How to split a wedding budget, with an example
Short answer
Start by setting your total, then give about 45% to venue and catering, keep 10% aside for surprises, and share the rest across everything else. Treat this as a starting point: prices vary widely by country and season, so adjust it once you have real quotes.
Recommended tool: Wedding planner
A starting split
This is our suggested starting point, not an industry statistic. Here it is applied to a total of €20,000:
| Category | Share | On €20,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Venue and catering | 45% | €9,000 |
| Photo and video | 12% | €2,400 |
| Outfits, hair and make-up | 8% | €1,600 |
| Flowers and decoration | 8% | €1,600 |
| Music | 5% | €1,000 |
| Rings | 3% | €600 |
| Invitations and stationery | 2% | €400 |
| Transport and everything else | 7% | €1,400 |
| Surprises | 10% | €2,000 |
Make it yours in four steps
- Agree on the total first. Work out what you can save and what family will give, and include only money that is confirmed.
- Pick your top two priorities each. Spend more there and less on what neither of you will remember.
- Work out your cost per guest. Catering and drinks grow with every guest, so this is your strongest lever.
- Replace percentages with quotes. As soon as you have a real price, update the plan and take any difference from a specific category.
Costs people often forget
- Tax, service charges and overtime on vendor quotes
- Meals for your photographer, band and other vendors
- Delivery, setup and cleaning fees
- Alterations, postage and legal paperwork
- Gifts, tips and accommodation on the night
Track what you owe, not just what you spent
Most vendors take a deposit and collect the rest close to the date, so several large payments can land in the same month. Write down each due date as well as the amount.
Common questions
What is the biggest cost of a wedding?
Venue and catering are usually the biggest cost, which is why the guest count has so much effect on the total.
How much should we keep for unexpected costs?
Around 10% is a sensible cushion. If it is still there at the end, you can put it towards your honeymoon.
How do we spend less without it showing?
Reduce the guest list first, then consider an off-season date or a weekday. Each of these usually saves more than many small cuts.
Budget, guests, seating and a checklist in one file, with no subscription.See itBuy on Etsy