$30,000 Budget

How to Plan a $30,000 Wedding

Near National Average: Premium venues, experienced vendors, and your vision without major compromises

By WeddingBudgetCalc Team · Last updated January 6, 2026

$30,000
120-160 guestsPremium Experience

Written by the WeddingBudgetCalc Editorial Team · Last updated January 07, 2026

Our team combines wedding planning expertise with financial analysis. Data sourced from The Knot, Zola, and vendor surveys across 50 states.

The National Average Wedding

At $30,000, you're spending right around what the average American couple spends on their wedding. But don't let "average" fool you—this budget delivers an above-average experience. Premium venues in your market, experienced vendors with proven track records, upgraded everything.

The conversation at $30,000 shifts from "what do we cut?" to "how do we personalize?" You're not making painful compromises; you're making preference-based decisions about where to invest your vision. Live band vs. DJ? Plated vs. family style? Destination vs. local? These become real choices rather than financial impossibilities.

At this tier, 120-160 guests is comfortable. Extended family, college friends, work colleagues—you can invite your actual community without painful culling. Catering upgrades from "good" to "memorable." Photography moves from "solid" to "stunning." Flowers stop being an afterthought and become a design element.

Most couples at the $30,000 tier can execute their Pinterest vision without major modifications. The florist who created that installation you saved? You can probably book them. That photographer whose work made you tear up? They're in range. The venue that took your breath away? Saturday availability is possible.

This guide breaks down exactly how to allocate $30,000, what quality each category delivers, and how one couple brought their vision to life at this price point.

$30,000 Budget Breakdown

CategoryAmountPercentage
Venue$6,50022%
Catering & Bar$8,50028%
Photography$3,50012%
Videography$2,0007%
Attire$1,5005%
Flowers & Decor$2,0007%
Music & Entertainment$1,5005%
Officiant$4001%
Cake & Dessert$6002%
Invitations$4001%
Hair & Makeup$6002%
Rings$1,2004%
Miscellaneous$1,3004%
Total$30,000100%
Real Wedding Story

Sofia & Thomas's $29,500 Historic Estate Wedding

135 guests · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · June 2025

Sofia had always dreamed of getting married in a historic mansion surrounded by gardens. Thomas wanted excellent food and a packed dance floor. At $30,000, they got both.

They booked a historic estate in suburban Philadelphia for $7,200—it included the ceremony lawn, cocktail terrace, ballroom reception, and getting-ready suites. "It felt like a destination wedding 20 minutes from home," Sofia says.

Food was their secret weapon. Rather than traditional catering, they hired a chef who specialized in seasonal farm-to-table menus. At $60 per person including cocktail hour and open bar, their 135-guest dinner cost $8,100—but the quality rivaled restaurants they'd pay $100/plate at.

Photography and videography came as a package from a husband-wife team: $4,800 for both, including two photographers, one videographer, engagement session, and a same-day edit they showed during reception. "Seeing our ceremony footage while dancing was the highlight of the night."

Florals told a story of abundance: lush centerpieces on every table, a flower-heavy ceremony arch, and a 12-foot greenery installation behind the head table. Total: $2,400 from a florist who worked primarily with premium blooms.

Their Final Budget

  • Venue (historic estate)$7,200
  • Catering + bar (135 guests)$8,100
  • Photo + video package$4,800
  • Florals + decor$2,400
  • DJ + lighting upgrades$1,600
  • Dress + accessories$1,400
  • Groom attire$550
  • Cake$580
  • Invitations$420
  • Hair + makeup (bride + party)$680
  • Officiant$350
  • Rings$1,420
  • Total$29,500

"We had everything on our original list. Not a single thing got cut for budget reasons. That felt like winning."

Common $30,000 Wedding Mistakes to Avoid

Overspending on Venue and Underbudgeting Food

A stunning venue means nothing if guests remember mediocre food. At $30,000, venue and catering should be balanced - don't let a $9,000 venue leave you with $40/person for food. Aim for $6,500-7,500 venue, $8,000-9,000 food.

Skipping the Day-of Coordinator

At $30,000, a day-of coordinator ($800-1,500) is worth every penny. You've invested too much to spend your wedding day managing vendor arrivals and timeline logistics. This is the tier where coordination becomes essential.

Not Getting Multiple Quotes

At this budget level, the same service can range widely. Photography might be $2,500 from one professional and $4,500 from another with similar quality. Always get 3-4 quotes and negotiate - vendors expect it at this tier.

Ignoring Hidden Venue Costs

That $6,000 venue might become $9,000 with required catering minimums, cake cutting fees, corkage, service charges, and mandatory valet. Always ask for a complete cost breakdown before signing.

Treating Every Category as Premium

Even at $30,000, you can't max out every category. Choose 2-3 areas to go premium (usually venue, photography, and food) and be strategic elsewhere. Premium invitations and favors rarely impact guest experience.

