The question was popped, the answer was yes, and now you’re ready to plan your dream wedding. Which means it’s probably time to set up a meet-and-greet between your vision board and your bank account.
Wedding costs can add up quickly, and if you’re just winging it, it’s easy to get carried away. Using a wedding cost calculator as you work through the planning process can help you manage your money better and create a more realistic budget.
Read on for a breakdown of the costs you can expect as you prepare for your big day.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• The wedding cost calculator helps estimate the total cost of a wedding based on various factors.
• It takes into account factors such as location, guest count, venue, catering, attire, and other expenses.
• The calculator provides an itemized breakdown of costs and allows for customization based on personal preferences.
• A calculator can help couples create a realistic budget and make informed decisions about their wedding expenses.
• Using the wedding cost calculator can help reduce stress and ensure financial preparedness for the big day.
How Much Will My Wedding Cost?
The cost of a wedding depends on several factors, including where you live, your wedding date, and the size of your guest list. If you go all-out with a big bridal party, designer duds, and a reception for 200-plus, your bill could be significantly more than the current median of $10,000. If you decide to go with a simple ceremony at City Hall, on the other hand, followed by a modest dinner with a few friends, your total spend will likely fall way below the typical wedding cost.
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What Does the Average Wedding Cost?
The most recent SoFi survey found that the median wedding cost is $10,000. But again, that number can vary widely.
The popular wedding website The Knot says couples who live in the South typically spend a bit less on their wedding, while those who live in bigger cities, particularly in the Northeast, can expect higher costs. Trying to match or exceed the standards set by others in your social group can also affect your bottom line.
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What Goes into a Wedding Cost Calculator?
A wedding cost calculator uses average wedding costs to help couples break down the expenses they can expect to encounter as they plan their wedding. This budgeting tool can assist couples and their families in prioritizing how they want to spend their money. (Is a designer dress a must? Is a buffet or sit-down dinner a better choice? How many guests can you really afford?)
You also can use a wedding calculator/budget as a checklist to ensure you’ve covered all the details, so there aren’t any surprises (or unexpected wedding expenses) as you close in on the big day.
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How to Calculate Wedding Costs
To keep things in perspective and set reasonable priorities, you may want to start by designating a certain percentage of your overall budget for each cost category. A $2,000 dress, for example, would be 10% of a $20,000 budget. A $10,000 reception (venue, catering, music, etc.) would take up 50%. That would leave you 40%, or $8,000, for the rest of your costs (the tux, flowers, photography, etc.).
Knowing the average costs for various categories can also help you fine-tune your budget and save for your wedding. Here’s a look at some of the most common wedding expenditures.
Before the Big Day
You can count on racking up some wedding bills long before you hear wedding bells. (Which is why it can be helpful to use a spending app as soon as you start planning.) Here are some costs you may incur early on in your preparations:
Save the Date Cards: If you want to let your guests know waaay ahead that your big day is coming up, sending “save-the-date” alerts can help. Postcards can cost $1 each, not including postage. (Costs per item typically go down when you order more.)
Invitations: Two major factors will affect the cost of sending out wedding invitations: An elaborate invitation or one that’s designed just for you will cost more than a standard design. And, of course, you’ll pay more for invitations and postage if you have a large guest list. (Don’t forget to put stamps on the RSVP cards included in each invite.) You could end up paying from $256 to $312 for 100 to 150 invitations, but costs can go higher for more intricate or customized designs.
Wedding Planner: How much would you be willing to pay to hand over some of the stress of planning your wedding to a professional? U.S. couples spend an average of $2,100 for their wedding planner’s services, but your price may vary depending on your planner’s expertise and level of involvement, and the size of your wedding.
Marriage Ceremony
Though it’s what the big day is all about, and the reason friends and family have gathered, it can be easy to overlook the actual wedding ceremony when budgeting. Here are some costs to keep in mind:
Marriage License: This document, which authorizes a couple to marry, can cost anywhere from $20 to $110. You can get your exact cost by calling the issuance office in the county where you plan to marry. In some states, you may be able to lower the cost by taking a marriage preparation course.
Officiant Fee: The officiant is the person who is legally authorized to perform your ceremony. It can be the minister at your church or someone who performs weddings as a full-time or side gig. Officiant fees can vary from about $100 to $1,000, with most professionals charging between $500 and $800.
Ceremony Venue: Unless you exchange vows at the same location as your reception, you’ll likely have to budget a separate amount for this venue, whether it’s your church, the beach, a private garden, or a public park. The cost will depend on the location and how long you use the space. (Even if it’s a public place, you may have to pay for a permit to hold your ceremony there, or a by-the-hour rental fee.)
