Wedding Budget Calculator
Plan your wedding budget with a realistic breakdown — see exactly where every dollar should go.
Wedding Details
Your Wedding Budget Breakdown
Payment Timeline
| When | What to Pay | % | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12–10 months before | Book venue, photographer, caterer (deposits) | 25% | $8,750 |
| 9–6 months before | Book DJ/band, florist, officiant, planner | 15% | $5,250 |
| 6–3 months before | Order invitations, attire, rings; finalize menu | 20% | $7,000 |
| 3–1 months before | Final payments to vendors, tipping envelopes | 30% | $10,500 |
| Week of / day of | Remaining balances, tips, unexpected costs | 10% | $3,500 |
Average Wedding Cost by Region
| Region | Average Cost | Per Guest (120 guests) |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast (NY, NJ, CT, MA) | $47,000 | $392 |
| Southeast (FL, GA, NC, SC) | $31,000 | $258 |
| Midwest (IL, OH, MI, MN) | $29,000 | $242 |
| Southwest (TX, AZ, NM, CO) | $33,000 | $275 |
| West (WA, OR, UT, MT) | $36,000 | $300 |
| Pacific (CA, HI) | $49,000 | $408 |
Monthly Saving Plan
How much to save per month to reach your $35,000 budget:
Budget-Smart Wedding Tips
- 1.Your $35,000 budget works out to about $292 per guest for 120 people.
- 2.Peak season (June–October) costs 10–20% more. Consider a Friday or Sunday wedding to save 20–30% on venue costs even during peak months.
- 3.The #1 way to reduce wedding costs: cut the guest list. Every 10 fewer guests saves $1,500–$3,000 on average (food, drinks, seating, favors).
- 4.Always keep a 5–10% contingency fund. Unexpected costs (overtime fees, weather backup plans, last-minute alterations) come up in almost every wedding.
Average wedding costs from The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study. Regional costs vary significantly by city and venue type. All figures are estimates for planning purposes.
How Much Does a Wedding Cost in 2026?
The average American wedding costs about $35,000 in 2026, but that number masks enormous variation. Weddings in the Northeast and Pacific regions average $47,000–$49,000, while Midwest and Southeast weddings average $29,000–$31,000. The single biggest factor is guest count — every additional guest adds $150–$400 depending on your venue and catering style. A 50-guest wedding at $250/head costs $12,500 for food and drink alone; a 200-guest wedding at the same rate is $50,000.
The second biggest factor is your region and venue choice. A Saturday evening wedding at a premium venue in Manhattan can cost 3–4 times more than the same quality wedding on a Friday afternoon at a barn venue in rural Pennsylvania.
Wedding Budget Breakdown — Where the Money Actually Goes
| Category | % of Budget | $35K Budget | $50K Budget | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venue & catering | 40% | $13,300 | $19,000 | Must-have |
| Photography & video | 12% | $3,990 | $5,700 | Must-have |
| Music & entertainment | 8% | $2,660 | $3,800 | Important |
| Flowers & decor | 8% | $2,660 | $3,800 | Important |
| Attire & beauty | 8% | $2,660 | $3,800 | Must-have |
| Planner / coordinator | 5% | $1,663 | $2,375 | Nice-to-have |
| Stationery | 3% | $998 | $1,425 | Nice-to-have |
| Rings | 3% | $998 | $1,425 | Must-have |
| Transportation | 3% | $998 | $1,425 | Important |
| Favors & gifts | 3% | $998 | $1,425 | Nice-to-have |
| Officiant & ceremony | 2% | $665 | $950 | Must-have |
| Contingency (5%) | 5% | $1,750 | $2,500 | Essential |
Average Wedding Cost by Region — 2026
| Region | Average Cost | Per Guest (120 guests) | Key Cost Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast (NY, NJ, CT, MA) | $47,000 | $392 | Venue and labor costs highest in U.S. |
| Pacific (CA, HI) | $49,000 | $408 | Premium venue rates; limited availability |
| West (WA, OR, UT) | $36,000 | $300 | Growing market; moderate pricing |
| Southwest (TX, AZ, CO) | $33,000 | $275 | Lower venue costs offset by travel |
| Southeast (FL, GA, NC) | $31,000 | $258 | Competitive vendor market |
| Midwest (IL, OH, MI) | $29,000 | $242 | Lower cost of living = lower vendor rates |
How to Save on Your Wedding (Without Sacrificing Quality)
| Strategy | Potential Savings | What You Give Up |
|---|---|---|
| Cut guest list by 30 | $4,500–$9,000 | Fewer attendees |
| Off-season (Dec–Mar) | 15–25% overall | Weather limitations |
| Friday or Sunday | 20–30% on venue | Some guests can't attend |
| Non-traditional venue | $2,000–$8,000 | May need more rentals |
| DJ instead of live band | $2,000–$5,000 | Different ambiance |
| In-season flowers only | $500–$2,000 | Limited floral options |
| Skip the videographer | $1,500–$4,000 | No professional video |
| Digital invitations | $300–$800 | Less formal feel |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one way to reduce wedding costs?
Cut the guest list. This is unanimously the most impactful decision because so many costs scale per person: food, drinks, seating, table settings, favors, invitations, and sometimes even venue size. A wedding for 80 guests at $300/head costs $24,000 on catering alone; the same quality for 150 guests costs $45,000. If you're budget-constrained, every 10 fewer guests saves roughly $1,500–$3,000. Consider a smaller ceremony with an intimate dinner followed by a larger, less formal after-party.
How far in advance should I start paying vendors?
Most vendors require a deposit (25–50%) at booking, with the balance due 2–4 weeks before the wedding. Start booking your venue 12–18 months ahead (especially for peak season), photographer 10–12 months ahead, and other vendors 6–9 months ahead. By 3 months out, you should have all vendors booked and most deposits paid. Keep 10% of your budget liquid for final payments, tips, and last-minute expenses in the final week.
Is a wedding planner worth the money?
A full-service wedding planner typically costs 10–15% of your total budget ($3,500–$5,000+ for a $35K wedding). They're most valuable if you have a large budget, complex logistics, or limited time to plan. A more cost-effective option is a "day-of coordinator" ($800–$2,000) who manages the wedding day logistics while you handle the planning yourself. For budget weddings under $20K, a day-of coordinator is usually sufficient.
See also: Savings Goal Calculator and 50/30/20 Budget Calculator.