💒 Wedding Budget Calculator
Weddings have a way of swallowing budgets: the average couple overspends by 20 percent or more, mostly because costs were never allocated up front. A category breakdown turns one scary number into manageable pieces.
Enter your total budget and this calculator splits it across the standard wedding categories — venue, catering, photography, attire, flowers, music and a contingency cushion — using industry-standard percentages you can adjust to your priorities.
How to use this calculator
Type your total wedding budget and instantly see how much to allocate to each category, from venue to contingency.
- Enter your total wedding budget.
- Review the per-category amounts.
- Shift percentages mentally toward what matters most to you.
How Much Should You Spend on a Wedding?
Financial planners suggest keeping wedding spending under 10 to 15 percent of your annual household income, or an amount you can pay off within a year — starting married life in debt is a rough beginning. The classic split puts 40 percent toward venue and rentals and 25 percent toward catering, since those two dominate most budgets. Always reserve a 5 percent contingency: something always costs more than quoted, from alterations to overtime fees. Our calculator applies these benchmarks to whatever total you enter.
Frequently asked questions
What is a realistic wedding budget?
In the US the median is around $30,000, but beautiful weddings happen at $10,000 and below with smart priorities. Set a number you can afford without debt.
What is the biggest wedding expense?
Venue and catering together — typically 60-65% of the budget. Lock these first since they set the date and headcount for everything else.
How much should I budget for wedding photography?
About 10% of the total, roughly $2,000-$4,000 for full-day coverage. Photos are the one thing that lasts, so couples rarely regret spending here.
Should I have a contingency in my wedding budget?
Absolutely — reserve 5%. Alterations, overtime, gratuities and last-minute rentals ambush nearly every couple.
How can I cut wedding costs?
Trim the guest list first (fewer heads = less catering), pick an off-season Friday, and skip favors and limos — guests remember food, music and your mood, not extras.