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 Wedlii's suggested starting point, the same guide used in the Wedlii budget planner. They add up to 97%, leaving a little for optional extras. Your 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 contingency. 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 it gets the share it does in Wedlii's budget guide, and a tip to make it go further. The split adds up to about 97%, leaving a little for optional extras.
| Category | Suggested share | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | 25% | Venue hire for your ceremony and reception, and any venue fees. |
| Catering and drinks | 20% | Food, drinks, and service staff. |
| Photographer | 9% | Your photographer's time on the day, editing, and your gallery. |
| Videographer | 5% | Filming on the day and your edited wedding film. |
| Florist | 6% | Bouquets, buttonholes, and ceremony and table flowers. |
| Styling, decor and hire | 5% | Furniture, arbours, linen, lighting, signage and decorations. |
| Music, DJ or band | 4% | Ceremony musicians, your band or DJ, and sound equipment. |
| Wedding dress and alterations | 5% | Your dress, alterations, veil, shoes and accessories. |
| Menswear | 2% | Suits, tailoring and accessories. |
| Hair and makeup | 2% | Hair and makeup on the day, and your trial. |
| Celebrant | 2% | Your celebrant, your ceremony, and the legal paperwork. |
| Transport | 2% | Wedding cars and any guest shuttle. |
| Wedding rings | 2% | Both wedding bands. Many couples budget for the engagement ring separately. |
| Cake | 1.5% | Your wedding cake or desserts, and any cake cutting fee. |
| Stationery and signage | 1.5% | Save the dates, invitations, signage, menus and place cards. |
| Favours and gifts | 1% | Thank-you gifts for your wedding party and family, and any guest favours. |
| Contingency and extras | 4% | Extra guests, price changes and last-minute items. |
Venue: about 25%
Your venue sets your date, guest numbers and style, so it's usually the biggest single cost.
Tip: Ask exactly what's included, like tables, chairs, staff and setup, before you compare venues.
Catering and drinks: about 20%
It grows with every guest you invite, so it's the second biggest part of most budgets.
Tip: Your guest count drives this more than anything else. Lock in your numbers before you sign.
Photographer: about 9%
Your photos are what you keep and share long after the day.
Tip: Check how many hours are included, and whether travel and an album are extra.
Videographer: about 5%
A film captures voices, vows and speeches in a way photos can't.
Tip: Ask what length of film you'll get, and whether the ceremony and speeches are included in full.
Florist: about 6%
Flowers shape how your day looks in person and in photos.
Tip: Seasonal flowers, and moving ceremony pieces to the reception, can stretch this further.
Styling, decor and hire: about 5%
Styling brings your look together, especially at a blank-canvas venue.
Tip: Check what your venue already provides before you hire extra pieces.
Music, DJ or band: about 4%
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 dress and alterations: about 5%
Alterations and accessories add up quickly on top of the dress itself.
Tip: Leave room in this amount for alterations. They're easy to forget.
Menswear: about 2%
Whether you buy or hire, it's worth setting an amount early.
Tip: Hiring for the wedding party can keep everyone matching and costs down.
Hair and makeup: about 2%
It helps you feel your best, all day and in every photo.
Tip: Ask about travel fees and the cost for your wedding party too.
Celebrant: about 2%
A small part of the budget, but your ceremony can't happen without them.
Tip: If you're marrying on a beach or in a park, check the permit rules in our local wedding guides.
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.
Wedding rings: about 2%
Rings are worn every day, so it's worth setting a clear amount early.
Tip: Order them a few months ahead in case they need resizing or engraving.
Cake: about 1.5%
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.
Stationery and signage: about 1.5%
It sets the tone for your wedding before guests arrive.
Tip: Digital invitations can save on printing and postage.
Favours and gifts: about 1%
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.
Contingency and extras: about 4%
Almost every wedding has a few surprises. Setting this aside means they don't become stress.
Tip: Try not to spend this until the final month.
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, Wedlii suggests about 25% for your venue, 20% for catering and drinks, 9% for your photographer and 4% as a contingency. Then adjust the rest to match what matters most to you.
Why are the venue and catering such a big part of the wedding budget?
Together they make up about 45% of Wedlii's suggested split, because catering grows with every guest and your venue sets your numbers. Cutting your guest list is often the quickest way to bring your total down.
How much should we keep aside for unexpected wedding costs?
Wedlii's guide sets aside about 4% as a contingency for extra guests, price changes and last-minute items, and leaves a little more unallocated for optional extras.
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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