Wedding Budget Calculator — Realistic Breakdown
Quick answer: Enter total budget, guest count, region, and style. See per-guest cost and category breakdown.
Calculate your wedding budget allocation across all standard categories — venue, catering, photo, attire, flowers, music, and more. Compares your total to regional and style-specific averages so you know if you're budgeting realistically.
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Last reviewed: April 2026Report an error
Tight but workable
$300 per guest
Region average: $33,000. Your style typical: $33,000. Your budget: $30,000 (91% of style typical).
| Category | % of Total | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Venue & Catering | 45% | $13,500 |
| Photography & Video | 12% | $3,600 |
| Attire | 8% | $2,400 |
| Flowers & Decor | 8% | $2,400 |
| Music / Entertainment | 7% | $2,100 |
| Stationery | 3% | $900 |
| Cake / Dessert | 2% | $600 |
| Rings | 3% | $900 |
| Officiant & Ceremony | 2% | $600 |
| Buffer (10%) | 10% | $3,000 |
Standard Budget Allocation
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How to Use This Wedding Budget Calculator
- 1Enter your total wedding budget.
- 2Enter expected guest count.
- 3Pick your region (low/mid/high cost).
- 4Pick your style (simple/standard/lavish).
- 5Read per-guest cost and category breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
- US average is ~$33,000 (Knot 2024 data). Range varies hugely: $10k-$15k for small weddings, $50k+ for typical NYC/SF weddings, $100k+ for lavish events. Per-guest is the most useful metric.
- About 45-50% of total budget. This is the biggest line item by far. Reducing guest count is the single biggest cost lever.
- It's subjective, but photography is the only thing that lasts. Industry standard is ~12% of budget. Cutting photography to save money is a common regret.
- 10% minimum. Tipping vendors, last-minute additions (alcohol overage, extra rentals) — all can blow a tight budget.
- Yes — small ceremony (under 30 guests), restaurant or backyard, friend-photographer, simple flowers, non-traditional outfit. The expensive parts of weddings are mostly conventions you can opt out of.
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