Allocate your wedding budget across venue, catering, photography, flowers, music, attire, and more. Includes typical percentage ranges and practical tips to save without sacrificing quality.
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Setting the Total Budget
Determine total available funds from all sources
Add personal savings, family contributions, and any financing together. Have explicit conversations with contributing family members about whether their money comes with strings attached (guest list additions, venue preferences). Get commitments in writing or at minimum confirmed verbally with both partners present.
Calculate personal savings allocated to the wedding
Confirm family contribution amounts and conditions
Decide on any financing and set a repayment plan
Build a 5-10% contingency buffer into the budget
Unexpected costs hit every wedding: last-minute guest count changes, overtime fees, weather-related rentals, forgotten tips. A 5-10% buffer on a $30,000 budget means setting aside $1,500-$3,000 in untouchable reserve funds.
Choose a budget tracking method and update it weekly
Use a spreadsheet with columns for: category, vendor name, estimated cost, actual cost, deposit paid, balance due, and due date. Update it every time you sign a contract or make a payment. Couples who track weekly stay within 5% of budget; those who don't average 20-30% over.
Set up a shared spreadsheet with categories, estimates, actual costs, and deposits paid
Track all payments and due dates in one place
Venue and Catering (40-50% of Budget)
Allocate 40-50% of budget to venue and food combined
This is your single largest expense. An all-inclusive venue (site fee + catering + rentals) simplifies planning but limits flexibility. A raw venue is cheaper upfront but requires separate catering, rentals, and more coordination. Compare total costs, not just the site fee.
Budget for the venue rental fee or minimum spend
Some venues charge a flat rental fee ($2,000-$15,000). Others require a food-and-beverage minimum ($10,000-$50,000+) with no separate rental fee. Ask which model the venue uses and whether taxes and service charges are included in the quoted number — they often add 20-25% on top.
Budget for catering at $75-$250+ per person
Buffet service costs 15-25% less than plated service. Stations (taco bar, pasta station) feel more interactive and cost similarly to buffet. Lunch receptions cost 20-30% less than dinner. The biggest variable is alcohol: open bar adds $50-$100+ per person; beer and wine only saves 40%.
Estimate food cost per head based on service style
Decide on bar service (open, limited, beer/wine, cash bar)
Account for vendor meals (typically 8-12 at reduced rate)
Budget for rentals if the venue is not all-inclusive
Tables, chairs, linens, place settings, glassware, and a dance floor add up fast — budget $2,000-$8,000 for 100-150 guests. Get an itemized quote from the rental company and cross-reference it with what the venue provides. Overlap means wasted money.
Photography and Videography (10-15% of Budget)
Budget $3,000-$8,000 for a professional photographer
Photography is the one vendor you cannot redo. Prioritize this line item. An experienced wedding photographer charges $3,000-$8,000 for 8-10 hours of coverage, edited photos, and an online gallery. Cheaper options exist but review full wedding galleries — not just the curated portfolio — before booking.
Determine hours of coverage needed (ceremony prep through reception)
Decide if you want a second shooter (adds $500-$1,500)
Budget $2,000-$6,000 for videography (if desired)
A highlight reel (3-5 minutes) plus a full ceremony edit is the most popular package. Same-day edits shown at the reception cost extra ($500-$1,000) but are a memorable touch. Drone footage adds $300-$500 — check if your venue allows it.
Budget for a photo booth or guest camera station
Photo booth rentals run $500-$1,500 for 3-4 hours. A DIY instant-film camera station with props costs $200-$400 in supplies and doubles as a guestbook activity. Guests take one copy, leave one in an album.
Flowers, Decor, and Stationery (10-15% of Budget)
Budget $2,000-$6,000 for floral arrangements
Prioritize the bridal bouquet, 2-4 centerpiece styles, and ceremony arch or altar flowers. Bridesmaids' bouquets and boutonnieres are secondary. Greenery-heavy arrangements cost 30-50% less than bloom-heavy designs. Ask your florist which flowers are in season for your wedding month.
Bridal bouquet and bridesmaids' bouquets
Centerpieces for all guest tables
Ceremony flowers (arch, aisle, altar)
Boutonnieres and corsages
Budget $500-$2,000 for non-floral decor
Non-floral decor stretches your dollar further than flowers. Candles create ambiance at $2-$5 each vs. $50-$150 per floral centerpiece. Mismatched vintage items from thrift stores cost almost nothing and give a charming look.
