Wedding budget planner
Enter your total budget and guest count. We'll split it across what you actually need — based on what US couples really spend in each category — and you can track every vendor quote against it.
- ✓ Free, no sign-up
- ✓ 2026 national averages (Zola, The Knot)
- ✓ Tracks quotes vs budget
- ✓ Print, PDF or Excel/Sheets
Our wedding budget
What you need
Untick what you'll skip — the budget is shared across the rest.
- Budget per guest
- $300
- Each extra guest adds about
- $98
- Buffer for surprises
- $1,500
- Quotes entered
- None yet
US couples spent about $34,000 on average for 117 guests ($292 per guest) in 2025. Your per-guest budget is at or above that.
- Reception$15,660
- Vendors$8,870
- Attire & beauty$3,390
- Paper & ceremony$580
| Category | Your budget | US typical | Quote / actual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue & site fees21.7% of budget | $6,170 | $6,900–$10,300 | |
| Catering17.2% of budget · $49/guest | $4,910 | $5,500–$8,300 | |
| Bar service13.8% of budget · $39/guest | $3,930 | $4,400–$6,600 | |
| Cake & desserts2.3% of budget · $7/guest | $650 | $700–$1,100 | |
| Flowers & décor16% of budget | $4,570 | $5,100–$7,600 | |
| Photography11.1% of budget | $3,170 | $3,500–$5,300 | |
| Music & entertainment4% of budget | $1,130 | $1,300–$1,900 | |
| Wedding dress5.1% of budget | $1,440 | $1,500–$2,500 | |
| Suit or tux0.6% of budget | $160 | $150–$300 | |
| Hair & makeup2.5% of budget | $710 | $800–$1,200 | |
| Wedding rings3.8% of budget | $1,080 | avg $1,500 | |
| Invitations & stationery1.2% of budget · $4/guest | $350 | $400–$600 | |
| Officiant0.8% of budget | $230 | $200–$450 | |
| Buffer for surprises | $1,500 | ||
| Total | $30,000 |
Saved automatically in this browser only. Typical ranges: Zola Wedding Cost Index 2026 (national averages; big cities cost more).
Average wedding cost by category (2026)
National averages and typical ranges from Zola's 2026 Wedding Cost Index. The overall average wedding cost was $36,000 (Zola) to $34,000 (The Knot) — lower than the sum of all categories below because most couples skip some of them.
| Category | Average | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Venue & site fees | $8,573 | $6,900 – $10,300 |
| Catering | $6,927 | $5,500 – $8,300 |
| Flowers & décor | $6,345 | $5,100 – $7,600 |
| Bar service | $5,542 | $4,400 – $6,600 |
| Photography | $4,400 | $3,500 – $5,300 |
| Wedding planner | $4,047 | $3,200 – $4,900 |
| Videography | $3,993 | $3,200 – $4,800 |
| Wedding dress | $2,000 | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Music & entertainment | $1,567 | $1,300 – $1,900 |
| Wedding rings | $1,500 | — |
| Hair & makeup | $982 | $800 – $1,200 |
| Cake & desserts | $917 | $700 – $1,100 |
| Dress alterations | $550 | $300 – $800 |
| Invitations & stationery | $500 | $400 – $600 |
| Officiant | $325 | $200 – $450 |
| Suit or tux | $225 | $150 – $300 |
Sample wedding budgets: $10,000 to $50,000
How our planner splits common budgets (5% held back for surprises). Smaller budgets skip a planner and videographer; the $10,000 example also skips a bar.
| Category | $10,000 50 guests | $20,000 80 guests | $30,000 100 guests | $50,000 150 guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venue & site fees | $2,530 | $4,190 | $5,520 | $7,750 |
| Catering | $1,540 | $3,160 | $4,610 | $8,380 |
| Bar service | skip | $2,530 | $3,690 | $6,710 |
| Flowers & décor | $1,870 | $3,100 | $4,080 | $5,740 |
| Photography | $1,300 | $2,150 | $2,830 | $3,980 |
| Videography | skip | skip | $2,570 | $3,610 |
| Wedding planner | skip | skip | skip | $3,660 |
| Music & entertainment | $460 | $770 | $1,010 | $1,420 |
| Wedding dress | $590 | $980 | $1,290 | $1,810 |
| Everything else | $1,210 | $2,130 | $2,890 | $4,450 |
| Per guest | $200 | $250 | $300 | $333 |
Where to save without it showing
- Guest count first. Catering, bar, cake and invitations all scale with every guest — the planner shows what one more guest costs you.
- Date and day. Off-season months and Friday or Sunday weddings often cost less at the same venue.
- All-inclusive venues that bundle catering, tables and linens can beat booking each separately.
- A limited bar (beer, wine and a signature drink) instead of a full open bar.
- Spend on what you'll remember — for many couples that's photography — and go simple elsewhere.
Saving up for it? See how long it takes with our savings calculator, and plan the rest of your month with the budget tools.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a wedding in 2026?+
About $34,000 for weddings in 2025 according to The Knot's 2026 Real Weddings Study (10,474 couples, 117 guests on average), and $36,000 according to Zola. Costs vary a lot by city and guest count.
How much does a wedding cost per guest?+
About $292 per guest on average (The Knot, 2025 weddings). Guest count is the biggest lever: catering, bar, cake and invitations all grow with every guest.
How should I split my wedding budget?+
Reception costs — venue, catering and bar — usually take the biggest share, often around half of the total. Flowers and décor, photography and video come next. Our planner splits your budget across the categories you need in proportion to what couples spend nationally, then lets you track real quotes.
How much should I set aside for unexpected costs?+
Many planners suggest holding back 5–10% for tips, overtime, last-minute rentals and other surprises. The planner lets you pick a buffer.
How can I cut wedding costs?+
Trim the guest list first, then consider an off-season date or a Friday or Sunday, a venue that includes catering or rentals, a limited bar (beer and wine), and fewer printed items. Put your money where it matters most to you and go simple elsewhere.
Sources: Zola Wedding Cost Index 2026; The Knot 2026 Real Weddings Study (10,474 couples married in 2025). National averages; your city and vendors will differ.