From intimate $5K celebrations to $50K luxury weddings - see exactly where your money goes and what's realistically possible
Your wedding budget isn't just a number—it shapes every decision you'll make, from the venue you book to the vendors you hire. But here's what the wedding industry doesn't always tell you: there's no "right" budget. A $5,000 backyard celebration can be just as beautiful and meaningful as a $50,000 ballroom affair.
What matters is understanding what your budget can realistically provide—and making intentional choices about where to invest and where to save. That's exactly what these guides are for.
We've created detailed breakdowns for eight common wedding budget tiers, from $5,000 to $50,000. Each guide shows you:
Whether you're working with a modest budget and need creative solutions, or you have more to spend and want to invest wisely, these guides give you the realistic expectations and practical advice you need.
The key insight? Every budget tier involves tradeoffs. At $5,000, you're trading vendor convenience for DIY effort. At $50,000, you're trading cost for premium experiences. Neither is better—it's about what works for YOUR priorities, YOUR guest list, and YOUR vision.
Before diving into the specific tiers, we recommend using our Wedding Budget Calculator to see a personalized breakdown based on your total budget. Then explore the tier closest to your number for detailed guidance.
At this budget, creativity replaces spending. Think backyard ceremonies, potluck receptions, borrowed decor, and one professional vendor (usually a photographer). This tier works beautifully for couples who value intimacy over scale and don't mind rolling up their sleeves.
You can now afford professional help—but you choose carefully. Expect Friday or Sunday weddings at nicer venues, a photographer AND a DJ (but probably not videography), and buffet-style catering. This is where "budget wedding" starts feeling like a "real wedding."
The sweet spot for many couples. Saturday weddings become possible at mid-tier venues. You can have most traditional wedding elements without constant compromise: professional photo/video, full catering, real florals, open bar.
All the bases covered with quality vendors. This budget supports photography, videography, DJ, full floral, and a cocktail hour with open bar. You're not making painful cuts—you're making strategic choices.
Breathing room enters the equation. You can hire your first-choice vendors more often, upgrade the dinner menu, and stop constantly checking prices. The planning process becomes notably less stressful.
Despite being called "average," this budget provides an above-average experience. Premium venues, experienced vendors, upgraded everything. Most couples at this tier can have their vision without major compromises.
Noticeably elevated. Top-tier venues in your market, award-winning photographers, live music options, luxury transportation. Your guests will notice the difference in quality.
Nearly everything you want, without waste. First-choice everything, premium upgrades standard, minimal DIY required. The conversation shifts from "what do we cut?" to "what do we want?"
Click any budget tier for a complete breakdown with specific allocations, venue ideas, sample weddings, and money-saving tips.
Before dreaming about what you want, ground yourself in reality. What savings do you have? What can you contribute monthly before the wedding? Are family members contributing—and if so, do those contributions come with expectations? Be honest about your starting point.
Guest count is the single biggest budget driver. At $150-200 per guest (a reasonable national average), the math is unforgiving:
50 guests = $7,500-10,000 in per-person costs
100 guests = $15,000-20,000
150 guests = $22,500-30,000
Before setting a budget, decide: is a large guest list non-negotiable, or would you sacrifice numbers for nicer everything-else?
Weddings in New Jersey cost nearly triple Utah weddings. A $30,000 budget in Dallas goes much further than in Manhattan. Use our Cost by State Calculator to understand your local market before setting expectations.
Every couple has them. Maybe photography is sacred because you want heirloom images. Maybe live music matters because you're both musicians. Maybe food is paramount because you're foodies. Identify 2-3 non-negotiables and protect them. Everything else becomes negotiable.
Lower budgets require more DIY. Are you actually going to hand-letter 150 envelopes? Will your uncle really come through with that playlist? Be realistic about your time, skills, and stress tolerance before committing to DIY solutions.
Whatever budget you set, add 10-15% as a buffer. Unexpected costs appear constantly: dress alterations, vendor tips, last-minute additions. The buffer separates stressed couples from calm ones. It's not extra—it's essential.
National averages range from $28,000-35,000 depending on the source. But "average" is misleading—it's heavily skewed by high-budget weddings in expensive markets. The median (what most couples actually spend) is closer to $20,000-25,000. Your ideal budget depends on your location, guest count, and priorities—not a national average.
Absolutely. A $10,000 wedding requires creativity and compromise, but many beautiful weddings happen at this budget. The keys are: smaller guest list (40-75), off-peak timing (Friday or Sunday, winter months), DIY decor, and prioritizing 2-3 professional vendors (usually photographer and DJ). You'll skip videography and elaborate florals, but the day can be just as meaningful.
The categories that typically deserve the largest allocations are venue (20-25%), catering (25-30%), and photography (10-15%). These three often consume 55-70% of the total budget. However, your priorities might differ—if photography doesn't matter to you, shift that money to music or flowers. There's no universal "right" allocation.
Track every expense from day one, not just big ones—small purchases add up quickly. Use our Budget Calculator to set category limits before you start shopping. Before any purchase, ask: "Is this worth cutting somewhere else?" Build in a 10-15% buffer for unexpected costs. And pay for things fully rather than putting on credit—debt is a terrible way to start a marriage.
Enter your total budget and see exactly how to allocate funds across every wedding category, customized to your priorities.