What is a good budget for a wedding?
What is a good budget for a wedding?
$25,000 – $35,000 average wedding budget
Wedding budget breakdown
A good budget for a wedding balances what you want with what you can afford. While an average wedding budget ranges from $25,000 to $35,000, setting a realistic budget is the most important wedding decision you will make, as it directly affects your guest count, venue choice, and all other decisions.
The following wedding budget breakdown can help you understand how couples allocate their funds. The budget percentages do not add up to 100% since what you choose to spend depends on your priorities and preferences.
| Factor | Average percentage of the budget |
|---|---|
| Venue & catering | 40% – 50% |
| Photography & video | 10% – 15% |
| Wedding apparel & rings | 10% – 15% |
| Music (D.J. or live band) | 8% – 10% |
| Flowers & decorations | 8% – 10% |
| Wedding planner | 8% – 10% |
| Cake & favors | 4% – 5% |
| Invitations & stationery | 2% – 3% |
| Transportation | 2% – 3% |
| Ceremony fees | 2% – 3% |
| Miscellaneous costs | 3% – 5% |
| Contingency fund | 5% – 15% |
Plan ahead by reserving 5% to 15% of your total wedding budget as a contingency fund for unexpected costs or emergencies.
Average wedding cost by size
Unless you have unlimited funds, start by deciding what money you can comfortably contribute and ask parents or family how they can help. Once you set a spending limit, you can make your next important decision–who to invite–because your guest count impacts your budget more than anything else.
The average wedding costs $250 to $350 per guest. The larger the guest list, the more you’ll spend on a venue, catering, and staffing for your wedding. If you have a limited budget, consider keeping the guest list to close friends and family to save money.
| Number of guests | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Per person | $250 – $350 |
| 30 | $7,500 – $10,500 |
| 50 | $12,500 – $17,500 |
| 75 | $18,750 – $26,250 |
| 100 | $25,000 – $35,000 |
| 150 | $37,500 – $52,500 |
| 200 | $50,000 – $70,000 |
| 250 | $62,500 – $87,500 |
| 300 | $75,000 – $105,000 |
Wedding budget calculator
Some wedding costs, like your wedding planner, apparel, and photographer, will cost the same regardless of your wedding size. However, when it comes to food and drinks, you pay for each person. By adjusting the number of guests you invite, you can control your costs.
The following table includes the most common wedding expenses to help you create your personalized wedding budget spreadsheet. Your costs will vary depending on your wedding location and desired level of extravagance.
| Factor | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Wedding coordinator cost | $700 – $2,200 |
| Rehearsal dinner cost | $20 – $70 per guest |
| Wedding invitations cost | $5 – $8 per guest |
| Wedding venue cost | $50 – $250 per guest (all-inclusive) |
| Catering cost | $30 – $150 per guest |
| Wedding cake cost | $3 – $8 per guest |
| Wedding cupcakes cost | $2 – $6 per guest |
| Open bar cost | $10 – $40 per guest |
| Wedding photographer cost | $1,600 – $3,600 |
| Wedding videographer cost | $1,400 – $3,600 |
| Wedding DJ cost | $150 – $300 per hour |
| Live wedding band cost | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Wedding flowers cost | $500 – $3,500 |
| Wedding dress cost | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Wedding dress alterations cost | $150 – $700 |
| Wedding hair & makeup cost | $180 – $600 |
| Groom's tux rental cost | $90 – $180 |
| Wedding limo cost/transportation cost | $500 – $1,100 |
| Wedding officiant cost | $200 – $1,000 |
| Fireworks cost | $1,000 – $1,200 per minute |
| Wedding insurance cost | $100 – $500 |
| Wedding favors cost | $100 – $500 |
Wedding cost factors
When planning your wedding budget, think about these key factors:
Guest list size: The more guests you invite, the more you'll spend. A larger guest count means a larger venue and higher costs for food, drinks, invitations, and staffing.
Location: Where you choose to have your wedding can influence the costs. In many cases, a rural wedding costs less than a city wedding, and a destination wedding costs less than a local venue.
Venue: City parks and other outdoor venues have lower prices than grand ballrooms or museums. Also, many popular wedding venues have headcount minimums, meaning they won’t host a small wedding.
