What percentage of my wedding budget should go to the venue and catering?

A common rule of thumb is 40% to 50% of your total budget for venue, food, and drinks combined. Our Classic preset uses 45% for venue and catering together, but you can adjust this up or down if food or location is more or less important to you.

How do I track deposits and final payments?

For each category, enter the quoted cost and the deposit you have already paid. The calculator automatically shows the remaining balance and whether you are over or under your planned budget for that line item.

Can I customize the wedding budget categories?

Yes. You can toggle optional categories on or off, and in Custom mode you can edit the percentage allocated to each category. The calculator will keep your total at 100% and show a warning if your custom percentages do not add up correctly.

How do I budget for a small or destination wedding?

For small, courthouse, or destination weddings, you may want to reduce or remove categories like large receptions or transportation and increase travel, accommodation, or photography. Use the Minimal preset as a starting point, then adjust categories and percentages to match your specific plans.

Wedding Budget Calculator

Estimate your total wedding cost, auto-allocate by category, and track quotes, deposits, and remaining balances—all in one interactive planner.

1. Set your wedding budget

Total wedding budget

Enter the total amount you are comfortable spending.

Currency

Currency is for display only; no exchange rates are applied.

Estimated guest count (optional)

We’ll show an approximate cost per guest.

Budget style

Presets auto-fill category percentages. Choose “Custom” to edit every percentage yourself.

Planned total

$30,000

Estimated per guest

—

Planned vs. actual

Actual: $0 (–)

2. Wedding budget breakdown

Adjust any percentage or amount. In Custom mode you can freely edit the % column. The calculator keeps your total at 100% and highlights any mismatch.

Show optional categories (favors, gifts, etc.)

Category	% of budget	Planned	Quote / Actual	Deposit paid	Remaining	Δ vs. plan
Totals:	100%	$30,000	$0	$0	$0	$0

3. Compare budget scenarios (optional)

Quickly see how changing your total budget affects your per-guest cost and key categories.

Lean budget

E.g. smaller guest list or simpler reception.

Current budget

Mirrors the total you set above.

Luxe budget

E.g. upgraded venue, open bar, live band.

Scenario	Total budget	Per guest (if guest count set)	Venue + Catering (45%)	Photography + Video (12%)

How this wedding budget calculator works

This calculator is designed to be more practical than a static “percentage chart”. It lets you:

Start from a total budget you’re comfortable with.
Auto-allocate that budget across realistic categories.
Track quotes, deposits, and remaining balances.
See instantly where you’re over or under budget.
Compare lean vs. luxe scenarios side by side.

Default wedding budget breakdown (Classic preset)

The Classic preset is based on common ranges from major wedding publications, simplified into clear buckets:

Venue & catering: 45% (venue rental, food, bar)
Attire & beauty: 8% (dress/suit, alterations, hair, makeup)
Photography & video: 12%
Music & entertainment: 8%
Flowers & décor: 10%
Stationery & website: 3%
Transportation: 3%
Officiant & ceremony: 3%
Favors & gifts: 3%
Contingency / misc: 5%

You can switch to Minimal (more money to venue/food, less to décor and extras) or Luxe (more to photography, décor, and entertainment), or choose Custom and enter your own percentages.

Formulas used

Planned amount for a category

$\text{Planned} = \text{Total Budget} \times \frac{\text{Category %}}{100}$

Remaining balance

$\text{Remaining} = \max(0,\; \text{Quote/Actual} - \text{Deposit})$

Difference vs. plan

$\Delta = \text{Quote/Actual} - \text{Planned}$

Cost per guest

$\text{Per guest} = \frac{\text{Total Budget}}{\text{Guest Count}}$

Practical tips for setting a realistic wedding budget

1. Start from what you can afford, not from “average” costs

Articles often quote national “average” wedding costs, but those numbers can be inflated by large, luxury events. A healthier approach is:

Look at your current savings earmarked for the wedding.
Estimate how much you can save monthly before the wedding date.
Add any family contributions that are confirmed in writing.

Use that sum as your starting total in the calculator, then adjust up or down until the monthly savings required feels comfortable.

2. Prioritize 2–3 “must haves”

Most couples care deeply about a few things (e.g., venue, food, photography) and are flexible on others. In the calculator, you can:

Increase the % for your top priorities.
Reduce or remove categories you don’t care about (e.g., favors, transportation).
Use the Δ vs. plan column to see where you’re intentionally splurging or saving.

3. Don’t forget hidden and last‑minute costs

Commonly overlooked expenses include:

Service fees, taxes, and gratuities on catering and bar.
Alterations, undergarments, shoes, and accessories.
Delivery, setup, and teardown fees for rentals and décor.
Overtime charges for venue, DJ/band, and photographer.
Marriage license, insurance, and vendor tips.

This is why the calculator reserves a contingency / misc category—try not to set this below 5%.

4. Track deposits and payment schedules

Most vendors require a non‑refundable deposit and then one or more final payments. In the table you can:

Enter the quoted total in the “Quote / Actual” column.
Enter the deposit paid once you sign a contract.
Use the Remaining column to see how much is still due.

Keeping this updated helps you avoid a cash‑flow crunch in the final month before the wedding.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I budget for a wedding?

There is no single right number. As a rough guideline, many couples spend between 10–20% of their combined annual income on the wedding, but this varies widely by location and priorities. Use the calculator to test different totals and see how they translate into per‑guest cost and category amounts.

What if my parents or others are contributing?

You can either:

Add their contributions to your total and treat it as one unified budget, or
Track separate “sponsored” items (e.g., “Parents covering rehearsal dinner”) and reduce your own total accordingly.

Whichever approach you choose, make sure contributions are clearly communicated and confirmed before you lock in contracts.

How early should I finalize my wedding budget?

Ideally, you should have a draft budget before you start touring venues, because the venue and catering will drive so much of your total cost. Expect to refine the numbers as you get real quotes; the calculator is built to be updated as you go.

How can we cut wedding costs without it feeling “cheap”?

Trim the guest list—this is usually the single biggest lever.
Choose an off‑peak date (weekday, winter, or Sunday) or daytime reception.
Opt for a simpler bar package (beer/wine only, or a limited signature cocktail).
Reuse ceremony flowers at the reception where possible.
Send digital save‑the‑dates or invitations instead of elaborate printed suites.

Should we go into debt for our wedding?

From a financial‑planning perspective, it’s usually better to avoid high‑interest debt for a one‑day event. If you do use a credit card or personal loan, build the monthly payment into your broader budget and make sure it doesn’t crowd out essentials like housing, emergency savings, or retirement contributions.