Wedding budget calculator: how much will your wedding cost?
Enter your total budget and the number of guests. We split it across every wedding category and show what each guest really costs.
Wedding style
How the wedding budget simulator works
Enter your total budget, the number of guests and the style of wedding. The simulator splits the budget across every item — venue, catering, drinks, photographer, attire, flowers, music, rings, stationery, transport — and shows the cost per guest so you can check the budget is realistic.
Typical breakdown of a wedding budget
Venue and catering usually take 40 to 50% of the budget, because they scale with the guest list. Photography and video account for around 10%, attire 8 to 10%, music and entertainment 5 to 8%, and flowers and decoration 5 to 8%. Keep 5 to 10% as a buffer for the extras that always appear.
The guest list is your biggest lever
Each guest adds food, drinks, a seat and stationery. Cutting 20 guests from a list of 100 often saves more than changing photographer or venue. Run the simulator with two or three guest counts before signing any contract.
Financing the wedding without hurting your projects
Decide early who contributes — the two of you, families — and turn the remaining amount into a monthly savings goal. Avoid financing the wedding on credit: it delays the next projects, like buying a home or having a child.