Free tool

Wedding budget calculator

Enter your total budget and guest count to see how much to plan for each part of the day, and what it works out to per guest.

Total budget$30,000
Per guest$250
Biggest costCatering & bar
Category% of budgetAmountPer guest
Venue & rentals%$6,600$55
Catering & bar%$7,500$63
Photo & video%$3,600$30
Attire & beauty%$2,400$20
Flowers & decor%$2,400$20
Music & entertainment%$2,100$18
Rings%$1,500$13
Stationery%$600$5
Cake & desserts%$600$5
Transportation%$600$5
Ceremony & officiant%$300$3
Favors & gifts%$600$5
Miscellaneous%$1,200$10
Total100%$30,000All planned

Change any percentage to fit your plans. The total turns pink until it adds up to 100%. Your numbers stay on this device.

How the split works

Where wedding money usually goes

The starting split is a typical plan for a 100 to 150 guest wedding. Food and drinks and the venue are usually the two biggest costs, together close to half the budget.

  • Venue & rentals: about 22%
  • Catering & bar: about 25%
  • Photo & video: about 12%
  • Attire & beauty: about 8%
  • Flowers & decor: about 8%

Bigger guest list? Catering and rentals grow with it. Smaller one? You may have room for a better photographer or more flowers.

Next step

Keep the whole budget in one sheet

Planly Say Yes uses these same 13 categories. Put your percentages on SETUP, then track estimates, actual costs, payments and due dates as you book. The dashboard shows what's paid, what's left and where you're over.

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FAQ

Good to know

How much should each part of a wedding cost?

A common starting point is about a quarter of the budget for catering and drinks, a little over a fifth for the venue and rentals, around 12% for photo and video, and 7% to 8% each for attire, flowers and music. The calculator starts with that split. Change any line to match what matters most to you.

How do I work out cost per guest?

Divide your total budget by the number of guests. The calculator does it for the whole budget and for every category, which helps when you compare caterers or decide how big the guest list can be.

Should I keep money aside for surprises?

Yes. The Miscellaneous line starts at 4% for tips, fees, alterations and the small things that add up. Many couples keep 5% to 10% spare.

What do the colors mean?

Each category has its own color in the bar above the table. The Total row turns pink when your percentages don't add up to 100%, and it tells you how much is over or still left to plan.

Is my information saved anywhere?

Only in your own browser on this device, so it's there when you come back. Nothing is sent to us.

Can I keep tracking the budget after this?

Planly Say Yes uses these same categories. Type your percentages on its SETUP tab, then log estimates, actual costs and payments as you book vendors. The dashboard updates by itself.