Wedding Budget Calculator
Plan your wedding budget by category.
Enter your total budget and guest count for a recommended breakdown across venue, catering, photography, and flowers.
Wedding Budget Planning
The average US wedding costs between $25,000 and $35,000, but weddings can range from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands depending on location, guest count, and priorities. Understanding how to allocate your total budget across categories is the starting point for any wedding plan.
Industry-standard budget allocation:
| Category | Typical % of Budget |
|---|---|
| Venue | 28–35% |
| Catering and bar | 25–35% |
| Photography and video | 10–12% |
| Music and entertainment | 5–8% |
| Flowers and decor | 7–10% |
| Wedding attire | 5–8% |
| Stationery and favors | 2–3% |
| Transportation | 2–3% |
| Officiant and ceremony | 1–2% |
| Emergency buffer | 5–10% |
The guest count drives most costs: Venue capacity, catering (the single largest variable cost), seating, invitations, favors, and cake portions all scale directly with headcount. Reducing the guest list is the most effective way to cut costs.
What inflates the average:
- Location: New York, San Francisco, and Honolulu weddings cost 2–3x the national average
- Day of week: Saturday evenings command the highest venue premiums
- Season: peak season (May–October) venues charge 20–40% more
- Open bar: can add $40–$100 per guest
What to prioritize: Spend most on what you will notice and remember most. For most couples that means: venue atmosphere, food quality, and photography. These have the most lasting impact on the experience.
Budget buffer: Always reserve 5–10% as a buffer. Nearly every wedding encounters unexpected costs — overtime fees, vendor upgrades, tips, or last-minute additions.