Candles, lanterns, or string lights
Table numbers, signage, and place cards
Guest book and card box
Budget $500-$2,000 for invitations and stationery
A full stationery suite (save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, menus, programs, thank-you cards) runs $500-$2,000 for 100-150 guests. Digital invitations for informal weddings save $300-$500. Postage costs $0.73+ per invitation — budget $150-$250 for mailing alone.
Music, Attire, and Everything Else (20-30% of Budget)
Budget $1,000-$3,000 for a DJ or $3,000-$8,000 for a live band
A DJ is the more affordable option and offers wider song variety. A live band creates higher energy but costs 2-3x more. Either way, invest in a quality sound system — bad audio ruins the dance floor. Ask for references from recent weddings at your venue.
Budget for wedding attire and accessories
Renting a tuxedo saves 50-70% over buying. For the dress, trunk shows and sample sales offer 20-50% discounts. Off-the-rack or pre-owned gowns from consignment shops look identical in photos and cost a fraction of retail.
Wedding dress or outfit ($1,000-$5,000+)
Alterations ($300-$700)
Suit or tuxedo ($200-$1,000 rental, $500-$2,000+ purchase)
Shoes, jewelry, veil, and accessories
Budget $400-$1,500 for the wedding cake or dessert
A tiered fondant cake for 150 costs $800-$1,500. Buttercream is $100-$300 less and many people prefer the taste. A small 2-tier display cake ($200-$400) plus matching sheet cakes in the kitchen ($100-$200) serves the same number for half the price.
Budget for hair and makeup ($150-$500 per person)
Professional bridal hair and makeup costs $300-$500 for the bride. Bridesmaid hair and makeup runs $150-$250 per person. Decide early who's paying — the couple or each bridesmaid. A trial run costs an additional $100-$200 but avoids wedding-day surprises.
Budget $200-$600 for favors, welcome bags, or guest gifts
Edible favors (cookies, candy, local treats) are the most appreciated and least likely to be left behind. Skip the personalized trinkets — most end up in the trash. Welcome bags for out-of-town guests ($10-$15 each) with water, snacks, and a local guide are a thoughtful touch.
Budget for tips and gratuities ($500-$2,000 total)
Many couples forget to budget for tips until the last minute. Typical amounts: catering staff 15-20% (check if auto-gratuity is included), bartenders $50-$100 each, delivery drivers $10-$20 each, hair/makeup artists 15-20%. Put cash in labeled envelopes before the wedding week.
Budget for the marriage license ($30-$100 depending on state)
Fees vary by state and county. Some states offer a discount for completing a premarital counseling course. Both partners typically need to appear in person with valid government-issued ID. Apply 2-4 weeks before the wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a wedding in the US?
The national average wedding cost is approximately $33,000-$35,000, though this varies dramatically by region. Weddings in New York City and San Francisco average $55,000-$75,000, while those in the Midwest and South average $20,000-$28,000. About 40% of that total goes to the venue and catering alone, making location the single biggest cost driver.
What percentage of the budget should go to each wedding vendor?
A standard breakdown allocates 40-50% to venue and catering, 10-12% to photography and videography, 8-10% to flowers and decor, 8-10% to music and entertainment, 5-8% to attire and beauty, 3-5% to stationery, and 5-10% as a contingency fund. Couples who skip videography or go with a DJ over a band can reallocate 5-8% to other priorities.
How do couples pay for their wedding?
According to recent surveys, 52% of couples pay for their own wedding, 42% receive help from parents, and 6% have parents cover the full cost. The average parental contribution is $10,000-$15,000 per family. Couples typically save for 12-18 months, with some using 0% APR credit cards for large vendor deposits — though financial advisors caution against carrying wedding debt into marriage.
Where can I cut costs without guests noticing?
Three areas with the biggest invisible savings: choose in-season flowers (saves $1,000-$3,000 versus out-of-season imports), skip printed menus and programs (saves $200-$500, most get left on tables), and opt for a dessert bar instead of a tiered cake (saves $300-$800 and gives more variety). Guests consistently rate food, music, and bar quality as what they remember — not stationery or floral extravagance.
Should I get wedding insurance?
Wedding insurance costs $150-$600 and covers event cancellation, vendor no-shows, severe weather, and property damage. Liability coverage (required by many venues) adds $175-$300. Given that the average wedding costs $33,000 and vendor cancellations happen to roughly 5-8% of weddings, the cost-to-risk ratio strongly favors purchasing at least a basic policy. File claims within 14 days of the incident for fastest processing.