Wedding Budget Calculator
Enter your total wedding budget and see exactly how much goes to the venue, catering, photography, and everything else — with sliders to match your priorities.
Adjust the sliders below to match your priorities. Amounts update live.
How to use the wedding budget calculator
- Enter your total wedding budget — the full amount you are comfortable spending.
- Review the default category percentages, which are based on typical wedding spending breakdowns.
- Drag the sliders to match your priorities. Care more about photos than flowers? Shift the percentages.
- Watch the totals update live. If your percentages exceed 100%, the calculator warns you to dial something back.
Tips for staying on budget
The venue and catering together usually eat half the budget, so lock those numbers in first — everything else flows from what remains. Always keep a miscellaneous buffer of at least 5%; surprise costs (alterations, tips, overtime fees) appear at nearly every wedding. Track spending against these category targets in a simple spreadsheet as you book vendors, and revisit the calculator whenever a quote comes in over target so you can rebalance early. Finally, remember that the percentages are guidelines, not rules: an intimate backyard wedding and a 200-guest ballroom wedding allocate money very differently, and the sliders exist so the plan fits your day.
Frequently asked questions
What is a realistic wedding budget?
It varies enormously by location and guest count. In the US, typical weddings range from $15,000 to $35,000, but intimate weddings can cost far less. Enter whatever number is right for you — the calculator works at any budget.
Where do these default percentages come from?
They reflect commonly cited wedding spending breakdowns: roughly 40% venue and rentals, 20%+ catering, 10% photography and video, with the rest spread across attire, flowers, music, and details.
What if my percentages add up to more than 100%?
The calculator shows a warning and the "remaining" amount goes negative. Lower some sliders until the total is at or under 100%.
Is my budget data saved or shared?
No. All calculations happen in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, stored, or shared with anyone.