The wedding budget hub
Everything that decides your number in one place: how to split the total, what each slice looks like in dollars, the costs that show up late, and the payment calendar nobody warns you about.
Three numbers before any line item
A wedding budget is really three decisions, made in this order:
- The total. What you are willing to spend, including contributions and anything you would put on credit.
- The guest count. Venue, catering, bar, rentals, stationery, and favors all scale per head. It is the single biggest lever you control.
- Your top two priorities. Pick two categories to overspend on and accept average elsewhere. Couples who try to be above average everywhere are the ones who blow the total.
Allocation table with sample budgets
These percentages hold up across most modern US weddings. The dollar columns show the same framework applied to three common totals.
| Category | % | $20k | $40k | $75k |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venue & catering | 40% | $8,000 | $16,000 | $30,000 |
| Photography & video | 12% | $2,400 | $4,800 | $9,000 |
| Attire & beauty | 8% | $1,600 | $3,200 | $6,000 |
| Flowers & décor | 8% | $1,600 | $3,200 | $6,000 |
| Music & entertainment | 8% | $1,600 | $3,200 | $6,000 |
| Stationery & signage | 3% | $600 | $1,200 | $2,250 |
| Rings | 3% | $600 | $1,200 | $2,250 |
| Transport & lodging | 3% | $600 | $1,200 | $2,250 |
| Cake & desserts | 2% | $400 | $800 | $1,500 |
| Officiant, license & fees | 2% | $400 | $800 | $1,500 |
| Gifts & favors | 2% | $400 | $800 | $1,500 |
| Buffer for the unexpected | 9% | $1,800 | $3,600 | $6,750 |
Want the reasoning behind each slice? Read the full budget breakdown guide.
Cost per guest, the honest version
Divide your venue and catering allocation by your guest count and you get the number that actually decides your wedding. On a $40,000 budget with 100 guests, that is roughly $160 per person before service charge and bar. At 140 guests the same money buys about $114 per person — a materially different wedding.
Before you cut vendors, run the list. The guest list guide covers the A/B method, plus-one policies, and how to split the list across families.
The costs that show up late
Service charge & gratuity
Often 18–25% on top of the catering subtotal, and quoted separately from the per-head price.
Vendor meals
Most contracts require a hot meal for every vendor on site — photographers, band, planner, and their assistants.
Overtime
Billed per hour, per vendor, and decided at 11pm when nobody is negotiating well.
Alterations
Two to four fittings is normal; it is rarely included in the dress or suit price.
Postage
Square, thick, or wax-sealed invitations get charged as non-machinable.
Insurance & permits
Many venues require liability coverage; outdoor and public spaces often require a permit.
Setup, strike & delivery
Rentals, florals, and lighting each carry a delivery and teardown fee.
Day-after costs
Brunch, cleanup, returns, and shipping gifts home.
Build the payment calendar
Most couples budget the total and get surprised by the timing. Deposits land as you book — typically 25–50% per vendor — and final balances cluster in the two to four weeks before the date, at exactly the moment you are also paying for alterations, welcome bags, and tips.
Write every due date next to its amount as soon as you sign. Lumière does this for you: each vendor contract you add creates the deposit and balance milestones on your planning timeline.
Wedding budget FAQ
What is a realistic wedding budget?
It depends far more on guest count and market than on style. A 100-guest wedding in a mid-size US market typically lands between $30,000 and $45,000; the same wedding in a major metro can run 40–60% higher. Cutting 20 guests usually saves more than switching every vendor.
How much of the budget should go to the venue?
About 40% once you include catering, bar, rentals, and service charges. A dry-hire venue with outside catering looks different on the invoice but usually lands in the same total range.
How much should I hold back as a buffer?
Around 9% of the total. It absorbs overtime, tips, weather backups, guest count changes, and the dozens of small purchases nobody plans for.
Who traditionally pays for what?
There is no longer a default. Most couples now fund the majority themselves with family contributing to specific categories. Agree on who is contributing, how much, and when the money is available before you sign anything.
When do wedding payments actually come due?
Deposits are due at booking (usually 25–50%), with balances due 2–4 weeks before the date. Budget the cash-flow calendar, not just the total.