financial transparency. Both parties need sufficient time to consider the terms properly and take advice.

Signing too close to the wedding can lead to arguments around pressure or a lack of time to reflect. While agreements completed shortly before a ceremony can still be upheld, they are more open to challenge. Ultimately, the key principle is fairness, with courts considering whether both parties entered into the agreement freely, with full understanding and proper disclosure.

Prenups are a practical and sensible approach

Once regarded as unromantic or a sign of distrust, prenups are increasingly being viewed as practical and sensible, approached much like a will or insurance policy. One in five UK weddings involve a prenup, and a 2025 YouGov survey found that 59% of 25- to 49-year-olds believe having a prenup is a good idea.

Previously associated mainly with the wealthy, prenups are becoming more common across all income levels. As more people marry later in life, with the average age now in the mid-30s, many enter marriage with their own homes, higher earnings and existing assets. As a result, prenups are increasingly seen as a straightforward way to protect what individuals have built.

This shift from taboo to mainstream was underscored at the 2026 Oscars, where nominees received a customisable prenup agreement in their gift bag. Further evidence of growing interest can be seen in Google Trends data, which measures relative search volume on a scale from 0 to 100. UK searches for ‘prenup’ peaked in February 2026, reaching the maximum score of 100, the highest level recorded in the past five years.

Prenups don’t mean you expect your marriage to fail!

Prenups are not about expecting a marriage to fail; they’re about creating clarity and reducing uncertainty. Their rise reflects the increasing recognition of marriage as both a legal and financial partnership, regardless of wealth or status.

We have seen this reflected in our clients’ behaviour. More people, particularly younger professionals across Gen Z and Millennials, are open to the idea of signing a prenup before they get married. There is far less stigma than there was even a decade ago.

While prenups are determined by where a couple lives rather than where they marry, 16% of our prenup cases involve an international element, such as overseas assets, cross-border marriages or couples of different nationalities. This reflects a broader rise in international relationships and marriages, with 21% of UK weddings now taking place abroad for a variety of reasons, bringing greater focus to where prenups will be recognised and enforced.

We have also observed that prenups are particularly common among those working in finance, private equity and entrepreneurial sectors, with more than 65% concentrated in key economic centres such as London, Manchester and Oxford.

Why open discussion about your finances is good

Although many assume that raising the topic of a prenup with a partner is awkward or confrontational, I have seen that the reality is often different. While open discussion about finances may feel uncomfortable at first, it often fosters greater transparency and understanding within the relationship.

In contrast, one of the most challenging situations in divorce is when a spouse has little or no understanding of the other’s financial position. That lack of clarity often leads to significant conflict. Viewed this way, a prenup is more than a legal document; it is a structured conversation about financial expectations and future planning.

Five tips to help you prepare a prenup this season

Here are my top tips for those considering a prenup ahead of the summer wedding season:

Plan early: Start discussions soon after engagement to allow time for reflection and advice.
Be open: Share financial positions, assets and expectations honestly to avoid surprises later.
Seek professional guidance: Engage independent legal advice to ensure the agreement is fair and enforceable.
Focus on fairness: To be effective prenups must meet both parties’ needs and provide financial disclosure.
Consider international elements: If you have overseas assets or cross-border ties, seek guidance to ensure enforceability across jurisdictions.

It’s sensible to seek legal guidance as early as possible to understand what is realistic and enforceable. The agreement must be fair in the eyes of the law, meet both parties’ needs, and provide financial disclosure. Those principles are far more important than any rigid timelines or technicalities.

For more information on Mills & Reeve, visit mills-reeve.com.