How much does a wedding cost?
Wedding costs vary greatly by location and choices. This tool uses transparent planning estimates based on guest count, venue level, catering style, and photography level. These are planning assumptions, not live vendor prices.
Methodology
| Assumption | Tool value |
|---|---|
| Major city base per guest | $250 |
| Smaller city base per guest | $190 |
| Rural base per guest | $150 |
| Budget venue | 0.85× |
| Mid-range venue | 1.00× |
| Premium venue | 1.30× |
| Buffet | 1.00× |
| Plated | 1.12× |
| Food stations | 1.08× |
| Basic photography | $1,500 |
| Standard photography | $3,000 |
| Premium photography | $5,500 |
Examples
50 guests
Major city, mid-range venue, buffet, standard photography: 50 × $250 + $3,000 = $15,500.
100 guests
Smaller city, mid-range venue, buffet, standard photography: 100 × $190 + $3,000 = $22,000.
200 guests
Major city, premium venue, plated catering, premium photography: 200 × $250 × 1.30 × 1.12 + $5,500 = $78,300.
Common mistakes
- Comparing venue quotes without including guest-driven costs.
- Treating planning estimates as guaranteed vendor prices.
- Forgetting photography, staffing, or service-related costs.
FAQs
How much does a 50-person wedding cost?
It depends on the local market and choices; this tool provides a transparent estimate from its planning assumptions.
How much does a 100-person wedding cost?
Guest-driven costs can make a 100-person wedding substantially more expensive than a 50-person event.
How much does a 200-person wedding cost?
A large guest count magnifies per-person costs, especially with premium venue and catering choices.
Is a wedding in a major city more expensive?
Often it can be, which is why this tool uses different planning assumptions by location type.
What is a realistic wedding budget?
A realistic budget is one that covers the chosen guest count and priorities with a buffer for items outside the initial estimate.