Churches typically ask for a “donation,” which can be a mandatory amount or pay-what-you-wish deal. Unless you’re headed to the courthouse, be prepared to pay between $300 to $1,000-plus to use a house of worship for a ceremony venue. One recent survey by the Knot found private venues averaging $12,800, which is more than the median cost of some weddings.
Decorations: The cost of decorating for your ceremony will depend on how elaborate you want to get — and what your venue will allow. For example, flowers alone can cost an average of $2,800 for a wedding, and if you want other decor, it will add to the tab.
Ceremony Music: You’ll likely want to have some kind of live music at your ceremony — maybe a soloist, the church organist, a quartet, or a band. The cost for music can vary significantly depending on how big you go, and can range from $300 to $700, depending on whether a soloist or band and the length of time they play.
Reception
The reception is typically the largest wedding expense and can include several subcategories — from food and entertainment to decorations and, of course, the cost of renting the venue where guests will gather to celebrate.
Some all-inclusive venues charge one price for catering, decorations, and more. If you have to hire multiple vendors, though, you’ll need to keep these separate costs in mind:
Venue: Depending on the size and location of the hall, country club, restaurant, etc., you can expect to pay $2,500 to $7,500 just to rent the space for your party.
Catering: The cost of feeding your guests will depend on what you serve (appetizers or a full meal) and how it’s served (buffet or by a waitstaff). Costs can range from $70 to $150 per person at high-end venues, though taking a simpler or potluck approach can bring costs down significantly. You may have to pay extra to rent serving equipment or pay waitstaff at some venues.
Drinks: If you decide to offer an open bar with unlimited alcoholic beverages, you can expect to pay $20 to $30 per person, or more.
Entertainment: Couples often argue over whether to hire a DJ or band — and cost can be the deciding factor. A DJ might charge up to $1,000 or more, depending on their popularity, equipment, and how long they’re expected to keep the party going. A live band generally charges more, often running from $1,000 to $5,000. (You may have to pay more if you have to rent sound or lighting equipment.)
Decorations: If you decide to add decorations to the venue (with ribbons, confetti, balloons, etc.), you will likely have to pay extra — from $100 to $1,000 or more. A floral centerpiece for each table might incur a separate cost, so it’s important to be clear about what’s included in your package.
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Wedding Cake
The cake you choose for your wedding is about much more than dessert. Cutting the cake is a fun tradition and it can be a great photo opp. Design, size, the number of tiers, and delivery can all impact the cost, but plan to spend on average $500 for a wedding cake, according to 2024 data.
Photographer/Videographer
If you’re hoping to capture the best moments of your wedding, you may want to make the photographer, and maybe videographer, one of your budget priorities. Depending on the package you choose, you can expect to pay from $1,500 to $3,000 for wedding photos, though the Knot found couples spending an average of $2,900. A videographer can cost in a similar price range.
Flowers
We covered the cost of using flowers to decorate for the ceremony and reception above. Here are some other costs to consider:
Bridal Bouquet: The bride’s flowers are in the spotlight throughout the day — in photos, during the ceremony, and even at the reception. For the bouquet of your dreams, you can expect to pay an average of $250.
Boutonnieres for the Guys: If the groom will be wearing a suit or tux, a boutonniere is almost a must, and it will run from $10 to $30. Multiply that price by the number of men in the wedding party if Dad and the other guys will get them, too.
Bridesmaids Bouquets: These smaller bouquets typically cost about $80 each.
Corsages: Corsages, which can be a nice way to recognize special family members and friends, may cost $20 to $40 each.
Petals for Flower Girl: A bundle of rose petals for the flower girl to scatter can cost $20 to $25.
Bride’s Wedding Outfit
The bride’s outfit — the dress, veil, shoes, jewelry, and more — often takes up a significant amount of the wedding budget. The bride’s wedding dress alone can cost, on average, $1,800 to $2,400, though more expensive options are definitely out there. And that’s before alterations, which can add a couple of hundred dollars.
Groom’s Wedding Outfit
The groom’s gear generally reflects the formality of the wedding, but most men still wear a tux or suit. Purchasing a new tux can cost $200 to $500 or more. And tailoring may cost extra. Renting a tux can cost $100 to $200 or more.
Wedding Party Costs
Traditionally, members of the wedding party pay for their own outfits, but there may be other expenses you decide to cover if you want to help out with the cost of being in the wedding.
For example, if you’re hiring someone to do the bride’s hair and makeup (average cost: $300), and you choose to include the bridesmaids, you can expect to pay about $150 per person. As with most wedding-day costs, however, you’ll likely encounter a wide range of prices.
