Each wedding guest costs $200-$300 on average in the US, £150-£250 in the UK, and A$250-$380 in Australia.1 Understanding how guest count affects your total budget is the single most important factor in wedding planning.
This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what you'll spend per guest across three major markets, helping you make informed decisions about your guest list and budget allocation.
Cost Per Guest by Region (2025)
Wedding costs vary significantly by country due to differences in venue pricing, catering traditions, and local vendor markets. Here's what couples are actually spending per guest in 2025:
| Wedding Style | United States (USD) | United Kingdom (GBP) | Australia (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $100-$150 | £80-£120 | A$120-$180 |
| Mid-range | $200-$300 | £150-£250 | A$250-$350 |
| Upscale | $350-$500 | £280-£400 | A$400-$550 |
| Luxury | $500+ | £450+ | A$600+ |
These per-guest figures include all variable costs: catering, drinks, venue space per person, invitations, favors, and seating arrangements.2
Regional Cost Differences Explained
United States: The average US wedding costs $36,000 according to Zola's 2025 First Look Report, with significant regional variation.3 New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco weddings run 40-60% higher than the national average, while Midwestern and Southern states offer better value.
United Kingdom: UK couples spend an average of £20,000-£25,625 on their wedding, with London and the South East commanding premium prices.4 The average number of guests at UK weddings is 83-89, with catering alone costing £70-£120 per head.
Australia: Australian weddings average A$38,252, with Sydney and Melbourne being the most expensive cities.5 Regional venues in Victoria and Queensland offer 25-35% savings compared to metropolitan areas.
Total Wedding Cost by Guest Count
Your guest count directly determines whether you're planning a $15,000 celebration or a $70,000 event. Here's the complete breakdown:
25 Guests (Micro Wedding)
| Country | Budget | Mid-range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (USD) | $5,000-$7,500 | $8,000-$12,000 | $15,000-$20,000 |
| UK (GBP) | £3,500-£5,000 | £6,000-£9,000 | £12,000-£16,000 |
| Australia (AUD) | A$5,000-$8,000 | A$10,000-$15,000 | A$18,000-$25,000 |
Micro weddings have the lowest total cost but the highest per-guest cost because fixed expenses (photographer, officiant, venue minimum) are divided among fewer people.
50 Guests
| Country | Budget | Mid-range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (USD) | $7,500-$12,000 | $15,000-$22,000 | $25,000-$35,000 |
| UK (GBP) | £5,500-£8,000 | £10,000-£15,000 | £20,000-£28,000 |
| Australia (AUD) | A$8,000-$12,000 | A$18,000-$25,000 | A$30,000-$42,000 |
At 50 guests, you hit the minimum threshold for most traditional venues and can access competitive catering rates.
75 Guests
| Country | Budget | Mid-range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (USD) | $10,000-$15,000 | $20,000-$30,000 | $35,000-$48,000 |
| UK (GBP) | £7,500-£11,000 | £14,000-£20,000 | £28,000-£38,000 |
| Australia (AUD) | A$12,000-$18,000 | A$25,000-$35,000 | A$45,000-$58,000 |
The 75-guest mark is often the value sweet spot, combining reasonable per-guest costs with enough attendees for a celebratory atmosphere.
100 Guests
| Country | Budget | Mid-range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (USD) | $15,000-$20,000 | $28,000-$38,000 | $45,000-$65,000 |
| UK (GBP) | £10,000-£14,000 | £18,000-£28,000 | £38,000-£52,000 |
| Australia (AUD) | A$15,000-$22,000 | A$32,000-$45,000 | A$55,000-$75,000 |
100 guests is the most common wedding size in the US, giving couples access to the widest range of venue options and vendor packages.6
150 Guests
| Country | Budget | Mid-range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (USD) | $22,000-$30,000 | $40,000-$55,000 | $65,000-$90,000 |
| UK (GBP) | £15,000-£20,000 | £28,000-£42,000 | £55,000-£75,000 |
| Australia (AUD) | A$22,000-$32,000 | A$48,000-$65,000 | A$80,000-$110,000 |
At 150 guests, venue selection becomes critical as many boutique and historic venues cannot accommodate this size without tenting or split spaces.
200+ Guests
| Country | Budget | Mid-range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (USD) | $30,000-$42,000 | $55,000-$75,000 | $90,000-$130,000+ |
| UK (GBP) | £20,000-£28,000 | £38,000-£55,000 | £75,000-$100,000+ |
| Australia (AUD) | A$30,000-$45,000 | A$65,000-$90,000 | A$110,000-$160,000+ |
Large weddings require purpose-built venues like ballrooms, estates, or tented spaces. While per-guest costs decrease, you'll need larger budgets for upgraded sound systems, multiple bars, and additional staff.
Understanding Fixed vs. Variable Costs
Every wedding budget contains two types of expenses. Understanding this distinction helps you calculate exactly how much each additional guest adds to your total.
Fixed Costs (Independent of Guest Count)
These expenses remain constant whether you invite 50 or 200 guests:
| Category | US Range | UK Range | AU Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photography | $2,500-$6,000 | £1,500-£4,000 | A$3,000-$7,000 |
| Videography | $1,800-$4,500 | £1,200-£3,500 | A$2,500-$6,000 |
| DJ/Band | $1,200-$4,000 | £800-£2,500 | A$1,500-$4,500 |
| Officiant | $200-$800 | £150-£500 | A$300-$900 |
| Wedding Dress | $1,500-$4,000 | £1,000-£3,000 | A$2,000-$5,000 |
| Rings | $2,000-$8,000 | £1,500-£6,000 | A$3,000-$10,000 |
| Hair & Makeup | $300-$800 | £200-£500 | A$400-$900 |
| Marriage License | $30-$150 | £50-£150 | A$50-$200 |
Total Fixed Costs: Approximately $10,000-$30,000 (US) remains constant regardless of guest count.
