Wedding Budget Calculator
Split your total wedding budget across venue, catering, photography, flowers and more using typical percentage breakdowns. See per-guest cost and a full category plan.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
| Category | Share | Budget |
|---|
Show the formula & steps
How the Wedding Budget Calculator Works
Planning a wedding is mostly an exercise in dividing one big number into many smaller ones. This calculator takes your total budget and splits it across the standard wedding categories using typical percentage shares, then shows your per-guest cost so you can see how headcount drives the bill.
The Formula
For each category:
Category budget = total budget × category percentage
And the per-guest figure:
Per-guest cost = total budget ÷ number of guests
The default shares add up to 100%, so the entire budget is allocated — including a 5% contingency buffer for surprises.
Typical Budget Breakdown
| Category | Typical share |
|---|---|
| Venue & catering | 50% |
| Photography & video | 12% |
| Attire & beauty | 8% |
| Flowers & décor | 8% |
| Music & entertainment | 8% |
| Stationery & favors | 4% |
| Rings | 3% |
| Transport & misc. | 2% |
| Contingency buffer | 5% |
Worked Example
For a $30,000 budget with 100 guests:
- Venue & catering = 30,000 × 50% = $15,000
- Photography & video = 30,000 × 12% = $3,600
- Flowers & décor = 30,000 × 8% = $2,400
- Per-guest cost = 30,000 ÷ 100 = $300 per guest
The remaining categories fill in the rest of the budget, and all nine shares together account for the full $30,000.
Tips for Staying on Budget
- Cut the guest list first. Because food, drinks and favors scale per person, fewer guests lowers the most categories at once.
- Pick your top priority. If photos matter most, raise that share and trim décor or favors so the total still adds to 100%.
- Keep the buffer untouched until late in planning — it is your cushion for overtime, upgrades and weather backups.
Frequently asked questions
How should I split my wedding budget?+
A common breakdown spends about 50% on the venue and catering, 12% on photography and video, 8% each on attire, flowers and entertainment, and the rest on stationery, rings, transport and a contingency buffer. The venue and food are almost always the largest single line item.
How much should I budget per wedding guest?+
Divide your total budget by your guest count to get the per-guest figure. Because catering, rentals and favors scale with headcount, trimming the guest list is one of the most effective ways to cut overall wedding costs.
What percentage of a wedding budget is the venue?+
Venue and catering together typically take around 50% of the total wedding budget. This includes the rental fee, food, drinks and often tables, chairs and linens, which is why it is by far the biggest category.
Should I include a contingency in my wedding budget?+
Yes. Setting aside about 5% as a contingency buffer covers overtime fees, tasting upgrades, weather backups and last-minute additions. Without a buffer, small surprises quickly push you over budget.
Are these wedding budget percentages fixed?+
No, they are typical starting points. If photography or live music matters most to you, raise those shares and trim elsewhere so the totals still add up to 100% of what you can spend.