Forgetting Gratuities and Final Payments

Budget 15-20% of vendor costs for gratuities, plus taxes on everything. A $30,000 wedding often becomes $33,000-35,000 with tips, taxes, and last-minute additions. Build in a $2,000-3,000 buffer.

What $30,000 Gets You by Region

At the national average, regional differences become pronounced. Here's what to expect:

Region $30K Buys... Guest Count Key Insight
Northeast (NYC, Boston) Saturday wedding, mid-tier venue, quality vendors, buffet 80-110 guests Consider NJ/CT venues for 30% savings
West Coast (LA, SF) Premium vineyard, plated dinner, full vendor team 100-130 guests Look to Central Coast or inland venues
Midwest (Chicago, Minneapolis) Top-tier venue, plated dinner, premium everything 140-180 guests Best value region - maximize the experience
South (Atlanta, Nashville, Texas) Estate/mansion venue, full catering, all vendors 130-160 guests Strong vendor market with competitive pricing
Southwest (Phoenix, Denver) Resort wedding, full open bar, complete team 120-150 guests Mountain venues command premiums
Pacific Northwest Winery/forest venue, farm-to-table, quality vendors 110-140 guests Shoulder season offers major savings

$30,000 Wedding Planning Timeline

With premium vendors and popular venues, earlier booking is essential. Here's your 12-14 month plan:

12-14 Months

Secure Major Bookings

Lock in venue, photographer, and videographer first - premium options book 12+ months out for Saturday dates. Set your $30,000 budget with 10% contingency buffer.

9-11 Months

Core Vendor Team

Book caterer, DJ/band, florist, and day-of coordinator. Start dress shopping at bridal boutiques. Engage with planner if using one. Send save-the-dates.

6-8 Months

Design & Details

Finalize floral designs and decor concepts. Order invitations. Book hair and makeup team. Finalize ceremony music and officiant details. Complete engagement photos.

3-5 Months

Refinement Phase

Send invitations. Menu tastings and finalizations. Dress fittings. Book rehearsal dinner venue. Finalize honeymoon plans. Order wedding bands.

1-2 Months

Final Preparations

Confirm all vendors with detailed timelines. Final headcount to caterer. Complete seating charts. Marriage license. Final dress fitting. Prepare vendor payments and tips.

Week Of

Wedding Week

Final venue walkthrough. Confirm arrival times with all vendors. Delegate responsibilities. Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Relax - your planning is complete!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is $30,000 the average wedding cost?

$30,000 is very close to the national average, which ranges from $28,000-35,000 depending on the source and year. At this budget, you're in the mainstream of American weddings—not budget, not luxury, but solidly "normal" in the best sense. Most of your guests have likely attended weddings in this price range.

What can I get with a $30,000 wedding budget?

At $30,000, you can have 120-160 guests, premium venues that don't require compromise, experienced vendors at the top of their field, plated dinner service with quality proteins, full open bar with craft cocktails, beautiful florals that make a statement, and professional everything. Most couples can execute their vision without painful cuts.

How many guests fit a $30,000 budget?

A $30,000 budget comfortably supports 120-160 guests. At 140 guests, you have about $214 per person—plenty for premium quality across all categories. Even at 160 guests ($188/person), you can deliver an excellent experience with strategic planning.

Is $30,000 too much to spend on a wedding?

Whether $30,000 is "too much" depends entirely on your financial situation. General guidelines suggest wedding spending shouldn't exceed 10% of your combined annual income, and you shouldn't go into debt for a wedding. If you've saved specifically for this and can afford it without financial stress, it's a reasonable investment in a meaningful life event.

What's the difference between $25,000 and $30,000 weddings?

The extra $5,000 shows up in noticeable ways: premium venue locations (the "best" venue in your area vs a "good" one), top-tier photographers with extensive portfolios and recognition, plated dinner as default rather than buffet, fuller floral installations with more premium blooms, and more room for personalization and upgrades throughout.

Should I hire a wedding planner at $30,000?

At minimum, hire a day-of coordinator ($800-1,500). For a full wedding planner ($2,500-4,000), it depends on your time and stress tolerance. A planner can save you money through vendor relationships and negotiation, often paying for themselves. Many couples at this tier find coordination invaluable but handle planning themselves.

What photography budget is realistic at $30,000?

Budget $3,000-4,500 for photography at this tier. This gets you experienced photographers with full-day coverage, second shooter, engagement session, and online gallery. At the higher end, you can access award-winning photographers or those with extensive publication credits.

Can I have a live band instead of a DJ?

Yes, live bands become realistic at $30,000. Budget $2,500-4,000 for a quality 4-6 piece band. Many couples opt for a DJ for cocktails/dinner and band for dancing, or vice versa. A DJ alone at this tier runs $1,200-1,800 with lighting upgrades included.

How much should florals cost at $30,000?

Budget $1,800-2,500 for florals. This includes bridal bouquet, 4-6 bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnieres, ceremony arrangements, and 10-15 centerpieces with real flowers (not just greenery). For a more dramatic look with ceremony arch and statement installations, budget closer to $3,000-3,500.

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