The average wedding costs $33,000 in the US, £23,420 in the UK, and $41,400 in Australia123—but your budget should reflect your finances, not national averages. Here's how to set a realistic wedding budget, allocate funds by category, and track spending without stress.
Step 1: Determine Your Total Budget
Before browsing venues or Pinterest, calculate exactly how much you can spend. Your total budget comes from three sources:
Your Combined Savings
Add up what you and your partner can comfortably contribute without going into debt. Financial experts recommend keeping at least three months of emergency savings intact.
Monthly Contributions Until the Wedding
If your wedding is 12 months away and you can save $500/month together, that adds $6,000 to your budget. Be realistic—don't count on windfalls or bonuses that aren't guaranteed.
Family Contributions
Have direct conversations with both families early. In the UK, 63% of couples receive financial gifts from family members2. In Canada, couples fund about 60% of wedding costs from their own savings, with family covering the rest4.
The crucial conversation: Discuss money openly with your partner before anything else. Topics to cover:
- Maximum comfortable spending (not aspirational, but realistic)
- Who is contributing what and when
- What matters most to each of you
- What you're willing to skip or DIY
Average Wedding Costs by Country (2024-2025)
Wedding costs vary dramatically by region. Here's what couples actually spent in 2024:
| Country | Average Cost | Median Cost | Avg. Guests | Cost Per Guest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $33,000 USD1 | $13,195 USD5 | 117 | $282 |
| United Kingdom | £23,420 GBP2 | ~£18,000 GBP | 80 | £293 |
| Australia | $41,400 AUD3 | ~$35,000 AUD | 91 | $455 |
| Canada | $29,000 CAD4 | ~$22,000 CAD | 100 | $290 |
Why the gap between average and median? Wedding spending is highly skewed. A few luxury weddings at $100,000+ pull the average up significantly. The median (where half of couples spend less, half spend more) is more representative of typical weddings.
Regional Variations Within Countries
Location within your country matters enormously:
| Region | Average Cost | vs National Average |
|---|---|---|
| New York City, US | $65,000+ USD | +97% |
| London, UK | £36,778 GBP2 | +57% |
| New South Wales, AU | $49,900 AUD3 | +21% |
| Greater Toronto, CA | $35,000+ CAD | +21% |
| Rural areas | 25-40% below national average | -25-40% |
Step 2: Allocate Budget by Category
Once you know your total, divide it across categories. This standard allocation works for most couples:
| Category | % of Budget | $30K Budget | $50K Budget | £25K Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | 25-30% | $7,500-$9,000 | $12,500-$15,000 | £6,250-£7,500 |
| Catering & Drinks | 20-25% | $6,000-$7,500 | $10,000-$12,500 | £5,000-£6,250 |
| Photography & Video | 10-15% | $3,000-$4,500 | $5,000-$7,500 | £2,500-£3,750 |
| Music & Entertainment | 5-10% | $1,500-$3,000 | $2,500-$5,000 | £1,250-£2,500 |
| Flowers & Decor | 5-10% | $1,500-$3,000 | $2,500-$5,000 | £1,250-£2,500 |
| Attire & Beauty | 5-10% | $1,500-$3,000 | $2,500-$5,000 | £1,250-£2,500 |
| Stationery | 2-3% | $600-$900 | $1,000-$1,500 | £500-£750 |
| Transport | 2-3% | $600-$900 | $1,000-$1,500 | £500-£750 |
| Contingency Buffer | 10-15% | $3,000-$4,500 | $5,000-$7,500 | £2,500-£3,750 |
The 10-15% Contingency Rule
More than half of all couples exceed their original budget—51% in the UK2 and similar rates elsewhere. Couples typically overspend by 18% on average in Australia3. Your buffer absorbs:
- Vendor tips (15-20% for catering staff, drivers, stylists)
- Last-minute rentals or purchases
- Price increases between booking and wedding day
- Unexpected extras that feel essential once planning begins
If you don't use your buffer, redirect it to your honeymoon fund.
Step 3: Calculate Per-Guest Costs
Guest count is the single biggest factor in wedding costs. Each guest adds:
- Catering and drinks ($50-$150+ per person)
- Table settings, linens, centerpieces
- Favours and welcome bags
- Additional venue space and seating
- Invitation and stationery costs
The math is simple: Cutting 20 guests from a 120-person wedding at $200/guest saves $4,000. That could upgrade your photographer, extend your honeymoon, or build your emergency fund.
Per-Guest Benchmarks by Budget Level
| Wedding Style | Per-Guest Budget | 80 Guests | 120 Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget-conscious | $150-$200 | $12,000-$16,000 | $18,000-$24,000 |
| Mid-range | $250-$350 | $20,000-$28,000 | $30,000-$42,000 |
| Upscale | $400-$500 | $32,000-$40,000 | $48,000-$60,000 |
| Luxury | $600+ | $48,000+ | $72,000+ |
Step 4: Track Every Expense
The difference between couples who stay on budget and those who don't? Consistent tracking. Set up a system from day one.
