Wedding Dress Budget Breakdown

Your wedding dress should make you feel like a superstar without spurning your revised-and-ratified wedding budget. So fear not; whether you’re planning to elope with your sweetheart or hosting a week long extravaganza in the ritziest of venues, we have an affordable wedding gown to fit the bill. If you’re wondering how much to spend on your wedding dress, keep scrolling.

(Please note this chart is a general breakdown. Wedding budgets are subject to various factors, and can be personalized based on your unique vision!)

Now, on to the big-picture items. You can always afford your dream wedding when it’s in, you know, dream form. But when it’s time to crunch numbers for all your expenses (e.g., “How much should I really spend on a wedding dress for my budget?”), best create a spreadsheet and hold yourself accountable. Get help from friends and family when you can, but stick to a bottom line that you’ll feel good coming home to after the honeymoon. Here’s our breakdown of sample wedding budgets to get you started on affordable wedding dresses, venue options, ways to save, ways to splurge, and everything in between:

(Note that these samples are general breakdowns intended to give you an idea of what to consider within a budget range. Wedding costs are subject to various factors, and can be personalized based on your unique vision!)

Number of guests: 50-75
Invites: (DIY with stamps and stationery, including postage) to $250 (professionally printed; does not include save-the-dates, thank-you cards, programs, etc.)
Photographer: $750-$1500 (trade, friend/family member discount, art student, or part-time photographer)
Wedding dress and alterations: $700-$800
Venue:$0 (backyard, not including rentals) to $1000-$2000 (non-standard venue like National Park or public building; includes seating but not other rentals)
Music: $0 (iPod and family member) to $800 (part-time DJ)
Food and drinks: $1000 (homemade banquet) to $2000 (food truck) to $3000 (affordable catering plus limited bar).
Cake/Dessert: $0 (ask a family member to make a simple cake or dessert).
Bouquets: $50 (DIY bride bouquet) to $200 (bride’s bouquet and two bridesmaid bouquets) to $300 (more deluxe/involved).
Décor: $500 allocated for DIY projects, lights, and wholesale flowers or greenery
Day-of coordinator: $0 (often included with venue or ask a family member) to $900 (professional)
Grand total: $4,075 to $10,200

Wedding dress and alterations: $700-$1100
Number of guests: 50-100
Invites: $80 (DIY, including postage) to $300 (professionally printed; does not include save-the-dates, thank-you cards, programs, etc.)
Photographer: $2000-$3000 (professional)
Venue: $3000 (subject to location; non-standard/off-season venue with mid-day/afternoon booking) to $5000 (non-standard/off-season venue including some extras like linens and seating)
Music: $0 (iPod and family member) to $2,000 (DJ)
Food and drinks: $2000 (food truck) to $3000 (affordable appetizer catering plus limited bar, or budget $900 toward alcohol purchased separately)
Bouquets: $50 (DIY bride bouquet) to $200 (bride’s bouquet and two bridesmaid bouquets) to $300 (more involved).
Décor: $500 (DIY projects, lights, and wholesale flowers) to $750 (additional)
Day-of coordinator: $0 (often included with venue or ask a family member) to $900 (professional)
Grand total: $13,360 to $15,800

Dresses: Sandra & Allison 🍰PC: Stacy Able Photo 👰: Andi Harsey/Arielle Peters

$15,000 to $20,000

Wedding dress and alterations: $1000-$1600
Number of guests: 50-100
Invites: $250-$350 (printed; does not include save-the-dates, thank-you cards, etc.)
Photographer: $2000 (professional)
Bridesmaid Dresses: $800 (about $150 for each if you have 5 bridesmaids)
Venue: $6000 (standard venue with serve-yourself buffet, some extras) to $11,000 (standard booking with no extras, or off-season booking that includes food, alcohol, service staff, catering, and seating for 50 to 100 guests)
Music: $1000 (DJ)
Bouquets: $300 (bride and bridesmaid bouquets with mid-priced flowers).
Décor: $900 (candles, simple centerpieces, DIY décor)
Wedding planner: $900 (day-of coordinator) $2000 (professional)
Grand total: $14,150 (throw that extra budget at special wedding shoes✨👠) to $20,950

Dress: Linda 🌺PC: Caragraphy Studios Photography

$20,000 to $25,000

Wedding dress and alterations: $1200-$2000
Number of guests: 75-125
Invites: $300-$500 (printed; may include save-the-dates and thank-you cards)
Photographer: $2000-$3000 (professional, high-demand)
Bridesmaid Dresses: $800 (about $150 for each if you have 5 bridesmaids)
Venue: $12,000 to $14,000(possibly off-season; includes food, alcohol, service staff, catering, and seating for 50 to 100 guests)
Music: $1000 to $1,500 (DJ)
Bouquets: $300 (bride and bridesmaid bouquets with mid-priced flowers).
Décor: $900 (candles, simple centerpieces with DIY purchases)
Wedding planner: $2000 (professional)
Grand total: $20,500 to $25,000

Dress: Lisette 👰PC: Alex Lasota / Jaimie Reinhart

$25,000 to $30,000

Wedding dress and alterations: $1500-$2300
Number of guests: 75-150
Invites: $300-$500 (printed; may include save-the-dates and thank-you cards)
Photographer + Videographer: $3000-$4000 (professional)
Bridesmaid Dresses & Accessories: $1100
Venue: $15,000 (includes food, alcohol, service staff, catering, and seating for 100-150 guests)
Music: $2,000 (DJ) to $3,000 (live band)
Bouquets: $500 (bride and two bridesmaid bouquets) to $1000 (larger wedding party)
Décor: $1000 (candles, centerpieces, flower arrangements) to $1500
Wedding planner: $2000-$2500 (professional)
Grand total: $26,450 to $30,900

Dress: McCall 👰PC: Lauren Rae Photography / Ebersole Photography

And here are a few budgeting tips that apply ever-so-nicely to any price range:

Invest in a Wedding Gown that (Almost) Fits to Begin With

Save big on alterations by opting for a corset-style gown that hugs your natural figure or features built-in shapewear to flatter your curves. This will help you avoid making extensive undergarment and alterations purchases down the line.

Get Married on a Weekday or Sunday

Seriously, you can save a couple thousand on your venue just by pushing your celebration to a Thursday night or Sunday morning. Some fab themes include a brunch soiree, a casual weekday barbecue, or a pub-style evening with craft beers and comfort food. Cheers!

Explore Non-Venue Options

Throw a backyard bash, rent out a cool dive bar, or explore the outdoors at a National Park. Non-traditional venues are quirky and authentic, and usually come at a fraction of the price of a ritzy reception center. (Just don’t forget rentals, reservations, and permits!)

Opt for Intimate

It’s basic math—your overall cost goes way down when you cut the guest list down from the start. Plus, you’ll free up budget to give your nearest and dearest an extra-pampering experience.

Create a Honeymoon Registry

You’ll feel way better about wedding-day splurges if you don’t have a pricey honeymoon on deck for the week after. Plus, if you buy your travel tickets far in advance, you’ll have plenty of time to play with budget and accommodate your bridal wish-list.

Most of All, Have Fun!

A party is about friends and family, not bells and whistles. Cut down on bridal extras, focus on experience, and DIY as much as you can. In the end, you’ll savor the memories more than the monogrammed centerpieces.