Transportation
If you and your wedding party hope to travel in style on your wedding day, you want to look into renting a limo, horse-drawn carriage, party bus, or some other type of transportation. Couples spend an average of $750 for wedding day transportation for a small event, but costs will vary based on location, how many vehicles you need, and how many hours you need them.
Wedding Insurance
Once you start budgeting for your wedding, you may decide it makes sense to purchase insurance to protect your investment. Wedding insurance can cover you for several worse-case scenarios. The cost of this type of special-event coverage depends on what you decide to include in your policy. The average cost of a wedding insurance policy is $75 to $550, depending on the type of coverage and cost of the event.
Total Wedding Cost Example
Until you start making calls and getting price quotes, it will be challenging to get even a rough estimate of how much your wedding will cost in total. But the sooner you start filling in some of the blanks on your budget, the sooner you’ll be able to prioritize where you want your money to go — and get a better idea of what the final bill will be.
Here’s an example of what a couple trying to determine a budget between about $14,000 and $24,000 and a guest list of 50 might come up with.
| Cost | Percent of Budget | |
|---|---|---|
| Invitations | $420 | 3% |
| Ceremony: | $560 | 4% |
| Ceremony Venue | $310 | |
| Officiant Fee | $250 | |
| Reception: | $6,020 | 43% |
| Venue with Wine Bar | $3,000 | |
| Buffet Dinner | $2,220 | |
| DJ with Equipment | $800 | |
| Bride’s Costs: | $1,820 | 13% |
| Dress | $1,070 | |
| Alterations | $100 | |
| Shoes | $200 | |
| Jewelry | $200 | |
| Hair & Makeup | $250 | |
| Groom’s Tuxedo Rental with Shoes & Tie | $420 | 3% |
| Cake | $560 | 4% |
| Flowers: | $2,100 | 15% |
| Bride’s Bouquet | $300 | |
| Bridesmaids’ Bouquets (2) | $200 | |
| Boutonnieres for Wedding Party (5) | $100 | |
| Corsages for Family (6) | $200 | |
| Flowers for Ceremony & Reception | $1,300 | |
| Photos | $1,540 | 11% |
| Limo Rental | $560 | 4% |
How to Save Money on Your Wedding
How can you keep your dream wedding from totaling up to a nightmare cost? Here are a few ways to lower the bottom line:
Ask Friends and Family for Help
Do you know someone who’s great at taking photos? Is your cousin an amazing singer? What about a friend who’s a talented baker and cake decorator? If you can find people you trust to take the place of pricier pros, you may be able to reduce some costs — or avoid them entirely.
Eliminate Some of the Extras
If you can do your own hair and makeup, get yourself to the wedding, and/or design and print your own invitations (or go paperless), you may be able to cut some costs without asking for help.
Downsize the Guest List
This can be a tough one, but trimming your guest list is a sure way to trim costs. Consider asking your friends to leave their kids at home, or gently telling your guests that you’re keeping the plus-ones to a minimum.
Go Off the Beaten Path
Choosing an off-peak wedding date; an unusual (and therefore more affordable) wedding venue; or a wedding dress from a department store or consignment shop can save you big bucks.
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The Takeaway
A wedding is a cause for celebration, but the costs can quickly get out of hand, so it’s a good idea to start your planning with a realistic budget. Median costs have recently been found to be $10,000 or so, but some gatherings cost multiples of that. Once a budget is set, though, as you go through the planning process, you can use your budget tracker to stay on top of your actual costs — and stay in sync with your other financial goals. In our example above, wedding costs totaled between $14,000 and $24,000 for an event with 50 guests, depending on the extras the couple decided to opt into.
Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.
FAQ
What is a realistic budget for a wedding?
A realistic wedding budget will be different for every couple. A wedding might cost $10,000 or several multiples of that, depending on the size of the wedding, the location, and other factors.
Is $10,000 a reasonable wedding budget?
You may have to be pickier about splurges than a couple with more to spend, but by setting your priorities early and using a budget tracker, you can get a strong start on sticking to your $10,000 wedding goal.
How do I pay for a wedding I can’t afford?
There are a few different ways you can pay for a wedding if you don’t have enough cash in the bank. One popular option is to take out a personal loan to pay for wedding expenses. Another is to apply for a credit card with a 0% introductory interest rate, which will allow you to pay off the balance interest-free for up to 18 months. Or you might consider waiting until you’ve saved enough to pay all your costs without borrowing.
Photo credit: iStock/Arisara_Tongdonnoi
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