Free tool
Wedding Budget Calculator
Type in your total and guest count to see where the money goes, what that means per guest, and what to set aside for the costs nobody plans for.
That’s about $300 per guest. Catering, bar, rentals and stationery all scale with the guest count, so it’s the biggest lever you have.
| Category | Share | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Venue & catering | 45% | $13,500 |
| Venue rental | 20% | $6,000 |
| Catering & bar | 25% | $7,500 |
| Photography & video | 12% | $3,600 |
| Photographer | 9% | $2,700 |
| Videographer | 3% | $900 |
| Flowers & décor | 10% | $3,000 |
| Music & entertainment | 8% | $2,400 |
| Attire & beauty | 7% | $2,100 |
| Attire | 5% | $1,500 |
| Hair & makeup | 2% | $600 |
| Cake & desserts | 2% | $600 |
| Stationery | 2% | $600 |
| Rings | 3% | $900 |
| Buffer & often-forgotten costs | 11% | $3,300 |
What the buffer is for
These rarely make the first draft of a budget, and they add up:
- Vendor gratuities & tips
- Dress & suit alterations
- Delivery, setup & service fees
- Marriage license
- Overtime / weather backup buffer
- Postage for invitations
- Welcome bags & favors
- Hair & makeup trials
- Vendor meals on the day
- Transportation & parking
- Wedding insurance
Free for couples. Your account builds this same budget, ready to edit.
Questions
How is the budget split?
Venue rental and catering together take 45%, photography and video 12%, flowers and décor 10%, music 8%, attire, hair and makeup 7%, rings 3%, and cake and stationery 2% each. The remaining 11% is left as a buffer for the costs couples tend to forget.
Are these percentages a rule?
No. They're a starting point. Shift money toward whatever matters most to you, and away from the things your guests won't remember.
Why does the guest count matter so much?
Catering, bar, rentals, invitations and favors all scale with the number of people. Cutting the list by 20 guests often saves more than trimming any single vendor.
What costs do couples forget?
Vendor tips, alterations, delivery and setup fees, the marriage license, postage, vendor meals on the day, transportation and wedding insurance are the usual ones. That's what the buffer is for.
Is the calculator free?
Yes, and nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere. To keep your budget, create a free Bridal Team account and it builds the same starter budget for you to edit, with estimates and amounts paid for every line.
Working out the money?
Read how much a wedding costs, how to build a realistic budget, who pays for the wedding and how to build your guest list, or ask the free AI wedding planner how to split your budget.