Wedding Budget Calculator — All 12 Categories
Plan and track your wedding budget across all major expense categories. Enter your budget and actual spend for each category to see variance and overall totals. Data saves locally in your browser.
Budget Planner
| Category | Budget ($) | Actual ($) | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Typical allocations: Venue 28–35%, Catering & Bar 35–40%, Photography/Video 10–12%, Flowers/Décor 8–10%, Music 5–8%, Attire 5–8%, Officiant 1–2%, Transportation 2–3%, Invitations 2–3%, Favors 1–2%, Honeymoon 5–10%, Miscellaneous buffer 5–8%. Allocations shift significantly by region and priorities.
The average US wedding cost was approximately $30,000 in 2023, but the median (a better indicator) is closer to $20,000–22,000. Cost varies dramatically by location: NYC/SF weddings average $50,000+ while Midwest/Southern weddings may average $18,000–25,000. Guest count is the single biggest driver of overall cost.
Couples frequently forget: marriage license fees, alterations for dress/suit, vendor meals (caterer often charges extra for DJ and photographer meals), cake cutting fees, corkage fees for outside alcohol, valet parking, coat check, security deposits, postage for invitations (heavy invites may need extra postage), and the wedding day emergency kit.
Include a 5–10% contingency fund for unexpected costs. Vendors often charge more for peak dates (May–June, September–October), rush fees for last-minute changes, and overtime if your event runs long. Having a cash buffer prevents the stress of scrambling for funds on short notice.
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