Wedding Budget

Scroll down to see the breakdowns for the different budgets.

$20,000.00 and under**

50% Reception ($10,000.00)
       reception site fee
       reception related rentals
           (tables, chairs, place settings, barware, linens, chair covers)
       beverages
       hors d’oeuvres
       main entree
       bartender fees
       cake / sweet table / dessert buffet
       favors
       tax / service charges

10% Photographer ($2000.00)

8%   Florist ($1600.00)
       personal flowers
       ceremony / reception flowers

8%   Music ($1600.00)
       ceremony musician
          perhaps a single harpist or pianist/vocalist
       reception DJ

6%   Bride’s Attire ($1200.00)
       dress
       veil / tiara / hair accessories
       shoes
       jewelry
       hair / make-up / nails

5%   Ceremony ($1000.00)
       facility rental / donation
       officiant honorarium

5%   Consultant ($1000.00)*

3%   Stationery ($600.00)
       invitation sets
        postage
       place cards

3%   Transportation ($600.00)

2%   Miscellaneous ($400.00)
       tips (optional)
       planning book / cake knife set
        guest book & pen / toasting flutes (often given as shower gifts)
       any other last minute items that come up

$25,000.00**

50% Reception ($12,500.00)
       reception site fee
       reception related rentals
          (tables, chairs, place settings, barware, linens, chair covers)
       beverages
       hors d’oeuvres
       main entree
       bartender fees / corkage fees
       cake / sweet table / dessert buffet
       favors
       tax / service charges

9% Photographer ($2250.00)

8% Florist ($2000.00)
       personal flowers
       ceremony / reception flowers

6% Bride’s Attire ($1500.00)
       dress
       veil / tiara / hair accessories
       shoes
       jewelry
       hair / make-up / nails

6% Music ($1500.00)
       ceremony musicians / vocalists
       reception DJ

5+% Consultant ($1350.00)

4%   Videographer ($1000.00)

4%   Ceremony ($1000.00)
       facility rental / donation
       officiant honorarium

3%   Stationery ($750.00)
       invitation sets
        postage
       place cards
       (additional monies may be needed
         for programs, menus, and calligraphy services)

3%   Transportation ($750.00)

1+% Miscellaneous ($400.00)
       tips (optional)
         planning book / cake knife set
         guest book & pen / toasting flutes (often given as shower gifts)
         any other last minute items that come up

$30,000.00**

50% Reception ($15,000.00)
       reception site fee
       reception related rentals
          (tables, chairs, place settings, barware, linens, chair covers, etc)
       beverages
       hors d’oeuvres
       main entree
       bartender fees / corkage fees
       cake / sweet table / dessert buffet
       favors
       tax / service charges / gratuities

9% Florist ($2700.00)
       personal flowers
       ceremony / reception flowers

8% Photographer ($2400.00)

6% Bride’s Attire ($1800.00)
       dress
       veil / tiara / hair accessories
       shoes
       jewelry
       hair / make-up / nails

6% Music ($1800.00)
       ceremony musicians / vocalists
       reception DJ

5+% Consultant ($1500.00)

5%   Videographer ($1500.00)

3+% Ceremony ($1000.00)
          facility rental / donation
          officiant honorarium

3%   Stationery ($900.00)
       invitation sets
       postage
       place cards
       programs
          (additional monies may be needed
           for menus, and calligraphy services)

3%   Transportation ($900.00)

1+% Miscellaneous ($500.00)
          tips (optional)
      planning book / cake knife set
          guest book & pen / toasting flutes (often given as shower gifts)
          any other last minute items that come up

$40,000.00**

50% Reception ($20,000.00)
       reception site fee
       reception related rentals
          (tables, chairs, place settings, barware, linens, chair covers, etc)
       beverages
       hors d’oeuvres
       main entree
       bartender fees / corkage fees
       cake / sweet table / dessert buffet
       favors
       tax / service charges / gratuities

8%   Florist ($3200.00)
       personal flowers
       ceremony / reception flowers

8%   Music ($3200.00)
       ceremony musicians / vocalists
       reception DJ / band

8%   Photographer ($3200.00)

6%   Bride’s Attire ($2400.00)
       dress
       veil / tiara / hair accessories
       shoes
       jewelry
       hair / make-up / nails

5%   Videographer ($2000.00)
         cinematography style format

4%   Consultant ($1600.00)

3% Ceremony ($1200.00)
       facility rental / donation
       officiant honorarium

3%   Stationery ($1200.00)
       invitation sets
       postage
       place cards
       programs, menu cards, calligraphy services

3%   Transportation ($1200.00)

2%   Miscellaneous ($800.00)
          tips
          planning book / cake knife set
          guest book & pen / toasting flutes (often given as shower gifts)
          any other last minute expenses that may come up

$50,000.00**

51% Reception ($25,500.00)
       reception site fee
       reception related rentals
           (tables, chairs, place settings, barware, linens, chair covers, décor, etc)
       beverages
       hors d’oeuvres
       main entree
       bartender fees / corkage fees
       cake / sweet table / dessert buffet
       favors
       tax / service charges / gratuities

9%   Florist ($4500.00)
       personal flowers
       ceremony / reception flowers

7%   Music ($3500.00)
       ceremony musicians / vocalists
       reception dj / small band

7%   Photographer ($3500.00)

6%   Bride’s Attire ($3000.00)
       dress
       veil / tiara / hair accessories
       shoes
       jewelry
       hair / make-up / nails

5%   Consultant ($1600.00 - $2500.00)

4%   Videographer ($2000.00)

3%   Ceremony ($1500.00)
       facility rental / donation
       officiant honorarium

3%   Stationery ($1500.00)
       invitation sets
        postage
       place cards
       programs, menus, calligraphy services

3%   Transportation ($1500.00)

2%   Miscellaneous ($1000.00)
       tips (optional)
       planning book / cake knife set
        guest book & pen / toasting flutes (often given as shower gifts)
       any other last minute expenses that may come up

$75,000.00**

52% Reception ($39,000.00)
       reception site fee
       reception related rentals
          (tables, chairs, place settings, barware, linens, chair covers, décor, etc)
       beverages
       hors d’oeuvres
       main entree
       bartender fees / corkage fees
       cake / sweet table / dessert buffet
       favors
       tax / service charges / gratuities

10% Florist ($7500.00)
       personal flowers
       ceremony / reception flowers

10% Music ($7500.00)
       ceremony musicians / vocalists
       band / orchestra for reception

6% Photographer ($4500.00)

5% Bride’s Attire ($3750.00)
       dress
       veil / tiara / hair accessories
       shoes
       jewelry
       hair / make-up / nails

5% Consultant ($2000.00 - $3750.00)

4% Videographer ($3000.00)
          Cinematography style format

2+% Ceremony ($1750.00)
       facility rental / donation
       officiant honorarium

2+% Stationery ($1750.00)
       invitation sets
       postage
       place cards
        programs, menus, calligraphy services

2% Transportation ($1500.00)

1+% Miscellaneous ($1000.00)
       tips
       planning book / cake server
        guest book & pen / toasting flutes (often given as shower gifts)
       any other last minute expenses that may come up

*Consultant fees do vary depending on desired service, size, location and details; they are not always determined on a percentage basis. Listed fee is an estimate for limited day-of services.

**Note: Every couple needs to determine what is the most important element in their wedding. They can spend more in that area if they spend less in another.