Wedding ceremony setup with elegant decorations

Why Wedding Planning Tools Matter

Planning a wedding is both exciting and overwhelming. With the average American wedding costing $33,000 and 85% of couples exceeding their original budget, having the right tools at your disposal isn't just helpful—it's essential for keeping your finances on track while still creating your dream celebration.

Wedding planning involves hundreds of decisions, from big choices like venue and catering to smaller details like how much alcohol to buy or how much to tip your vendors. Each decision has financial implications, and small miscalculations can quickly add up to thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses.

That's where our free wedding calculators come in. We've built a comprehensive suite of planning tools designed to take the guesswork out of wedding budgeting:

Whether you're just starting to plan your wedding or you're deep in the details, our calculators help you make informed decisions at every step. From allocating your overall budget across categories to figuring out exactly how many bottles of wine you need for your reception, we've got you covered.

Budget Calculators

Plan and allocate your wedding budget with precision

Calculator and budget planning materials

Wedding Budget Calculator

The essential starting point for wedding planning. Enter your total budget and our calculator automatically allocates funds across all major wedding categories using industry-standard percentages. Customize any category to match your priorities—whether you want to splurge on photography or save on flowers.

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Outdoor wedding venue in beautiful location

Wedding Cost by State

Wedding costs vary dramatically by location. A wedding in New Jersey costs nearly triple what it would in Utah. Our state-by-state calculator shows you average costs in your state, broken down by category, so you can set realistic expectations and compare to the national average.

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Wedding guests celebrating at reception

Guest List & Cost Per Guest Calculator

Your guest count is the biggest driver of wedding costs. This calculator shows you exactly how each additional guest affects your budget, from catering costs to venue requirements. See the true cost per guest and make informed decisions about your invite list.

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Reception Calculators

Plan your reception down to the last detail

Champagne glasses at wedding celebration

Wedding Alcohol Calculator

Running out of drinks at your wedding is a nightmare. Running way over on your bar budget is another. Our alcohol calculator finds the sweet spot, telling you exactly how many bottles of wine, cases of beer, and bottles of liquor you need based on your guest count, reception length, and drinking preferences.

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Elegant wedding table settings

Wedding Seating Calculator

Wondering how many tables you need or what size venue to book? Enter your guest count and table preferences to get exact numbers for round tables, rectangular tables, and the total square footage required. Never book a venue too small (or too large) again.

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Elegant wedding dinner service

Wedding Catering Calculator

Catering typically accounts for 30-40% of your wedding budget. Our catering calculator estimates costs based on your guest count, meal style (buffet, plated, or stations), and price tier. Get realistic estimates for your area and meal preferences.

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Vendor & Invitation Calculators

Handle the details that matter

Cash tips and thank you cards

Wedding Tip Calculator

Vendor tipping is one of the most confusing parts of wedding planning. Who do you tip? How much? Our tip calculator covers all wedding vendors—caterers, bartenders, photographers, DJs, coordinators, hair and makeup artists, and more—with recommended amounts based on your vendor costs.

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Wedding invitation and bouquet

Wedding Invitation Calculator

You don't need one invitation per guest—couples and families share invitations. Our calculator determines exactly how many invitations to order based on your guest list composition, plus recommended extras for mistakes, keepsakes, and last-minute additions.

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Wedding photographer at work

Photography Hours Calculator

Photographers charge by the hour, but how many hours do you actually need? This calculator walks through each phase of your wedding day—getting ready, first look, ceremony, cocktail hour, reception—to determine the ideal photography coverage for your timeline.

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How to Use Our Wedding Planning Tools

1

Start with Your Budget

Begin with our Wedding Budget Calculator to establish your total budget and see how funds should be allocated across categories. This gives you a realistic framework before diving into specifics.

2

Determine Your Guest Count

Use the Guest List Calculator to understand how your invite list affects costs. Remember that each guest typically adds $150-300 to your total budget through food, drinks, and other per-person costs.

3

Plan Reception Details

With your guest count set, use our reception calculators for alcohol, seating, and catering. These tools help you order the right quantities and avoid waste or shortages.

4

Don't Forget the Details

Use our tip calculator before your wedding day so you have cash envelopes ready. Use the invitation calculator when ordering stationery. These details are easy to overlook but important to get right.

5

Compare to Local Averages

Use our Cost by State calculator to see how your plans compare to local averages. This helps you identify areas where you might be overspending or where you have room to splurge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our calculators are based on real wedding industry data from sources like The Knot, Zola, and analysis of thousands of actual weddings. We update our data annually to reflect current market conditions and pricing trends. That said, costs can vary significantly by location and vendor, so use our numbers as informed starting points rather than exact guarantees.
No, all our wedding planning calculators are completely free and require no signup, registration, or account creation. Simply visit any calculator page and start using it immediately. We don't collect your email address or any personal information—your privacy matters to us.
Our alcohol calculator uses industry-standard formulas based on guest count, reception duration, and drinking preferences. Light drinkers average 0.5 drinks per hour, moderate drinkers 1 drink per hour, and heavy drinkers 1.5 drinks per hour. We then distribute across beer (30%), wine (60%), and liquor (10%) based on typical preferences, adjusting if you're doing beer and wine only. We also recommend ordering 10-15% extra as a buffer.
The national average wedding cost in 2026 is approximately $33,000. However, this varies significantly by location—weddings in New Jersey average $54,400, while states like Utah average around $18,000. Your actual budget will also depend on guest count, venue type, and personal priorities. Use our Cost by State calculator to see averages specific to your area.
Guest count depends on your budget, venue capacity, and personal preferences. The average wedding has 130-150 guests, but intimate weddings (under 50) and large weddings (200+) are both common. Keep in mind that each guest adds $150-300 to your total cost through food, drinks, favors, and seating. Use our guest list calculator to see exactly how different counts affect your specific budget.
Tipping varies by vendor type. Catering staff typically receive 15-20% of the food and beverage bill (split among the team), bartenders $20-50 each, DJs and bands $50-150, photographers $50-200, wedding coordinators $50-100, hair and makeup artists 15-20%, and delivery drivers 15-20%. Our tip calculator provides personalized recommendations based on your actual vendor costs. Note that business owners typically aren't tipped, and some contracts already include gratuity—always check first.

Planning Guides

Ultimate Wedding Budget Guide 2026

Comprehensive guide to planning your wedding budget from start to finish

Wedding Budget Breakdown

Detailed breakdown of wedding costs by category with percentages

Wedding Costs by Location

Current wedding costs by state, city, and guest count