How Much Should We Budget For Our Wedding? Planning Your Dream Wedding? Here’s How Much You Should Budget. How Much Does a Wedding Really Cost? Find Out Here! Wedding Budget Breakdown: What You Need to Know.
When it comes to budgeting for your wedding, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but a good starting point is to consider the average wedding cost, which typically ranges between $20,000 to $30,000.
QUICK ANSWER: $90-$150 per person (dinner at a wedding venue) for a generic menu selection (starter/appetizer, main course, and dessert)
RELATED: DIY Wedding Budget: How To Create Realistically?
Average Wedding Cost: How Much?
The quick answer is that the wedding reception will cost you about:
- $45-$55 per person (cocktail/appetizers only)
- $55-$65 per person (buffet)
- $65-$75 per person (brunch at a wedding venue or restaurant dinner)
- $90-$150 per person (dinner at a wedding venue) for a generic menu selection (starter/appetizer, main course, and dessert)
- $200+ per person (dinner at a higher-end venue) for a generic menu selection (starter/appetizer, main course, and dessert)
- If you are looking to add a standard bar, expect to add about $20-$30 per person on top of the food. For a top-shelf bar, you’re looking to add about $40-50 per person.
A simple wedding with a small guest list and minimal catering and decor may cost around $50-100 per person.
On the other hand, a lavish wedding with a large guest list, elaborate catering, and extravagant decorations could easily cost more than several hundred dollars per person or more.
Of course, this goes without saying that prices will always vary depending on where you are and the choices, preferences, and goals that you have for your wedding. The ranges above are applicable in USD and CAD.
RELATED: Average Wedding Cost : How Much?
However, this number can fluctuate based on your location, guest count, and the type of wedding you envision. Start by listing out your must-haves—venue, catering, photography—and allocate funds based on what’s most important to you.
Usually, this involves dedicating 50% of your budget to the reception, including food, drinks, and venue, 10% to photography/videography, 10% to attire, 10% to entertainment, and the rest to smaller details like flowers, invites, and decor.
How Much Should We Budget For Our Wedding
To get started, sit down with your partner and decide on a total budget that feels comfortable. As well as discuss your priorities. Every couple and family have different goals and priorities. This means the allocation for each vendor and element of the wedding will vary widely. Having this conversation early on with your partner will make it easier for future decisions to be made.
We always suggest creating a template with your partner on how to “qualify” something as important and what percentage or amount is “reasonable” for both of you to allocate.
RELATED: How To Set A Wedding Budget
From there, research local vendors and ask for quotes to get a realistic idea of costs in your area. Always leave a little cushion for unexpected expenses—you never know when something might come up!
With your budget in place, you can prioritize and make choices that align with your vision and financial comfort. The next step is to start booking your top-priority vendors to lock in prices and avoid any surprises later on.