Variable Costs (Increase Per Guest)
These expenses scale directly with your guest list:
| Category | Cost Per Guest (US) | Cost Per Guest (UK) | Cost Per Guest (AU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catering (plated) | $85-$150 | £70-£120 | A$100-$150 |
| Catering (buffet) | $60-$100 | £50-£85 | A$70-$120 |
| Open bar (standard) | $30-$50 | £25-£40 | A$35-$55 |
| Open bar (premium) | $50-$90 | £40-£75 | A$55-$100 |
| Beer/wine only | $15-$30 | £12-£25 | A$20-$35 |
| Invitations | $5-$10 | £4-£8 | A$6-$12 |
| Favors | $2-$8 | £2-£6 | A$3-$10 |
| Place settings | $5-$15 | £4-£12 | A$6-$18 |
| Chair rentals | $4-$12 | £3-£10 | A$5-$15 |
Total Variable Costs: Each guest adds approximately $150-$280 (US), £100-£200 (UK), or A$180-$320 (AU) to your budget.7
The Economics of Scale
A crucial insight for wedding planning: your cost per guest decreases as your guest count increases, because fixed costs spread across more people.
| Guest Count | Fixed Costs (US) | Variable Costs (US) | Total | Per Guest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 guests | $15,000 | $6,000 | $21,000 | $700 |
| 50 guests | $15,000 | $10,000 | $25,000 | $500 |
| 75 guests | $15,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 | $400 |
| 100 guests | $15,000 | $20,000 | $35,000 | $350 |
| 150 guests | $15,000 | $30,000 | $45,000 | $300 |
This table assumes mid-range variable costs of $200 per guest and $15,000 in fixed costs.8
Key Insight: Cutting 25 guests from a 100-person wedding saves approximately $5,000-$7,000 in variable costs, but your per-person cost rises because those fixed expenses now spread across fewer guests.
Cost Breakdown by Category Per Guest
Here's where your per-guest budget actually goes:
Percentage Allocation Per Guest
| Expense | % of Per-Guest Cost | US Dollar Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catering (food) | 45-50% | $90-$150 |
| Bar service | 15-20% | $30-$60 |
| Venue (space per person) | 10-15% | $20-$45 |
| Stationery | 3-5% | $6-$15 |
| Favors | 1-3% | $2-$9 |
| Linens/rentals | 5-8% | $10-$24 |
| Service charges/tips | 8-12% | $16-$36 |
Catering dominates variable costs, accounting for nearly half of what you spend per guest. This is why food and beverage choices have the biggest impact on your total budget.
Budget Optimization Strategies by Guest Count
For Micro Weddings (Under 50 Guests)
- Consider restaurant buyouts instead of traditional venues
- Upgrade food quality rather than quantity
- Invest more per-guest in premium experiences
- Skip formal catering for chef-prepared intimate dinners
For Medium Weddings (50-100 Guests)
- Negotiate venue minimums (many require 75+ guests)
- Choose stations or family-style over plated service
- Consider Friday or Sunday events for 15-20% savings
- Bundle photography and videography packages
For Large Weddings (150+ Guests)
- Prioritize venues with in-house catering to reduce coordination costs
- Negotiate bulk rates with caterers (per-head often drops at 150+)
- Consider two-tier service: full bar for cocktail hour, beer/wine during dinner
- Book vendors 12-18 months ahead for better rates
Quick Cost Calculator
Use this formula to estimate your total wedding budget:
Total Cost = (Guest Count × Variable Cost Per Guest) + Fixed Costs
Example for 100 US guests (mid-range):
- Variable costs: 100 × $200 = $20,000
- Fixed costs: $15,000
- Total: $35,000
Example for 80 UK guests (mid-range):
- Variable costs: 80 × £175 = £14,000
- Fixed costs: £10,000
- Total: £24,000
Sources and References
Footnotes
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Zola, First Look Report: What Couples Spend on Weddings, 2025. https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/whats-the-average-cost-of-a-wedding ↩
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The Knot, Average Wedding Cost: What You Can Expect to Spend, 2025. https://www.theknot.com/content/average-wedding-cost ↩
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Zola, First Look Report, 2025. Survey of couples married in 2024-2025. ↩
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Hitched UK, National Wedding Survey 2024, 2024. Survey of 3,000+ UK newlyweds. https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/organising-and-planning/average-wedding-cost/ ↩
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Easy Weddings, Annual Wedding Cost Survey, 2025. Survey of 4,000+ Australian couples. https://www.easyweddings.com.au/articles/wedding-cost/ ↩
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The Knot, Real Weddings Study, 2025. Analysis of 17,000 US couples married in 2024. ↩
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Urban Cowboy Catering, Wedding Catering Cost Guide, 2024. https://urbancowboyfood.com/wedding-catering-cost/ ↩
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Nearlywed, Wedding Budget Guide by Guest Count, 2025. https://nearlywed.com/uncategorized/what-to-budget-for-your-wedding-based-on-guest-count/ ↩