The average American wedding costs around $35,000. That's a down payment on a house. But here's the thing — "average" is misleading. You can have a beautiful wedding for $10,000 or spend $100,000+. What matters is setting a budget that makes sense for your financial situation.
This guide will help you figure out what you can afford, where the money actually goes, and where to cut costs without anyone noticing.
Step 1: Figure Out Your Total Budget
Before you look at a single venue, answer these questions:
How much do you have saved? This is the most important number. Don't go into debt for a wedding if you can avoid it.
Are family members contributing? Have honest conversations early. Get specific numbers, not vague promises. "We'll help out" isn't a budget line item.
How long is your engagement? If you have 18+ months, you can save aggressively. At $500/month saved, that's $9,000 over 18 months.
💡 The CalcDrop Rule
Never spend more than you can pay in cash. If your total budget is $20,000, that's your hard cap. Going $5,000 over "because the photographer was amazing" starts a chain reaction that can double your original budget.
Step 2: Know Where the Money Goes
Here's a typical budget breakdown by percentage:
Venue & Catering: 40-50% ($14,000-$17,500 on a $35K budget)
Photography/Videography: 10-12% ($3,500-$4,200)
Flowers & Decor: 8-10% ($2,800-$3,500)
Music/Entertainment: 6-8% ($2,100-$2,800)
Attire & Beauty: 5-8% ($1,750-$2,800)
Invitations & Paper: 2-3% ($700-$1,050)
Transportation: 2-3% ($700-$1,050)
Rings: 3-5% ($1,050-$1,750)
Contingency Fund: 5-10% ($1,750-$3,500)
The venue and catering eat nearly half your budget. This is the #1 place to save or splurge, and it sets the tone for everything else.
Step 3: Guest Count Drives Everything
This is the single biggest factor in your wedding cost. Every guest adds $100-$300 to your total (food, drink, seating, favors, invitations).
The math is brutal. Going from 100 guests to 150 adds $5,000-$15,000. Going from 150 to 200 adds another $5,000-$15,000.
If you're trying to save money, the guest list is where you start. A 50-person wedding with great food and an amazing photographer will feel more special than a 200-person wedding where you cut corners everywhere.
Where to Save Without Anyone Noticing
Venue timing. Friday and Sunday weddings cost 20-40% less than Saturday. Off-season (November-March, excluding holidays) saves another 15-30%.
Flowers. Use in-season flowers, greenery-heavy arrangements, and candles. Nobody remembers the specific flowers — they remember the atmosphere. Bulk wholesale flowers from online sources can cut this category by 60%.
Invitations. Digital invitations or budget print services look great and save $500-$1,500 over custom letterpress.
Cake. A small cutting cake for photos plus sheet cakes in the kitchen for serving is a classic cost-saving move. Saves $300-$800.
Bar strategy. Beer and wine only (skip the full open bar) saves $1,000-$3,000. Or do a limited cocktail menu with 2-3 signature drinks.
Where Not to Cut Corners
Photography. Photos are the only thing you keep forever. A skilled photographer is worth the investment — they capture moments you can't recreate.
Food quality. Guests remember two things: how they felt and what they ate. Mediocre food at a beautiful venue leaves a worse impression than great food in a simple space.
Your outfit. You'll look at these photos for decades. Invest in something that makes you feel great and fits properly.
Hidden Costs Most Couples Miss
Gratuities: Tips for vendors (photographer, DJ, caterers, drivers) add 10-20% to service costs. Budget $500-$1,500.
Alterations: Wedding dress alterations run $200-$800. Suit tailoring adds $100-$300.
Marriage license: $30-$100 depending on your state.
Overtime fees: If your reception runs past the venue's cutoff time, overtime charges can be $500-$1,500/hour.
Post-wedding costs: Thank you cards, dress preservation ($200-$400), and final vendor payments you might have forgotten.
Build Your Wedding Budget
Use our wedding budget calculator to build a personalized budget based on your total amount and priorities. It breaks down every category and helps you allocate funds where they matter most to you.
Wedding Budget Calculator
Get a personalized budget breakdown with category-by-category allocations.
More Useful Tools
Savings Goal
Plan how much to save each month for your wedding.
Plan Savings →Party Food Calculator
Figure out how much food to order for your guest count.
Calculate →Debt Payoff
Pay off any wedding debt as fast as possible.
Make Plan →The Bottom Line
A wedding is one day. A marriage is the rest of your life. Set a budget you can afford, prioritize what matters most to you as a couple, and don't let the wedding industry convince you that spending more equals a better marriage. Some of the happiest couples had the smallest weddings.