What to Track for Each Vendor
- Estimated cost (your budget allocation)
- Quoted cost (actual vendor quote)
- Deposit paid (amount and date)
- Balance due (remaining amount)
- Payment deadline (when final payment is due)
- Actual cost (final amount after any changes)
Tracking Tools
- Spreadsheet (Google Sheets or Excel): Most flexible, completely customisable
- Wedding planning apps (The Knot, WeddingWire, Hitched): Built-in budget trackers with category templates
- Shared notes app: For quick updates on the go
- Joint bank account: Dedicated wedding account makes expense tracking automatic
Weekly Budget Check-ins
Schedule a 15-minute weekly review with your partner:
- Update actual costs vs estimates
- Flag any categories trending over budget
- Discuss upcoming payments and deadlines
- Adjust allocations if priorities shift
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Beyond vendor quotes, these expenses catch couples off guard:
| Hidden Cost | Typical Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor tips | $500-$2,000 | 15-20% for service staff, drivers, stylists |
| Dress alterations | $200-$800 | Rarely included in dress price |
| Marriage licence | $25-$100 | Varies by state/country |
| Officiant fee | $100-$500 | If not included with venue |
| Overtime charges | $200-$1,000+ | Venues, DJs, photographers often charge extra hourly |
| Guest transportation | $300-$1,500 | Shuttle buses, taxi subsidies |
| Day-of emergency kit | $50-$150 | Sewing kit, painkillers, stain remover, etc. |
| Thank-you cards & postage | $100-$300 | Often forgotten in initial budget |
Budget-Saving Strategies That Work
If your dream wedding exceeds your budget, consider these proven cost-cutters:
High-Impact Savings
- Off-season dates: January weddings cost 34% less than June in the UK2
- Friday or Sunday weddings: 20-40% venue savings vs Saturday
- Brunch or lunch reception: Lower food and alcohol costs
- Smaller guest list: The most direct path to savings
- Non-traditional venues: Restaurants, parks, family properties
DIY Elements That Make Sense
- Invitations and stationery
- Centerpieces and simple decor
- Wedding favours
- Playlist instead of DJ (for casual celebrations)
- Hair and makeup if you're skilled or have talented friends
Where NOT to Cut Corners
- Photography/video: You'll want quality memories forever
- Food and drinks: Hungry guests are unhappy guests
- Comfortable shoes: You'll be on your feet all day
- Vendor contracts: Read everything; get everything in writing
For more detailed saving tips, see our dedicated guide.
Payment Timeline: When Money Is Due
Managing cash flow is as important as the total budget. Here's a typical payment schedule:
| Timeframe | Payments Due | % of Total Budget |
|---|---|---|
| 12+ months out | Venue deposit, photographer deposit | 15-25% |
| 9-12 months | Caterer deposit, band/DJ deposit | 10-15% |
| 6-9 months | Florist deposit, videographer deposit | 5-10% |
| 3-6 months | Stationery, dress balance, rentals | 15-20% |
| 1-3 months | Caterer balance, vendor finals | 30-40% |
| Week of | Final payments, gratuities | 10-15% |
Cash flow tip: If possible, time family contribution conversations before major deposits are due.
When Your Budget Doesn't Match Your Vision
It happens. You've crunched the numbers, and the wedding you imagined costs more than you can afford. You have three options:
- Extend your timeline: A longer engagement means more time to save
- Reduce scope: Fewer guests, simpler venue, DIY elements
- Shift priorities: Splurge on what matters most, cut everything else
What you should never do: go into significant debt for your wedding. Research consistently shows that couples who overspend on weddings experience more financial stress in marriage.
For a detailed budget breakdown with category-by-category guidance, see our comprehensive cost guide.
Sources and References
Footnotes
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The Knot, 2025 Real Weddings Study, 2025. https://www.theknot.com/content/average-wedding-cost ↩ ↩2
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Hitched/Starling Bank, National Wedding Survey 2024, 2024. https://www.starlingbank.com/blog/average-wedding-cost-in-the-uk/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
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ABIA, How Much Does a Wedding Cost in Australia, 2024. https://abia.com.au/wedding-blog/how-much-does-a-wedding-cost-in-australia ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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MoneySense, What Does the Average Wedding Cost in Canada?, 2024. https://www.moneysense.ca/spend/average-wedding-cost-canada/ ↩ ↩2
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The Wedding Report, US Wedding Market Data, 2024. https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-data-insights/real-weddings-study ↩