Our Wedding Budget Breakdown for Easier Wedding Planning

You can always afford your dream wedding when it’s in—you know, dream form. But when it’s time to crunch numbers and ask yourself the tough questions (e.g., “How much should I really spend on a wedding dress?”), it becomes necessary to create a wedding budget breakdown spreadsheet and hold yourself accountable.

Accept help from friends and family if they offer, but stick to a bottom line that you’ll feel good about coming home to after the honeymoon. So, to make your wedding planning easier, our wedding experts have created a wedding budget breakdown to get you started on affordable wedding dresses, venue options, ways to save, ways to splurge, and everything in between. Keep scrolling!

If Your Wedding Budget is $10,000 or Less

When your wedding budget comes in at $10,000 or less, you’ll have to be extra careful when making decisions. A few tips that can help you cut costs include minimizing your guest list, passing up on expensive details, simplifying your menu, and substituting less expensive flowers for your bouquet. It might seem difficult right now, but we promise you’ll be grateful in the long run! For a more specific wedding budget breakdown for a $10,000 or less wedding, see below!

• Wedding dress and alterations: $800-$1,000 (see our Rebecca Ingram wedding dresses under $1,000 for this price range!)
• Number of guests: 50-75
• Wedding invites: $75 (DIY, including postage) to $250
• Photographer: $1,000-$1,500 (use a friend/family member discount, or hire an art student or part-time photographer)
• Groom’s attire: $50-$100 (rental)
• Venue: $0 (backyard, not including rentals) to $1,000-$2,000 (non-standard venue like a National Park or public building; includes seating)
• Music: $0 (iPod and family member) $800 (DJ)
• Food and drinks: $1,000-$2,000 (pastries/dessert; alcohol bought separately)
• Wedding cake: $100-$150 (made by a family member or friend)
• Bouquets: $50 (DIY bride bouquet) to $100 (bride’s bouquet and two bridesmaid bouquets)
• Décor: $500 allocated for DIY projects, lights, and wholesale flowers
• Day-of coordinator: $0 (family member) to $900 (professional)
• Grand total: $5,575 to $10,200

PC: Alexandra Robyn Photography

If Your Wedding Budget is $10,000 to $15,000

If you have a $10,000-$15,000 wedding budget, you’ll be able to splurge a little more on certain things like your photographer, venue, and food. But still be mindful of added service fees, gratuity for staff, and high-season catering and venue prices. Wedding costs can add up quickly, so be sure to track expenses accordingly. Now, without further ado, here’s our wedding budget breakdown for this price range!

• Wedding dress and alterations: $1,000-$1,400 (see our Rebecca Ingram and Maggie Sottero bridal gowns that fall into this price range!)
• Number of guests: 75-150
• Wedding invites: $100 (DIY, including postage) to $300
• Photographer: $2,000-$2,500
• Groom’s attire: $100-$150 (rent or purchase)
• Venue: $1,200 (non-standard venue, outdoor venue, or mid-day/afternoon booking) to $2,300 (including linens and seating)
• Music: $800-$1,000 (local or family friend DJ)
• Food and drinks: $1,000 (homemade banquet) to $2,000 (food truck) to $3,000 (affordable catering plus limited bar)
• Wedding cake: $150-$300 (family friend or local bakery)
• Bouquets: $50 (DIY bride bouquet) to $200 (bride’s bouquet and two bridesmaid bouquets) to $300 (more involved)
• Décor: $700 (DIY projects, lights, and florals) to $1,000 (additional décor)
• Day-of coordinator: $0 (family member) to $1,200 (professional)
• Grand total: $13,360 to $15,800

PC: Jaimee Morse Photography

With a Wedding Budget Breakdown of $15,000 to $20,000

With a wedding budget in the mid-range, your have flexibility to put your own unique spin on things and invest in the aspects of your day that really matter to you. Ways to make the most out of a $15,000 to $20,000 wedding budget include choosing 3-4 things you want to splurge on, then staying modest with the rest. That way, you’ll still stay within your wedding budget and be able to focus on what really matters to you.