Wedding style: The more formal the wedding, the more expensive. A plated dinner with multiple courses of high-end cuisine costs more than a casual outdoor buffet or barbecue.
Date & time: An off-season wedding, between November and February, often costs up to $15 less per person since weather and holidays make these dates less popular for weddings. Also, weekday or afternoon weddings, being less in demand, may have lower costs.
Hidden wedding costs
Weddings often have hidden costs that can catch you off guard if you haven’t budgeted for them. An easy one to plan is the cost for wedding gifts of appreciation for the bridesmaids, groomsmen, wedding planner, day-of-wedding coordinator, and wedding officiant. A general guideline for these gifts is $5 to $50 each.
Other surprise costs are harder to plan for and may include:
Overtime expenses: Overtime for bartenders, D.J.s, and waitstaff can quickly accumulate if the celebration extends beyond the planned time.
Tastings & trial runs: Sampling menus or hair and makeup trials can incur additional costs.
Gratuities & vendor tips: Tips of 10% to 20% for the waitstaff, bar staff, D.J., and other vendors are common and expected. Always check the contract carefully to confirm what is included in the price.
Postage: Stamps for mailing, save the dates, invitations, and thank you cards cost $0.66 each for standard rectangular envelopes and $1.06 each for square or oversized envelopes.
Extras: Ribbons for guest favors and that extra corsage for your favorite aunt may seem inexpensive compared to the big-ticket items, but these little expenditures add up.
Post-wedding purchases: Costs for wedding dress cleaning and preservation, ordering framed prints of photos, and buying souvenirs after the wedding should be included in the overall wedding budget.
Budget wedding planner
Without a solid wedding budget, your costs can quickly spiral out of control. A good wedding planner can help you create a budget and stick to it. A wedding planner costs $1,200 to $3,500 on average, but their established relationships with venues and vendors can save you money–and stress–throughout the planning process.
As you begin planning your wedding, identify your top priorities and budget for those first, allocating a larger portion of your budget to your must-haves. Then, plan the less critical items with the remaining funds. Consider these additional tips to help you save money while creating the wedding of your dreams:
Limit the guest list to close friends and family.
Host a casual rather than a formal wedding.
Plan an off-season or weekday wedding to save on the venue and catering.
Serve less expensive beer and wine or have a cash bar where guests pay for their alcohol.
Hire a friend or family member to take photos and videos.
Purchase flowers from a local farmer's market and arrange them yourself.
Keep the décor simple.
Wedding budget FAQs
How do you budget for a wedding?
Along with the suggestions from this guide, another great way to budget for a wedding is to use a wedding budget planner app. These online planning tools allow you to store vendor details, track your spending, and make adjustments as you go.
Who pays for the wedding?
Historically, the bride’s family covers expenses for the wedding, while the groom's family pays for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding day transportation. However, in modern times, many couples pay for some or all of their wedding costs.
What is wedding insurance, and is it worth it?
Wedding insurance protects you financially if your wedding is canceled or postponed due to unforeseen events like bad weather or illness. Some venues also require liability insurance to cover property damage and guest injuries. Bundling liability and cancellation coverage costs $180 to $750, but the cost is worth it if your wedding is expensive or has non-refundable deposits.
Wedding planning & budgeting tips
A wedding planner can help you set a budget and stick to it. Here are some tips for hiring a wedding planner near you:
Ask for recommendations from recently married couples.
Choose licensed or certified wedding planners affiliated with a professional wedding planning group.
Look for wedding planners with excellent reviews on Fash and Google.
Check out their portfolio to confirm their style aligns with your vision.
Look for planners with experience in the type of wedding you want.
Review and understand all contract terms before signing.
Questions to ask a wedding planner
Hiring a wedding planner can streamline the wedding planning process and ensure a stress-free celebration. Ask these important questions when interviewing potential wedding planners:
How many years have you been a wedding planner?
How many weddings have you planned in the last year?
Are you available on my chosen wedding date?
How much do you charge for your services?
What services do you include in your pricing structure?
Can you share your portfolio and testimonials from past clients?
How frequently will we meet during the planning?
What is your role on the actual wedding day?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.