Wedding Budget 101: Sample Budgets, Hidden Costs, and Smart Savings

Start with the Big Three

1. Guest count (largest cost driver).

2. Venue & catering (often 35–45% combined).

3. Season & day of week (peak dates cost more).

   
   

   

   Bride in her wedding dress

Sample Allocations (adjust as needed)

• Venue/Catering/Bar: 35–45%

• Photo/Video: 12–18%

• Attire (dress, veil, accessories, alterations): 8–12%

• Florals/Design/Rentals: 8–12%

• Entertainment: 7–10%

• Stationery: 2–4%

• Transportation/Cake/Officiant/Misc: 3–6%

• Contingency: 5–10%

  
  

Hidden Costs to Plan For

Service fees, taxes, corkage/cake cutting, vendor meals, overtime, delivery, postage (non-machinable), beauty trials, steamer/pressing, weather backups (tents, heaters), and alterations.

Savings That Don’t Show in Photos

• Weekday or Sunday weddings; brunch or winter dates.

• Fewer formalities (e.g., skip extra lounge furniture).

• Repurpose florals between ceremony and reception.

• Prioritize one “wow” (band or lighting) and edit the rest.

  
  

Dress & Alterations Budgeting

Allocate for veil/topper/jewelry/shoes and 2–3 fittings (6–10 weeks). Ask about off the rack or sample sales for tight timelines.

Need a personalized budget walk-through? Book a consult during your dress appointment.