• Wedding dress and alterations: $1,400-$1,800 (browse our collections of Maggie Sottero wedding dresses to see styles at this price!)
• Number of guests: 150-200
• Wedding invites: $150-$350
• Photographer: $2,500-$3,000
• Groom’s attire: $150-$200 (purchase)
• Venue: $5,000 (non-standard venue with serve-yourself buffet) to $10,000 (off-season booking that includes food, alcohol, service staff, catering, and seating)
• Music: $1,000-$1,400 (DJ)
• Food and drinks: $2,000 (food truck) to $3,000 (affordable catering plus limited bar) to $5,000 (full banquet, desserts, and $900 worth of alcohol purchased separately)
• Wedding cake: $300-$500
• Bouquets: $200-$300 (bride, bridesmaid, and flower girl bouquets with pricier flowers)
• Décor: $1,000-$1,200 (candles, centerpieces, florals, etc.)
• Wedding planner: $900 (day-of coordinator) $2,000 (professional)
• Grand total: $15,500 to $20,300

PC: Rachel Laxton Photography

Your Wedding Budget is $20,000 to $25,000

With this wedding budget, you have more leeway to decide how and where to spend your budget. Want to splurge on an amazing plated dinner for your guests? Go for it! Or, want to dial back on the food and drinks to save more money for the honeymoon? The choice is yours! Just don’t feel that with a wedding budget breakdown, you have to compromise on anything you and your sweetheart really want.

• Wedding dress and alterations: $1,600-$3,000 (see our Maggie Sottero and Sottero and Midgley lines for gorgeous wedding gowns in this price range!)
• Number of guests: 200-250
• Wedding invites: $200-$400
• Photographer + Videographer: $3,000-$4,000
• Groom’s attire: $200-$250
• Venue: $9,000 to $14,000 (includes food, alcohol, service staff, catering, and seating for 100+ guests)
• Music: $2,000 (DJ) to $3,000 (local live band)
• Food and drinks: $3,000 (affordable catering plus limited bar) to $6,000 (full banquet, desserts, and $1,200 worth of alcohol purchased separately)
• Wedding cake: $500-$1,000
• Bouquets: $300-$400 (bride and bridesmaid bouquets with pricier flowers)
• Décor: $1,500 (candles, centerpieces, florals, additional décor)
• Wedding planner: $2,000 (professional)
• Grand total: $19,850 to $25,850

PC: Rene Zadori Photography

Your Wedding Budget is $25,000+

With a wedding budget of $25,000 and above, the sky is the limit! Think destination wedding, resort wedding, or Disney wedding (like this couple below!). When your budget is not an issue, feel free to pamper your guests and splurge on the things that will make your day the most special. Whether it be a grand ceremony or an impressive firework show, it’s up to you! Check out our wedding budget breakdown for an extravagant wedding below.

• Wedding dress and alterations: $2,000-$4,000 (browse our Sottero and Midgley collections to see glamorous wedding gowns in this price range!)
• Number of guests: 250+
• Wedding invites: $300-$500
• Photographer + Videographer: $4,000-$6,000
• Groom’s attire: $250-$300
• Venue: $15,000-$17,000 (includes food, alcohol, service staff, catering, and seating for 200+ guests)
• Music: $2,000 (DJ) to $4,000 (live band)
• Food and Drinks: $5,000 (full banquet, desserts, and limited bar) to $8,000 (full banquet, dessert, and open bar)
• Wedding cake: $1,000+
• Bouquets: $500 (bride and two bridesmaid bouquets) to $1,000 (for larger wedding party)
• Décor: $2,000+ (candles, centerpieces, flower arrangements, etc.)
• Wedding planner: $3,000+ (professional)
• Grand total: $26,450 to $32,550+

PC: That First Moment Photography

PC: Everlasting Photography

Wedding Planning Percentages

When in doubt, follow our wedding budget breakdown percentage calculator to help you know how much to spend on everything, but keep in mind that these percentages should act as a guide. It’s your special day, so feel free to spend more or less money on what you really want!

• 50 Percent: Venue Catering and Rental Costs
• 12 Percent: Photography and Videography
• 10 Percent: Wedding Dress, Hair, and Makeup
• 8 Percent: Décor
• 7 Percent: Entertainment
• 4 Percent: Wedding Planner
• 3 Percent: Wedding Stationary and Invites
• 3 Percent: Wedding Bands
• 2 Percent: Other Miscellaneous Costs
• 1 Percent: Goodies for Guests

There’s a lot to keep track of when it comes to wedding planning, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Follow our tips above and you will be more equipped to having your dream wedding while staying within your means! And if budget is the name of the game, visit our blog post about micro weddings and minimonies to see if one of these options is the right one for you.

We hope that after reading our wedding budget breakdown tips and tricks, you’re well on your way to planning the perfect celebration for you and your sweetheart! If you’re still wondering how much to spend on your wedding dress, or how to stick to your wedding budget, visit our blog! And after you get married, don’t forget to read up on: How to Manage Your Finances as Newlyweds. Happy wedding planning!