Wedding budget calculator and guide
By Emma Wiseman, founder of Wedlii
Enter your total wedding budget to see a suggested split by category, with what each part covers and why.
Change any percentage to match what matters most to you. Your numbers are saved on this device.
Your suggested budget split
Tap a category to see what it covers and why. Change any percentage to match your priorities.
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These percentages are a starting point from our planners, not fixed rules. Your saved numbers stay on this device.
How do you set a wedding budget?
Start with the total you can comfortably spend, choose your top three priorities, then split the rest. Our planners suggest these five steps.
- Agree on your total first. Talk about what you can comfortably spend, and whether anyone else is contributing, before you look at venues.
- Pick your top three. Choose the three things that matter most to you both, like photos, food or music, and give them a bigger share.
- Set your guest count early. Every guest adds to venue, food and drinks, so your guest list shapes your budget more than anything else.
- Keep a buffer. Set aside part of your budget for surprises, so one unexpected cost doesn't throw out your whole plan.
- Track quotes, deposits and due dates. Write down every quote, what you've paid and when the next payment is due, so nothing sneaks up on you.
What does each part of a wedding budget cover?
Here's what goes into each category, why our planners suggest the share they do, and a tip to make it go further.
| Category | Suggested share | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Venue, food and drinks | 45% | Venue hire, catering, drinks, and staff on the day. |
| Photography and videography | 12% | Your photographer, videographer, and any albums or prints. |
| Outfits, hair and makeup | 8% | Dress or suit, alterations, shoes, accessories, hair and makeup, and trials. |
| Flowers and styling | 8% | Bouquets, buttonholes, ceremony and table flowers, hire items and decorations. |
| Music and entertainment | 5% | Ceremony musicians, band or DJ, and MC. |
| Wedding rings | 3% | Both wedding bands. Many couples budget for the engagement ring separately. |
| Celebrant and ceremony | 3% | Your celebrant, ceremony setup, and any permit for a public ceremony spot. |
| Invitations and stationery | 2% | Save the dates, invitations, signage, menus and place cards. |
| Cake and desserts | 2% | Wedding cake, dessert table, and any cake cutting fee from your venue. |
| Transport | 2% | Wedding cars and any guest shuttle between the ceremony and reception. |
| Gifts and favours | 2% | Thank-you gifts for your wedding party and family, and any guest favours. |
| Buffer for the unexpected | 8% | Extra guests, price changes, last-minute items and anything you didn't plan for. |
Venue, food and drinks: about 45%
This is usually the biggest part of any wedding, because it grows with every guest you invite.
Tip: Your guest count drives this number more than anything else. Lock in your numbers before you sign.
Photography and videography: about 12%
The photos and film are what you keep long after the day, so many couples prioritise them.
Tip: Check how many hours are included, and whether travel and an edited gallery are part of the package.
Outfits, hair and makeup: about 8%
It's personal and adds up quickly once alterations and accessories are counted.
Tip: Leave room for alterations and a hair and makeup trial. They're easy to forget.
Flowers and styling: about 8%
Styling shapes how your day looks in person and in photos.
Tip: Seasonal flowers and moving ceremony pieces to the reception can stretch this further.
Music and entertainment: about 5%
Music keeps the night flowing and gets people on the dance floor.
Tip: Ask whether the sound system and ceremony music are included, or extra.
Wedding rings: about 3%
Rings are worn every day, so it's worth setting a clear amount early.
Tip: Order them at least a few months ahead in case they need resizing or engraving.
Celebrant and ceremony: about 3%
A small part of the budget, but your ceremony can't happen without it.
Tip: If you're marrying on a beach or in a park, check the permit rules in our local wedding guides.
Invitations and stationery: about 2%
It sets the tone for your wedding before guests arrive.
Tip: A wedding website or digital invitations can save on printing and postage.
Cake and desserts: about 2%
A sweet moment in the evening, and often a centrepiece in photos.
Tip: Ask your venue whether they charge a cake cutting or serving fee.
Transport: about 2%
Getting everyone where they need to be on time keeps the day calm.
Tip: A guest shuttle helps when venues are apart or parking is limited.
Gifts and favours: about 2%
A small thank you to the people who helped make it happen.
Tip: Favours are optional. Many couples skip them and put the money elsewhere.
Buffer for the unexpected: about 8%
Almost every wedding has a few surprises. A buffer means they don't become stress.
Tip: Try not to spend this until the final month. If it's left over, enjoy it on your honeymoon.
Planning numbers too? Try our guest count calculator, since your guest list shapes your budget more than anything else.
Good to know
How should we split our wedding budget?
As a starting point, our planners suggest putting about 45% towards your venue, food and drinks, 12% towards photography and video, and keeping about 8% as a buffer. Then adjust the rest to match what matters most to you.
Why is the venue such a big part of the wedding budget?
Your venue, food and drinks usually grow with every guest, so they take the largest share. Cutting your guest list is often the quickest way to bring your total down.
How much should we keep aside for unexpected wedding costs?
Our planners suggest keeping around 5 to 10% of your total as a buffer for extra guests, price changes and last-minute items.
Should the engagement ring be part of the wedding budget?
Many couples budget for the engagement ring separately, and include only the wedding bands in their wedding budget. Choose whatever makes your numbers clearest.
How do we stay on budget while planning?
Agree on your total and top priorities first, get quotes before you commit, and track every deposit and due date in one place.
Keep it all in Wedlii
In Wedlii, your budget sits alongside your checklist, guest list and suppliers, so you can track real quotes, deposits and due dates in one login, with Ask Wedlii, our AI planner, on hand day and night.
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