Wedding Budget Planner
Enter your total budget and guest count to split it across venue, catering, photography and every other category using typical percentages, then track actual costs and payments as you book. Your plan is saved privately in this browser.
Budget by category
| Category | % of budget | Estimated | Actual cost | Paid | Still due | Status | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total |
Edit a percentage to recalculate the estimate, or type an estimate to update its percentage. Enter actual costs as quotes are confirmed and payments as you make them (deposits count). Everything is saved in this browser automatically.
Planned split
Estimated vs actual
How to use the Wedding Budget Planner
- Enter your total budget and expected number of guests, and choose your currency.
- Review the split: each category gets a typical percentage. Change a percentage or an amount, rename categories, or add your own.
- Add actual costs as vendors confirm quotes, and record deposits and payments in the Paid column.
- Watch the warnings: categories over their estimate and the total over budget are flagged in red. Press Calculate budget at any time to refresh.
- Export or print the budget to share with your partner, family or planner.
Typical wedding budget breakdown
The default split used by the planner, shown for three example budgets. These are starting points based on common planning advice, not rules; local prices and your priorities matter more.
| Category | Share | $15,000 budget | $30,000 budget | $50,000 budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | 20% | $3,000 | $6,000 | $10,000 |
| Catering & bar | 25% | $3,750 | $7,500 | $12,500 |
| Photography & video | 12% | $1,800 | $3,600 | $6,000 |
| Attire & beauty | 8% | $1,200 | $2,400 | $4,000 |
| Flowers & décor | 8% | $1,200 | $2,400 | $4,000 |
| Music & entertainment | 7% | $1,050 | $2,100 | $3,500 |
| Wedding planner | 3% | $450 | $900 | $1,500 |
| Rings | 3% | $450 | $900 | $1,500 |
| Cake & desserts | 2% | $300 | $600 | $1,000 |
| Stationery & invitations | 2% | $300 | $600 | $1,000 |
| Transportation | 2% | $300 | $600 | $1,000 |
| Favors & gifts | 2% | $300 | $600 | $1,000 |
| Ceremony & officiant | 1% | $150 | $300 | $500 |
| Contingency (buffer) | 5% | $750 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
Wedding budget formulas
- Category estimate = total budget × category %.
- Projected cost per category = actual cost if booked, otherwise the estimate.
- Left in budget = total budget − sum of projected costs (negative means over budget).
- Still to pay = projected cost − amount paid, summed over all categories.
- Cost per guest = projected total ÷ number of guests.
Example: with $30,000 and 100 guests, the venue estimate is $6,000. If the venue you love costs $6,500 and the photographer $3,900 (estimate $3,600), the projected total becomes $30,800, which is $800 over budget, or $308 per guest. Moving $800 from décor or favors, or trimming the guest list, brings the plan back to budget.
Tips to keep a wedding on budget
- Set the guest list first; it drives catering, venue size, rentals and stationery.
- Rank your top three priorities and give them a larger share; cut back where you care least.
- Ask what is included: service charges (often 18–25% on catering), taxes, overtime and delivery fees.
- Consider off-peak dates such as Fridays, Sundays or winter months for lower venue prices.
- Track every deposit in the Paid column and keep the contingency for last-minute costs.
- For a monthly saving plan towards the big day, use the savings goal calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How should I split my wedding budget?
A common starting point is to put about 45–50% into the venue and catering, around 10–12% into photography and video, 7–10% each into attire and beauty, flowers and décor, and music, and smaller shares into rings, cake, stationery, transport, favors and the ceremony, with about 5% held back as a buffer. Adjust the split to what matters most to you.
Why does the guest count matter so much?
Catering, bar, rentals, invitations and favors are all priced per person, and the venue size depends on it. Cutting 20 guests often saves more than any other single change. The tool shows your projected cost per guest and the catering cost per guest.
What is the difference between estimated, actual and paid?
Estimated is what you plan to spend on a category. Actual is the confirmed price once you book a vendor. Paid is how much you have already handed over, including deposits. Still due is the actual cost (or the estimate if not booked yet) minus what you have paid.
How is the projected total calculated?
For each category the tool uses the actual cost if you have entered one, otherwise the estimate. Adding these gives the projected total, which is compared with your budget to show what is left or how far you are over.
Should I include a contingency in my wedding budget?
Yes. Extra guests, overtime fees, alterations, taxes, service charges and tips add up. Keeping around 5–10% as a buffer means a surprise does not break the budget. If you do not need it, it becomes a honeymoon fund.
Is my wedding budget saved?
Yes, automatically, in this browser's local storage on this device. Nothing is uploaded. Export a CSV if you want a backup or to open it in Excel or Google Sheets.