Wedding Budget Calculator
Turn a total wedding budget into a realistic breakdown by category and a cost per guest — benchmarked to the ~$33,000 U.S. average.
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Learn moreWhere wedding money goes
The average U.S. wedding runs about $33,000, with roughly half going to the venue and catering. A useful planning move is to work backward from a total and a guest count: the biggest lever on cost is almost always the number of guests, since venue, catering and rentals all scale with it. The allocations here follow typical industry breakdowns.
How it’s calculated & sources
Cost per guest = budget ÷ guests. Category figures apply typical shares: venue & catering ~48%, photo/video ~11%, flowers/decor ~8%, with the rest across attire, music, cake, stationery and rings. Compared to the ~$33k national average.
Benchmark: average U.S. wedding cost ~$33,000 and ~$250–300 per guest (The Knot Real Weddings Study, 2024).
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not personalized advice. Verify with a professional.
Worked example
A $30,000 budget for 100 guests is about $300 per guest, with roughly $14,400 for venue and catering — just under the ~$33k national average.
Frequently asked questions
Why is cost per guest so important?
Because catering, rentals, and venue minimums scale with headcount. Trimming the guest list is the fastest way to cut a wedding budget.
Are these percentages fixed?
No — they are typical starting points. Shift money between categories to match your priorities.
Does this include the ring or honeymoon?
The category splits cover the wedding itself. Engagement rings and honeymoons are usually budgeted separately.