Calculating the Average Wedding Budget

cartoon three tier wedding cake with topper and heart on top


One thing to consider when taking a look at the average wedding budget is the size of the guest list. Based on statistics gathered for 2008, the following could be said to be true:

2008 Average Wedding Budget by Number of Guests:

# of Guests InvitedAverage Budget
Less than 50$10,630
Between 50 & 100$17, 467
Between 100 & 200$27,069
Greater than 200$56,904

I'm going to break this down further and then offer you a neat little tool at the end, so be sure to stick around.

So here is the breakdown of the average wedding budget:

2008 Average Spending for Attire & Accessories:

(with forecasted figures for 2009 and 2010)

Item200820092010
Bride Accessories$319$324$329
Groom Accessories$197$200$203
Groom Suit/Tux$252$256$260
Headpiece/veil$318$323$328
Wedding Dress$1,266$1,287$1,308


2008 Average Wedding Budget Spending for Hair and Makeup:

(with forecasted figures for 2009 and 2010)

Item200820092010
Hair/Makeup Service$166$171$176


2008 Average Wedding Budget Spending for the Ceremony:

(with forecasted figures for 2009 and 2010)

Item200820092010
Ceremony Accessories$200$206$212
Ceremony Decorations$576$673$786
Ceremony Locations$776$798$821
Officiate/Pastor/Priest$226$233$240
Rehearsal Dinner$1,300$1,344$1,389

We can break this down further based on number of guests invited.

2008 Spending by Number of Guests for the Ceremony:

ItemLess Than 50Between 50 & 100 Between 100 & 200Greater Than 200
Ceremony Accessories$74$122$189$396
Ceremony Decorations$213$351$543$1,142
Ceremony Locations$287$472$732$1,538
Rehearsal Dinner$481$791$1,226$2,577


2008 Average Wedding Budget Spending for Entertainment:

(with forecasted figures for 2009 and 2010)

Item200820092010
Ceremony/Reception Band $1,786$1,842$1,900
Ceremony/Reception DJ $702$724$747
Ceremony/Reception Musicians $493$508$524


2008 Average Spending for Flowers:

(with forecasted figures for 2009 and 2010)

Item200820092010
Boutonnieres/Corsages $178$169$174
Bride Bouquet $146$150$154
Bridesmaid Bouquets $232$239$246
Ceremony Flowers $428$440$453
Flower Girl Flowers $48$49$50
Reception Flowers$1,010$1,039$1,069


2008 Average Spending for Gifts:

(with forecasted figures for 2009 and 2010)

Item200820092010
Gifts For Attendant $429$441$453
Gifts For Each Other $470$483$496
Gifts For Parents $186$191$196


2008 Average Spending for Honeymoon:

(with forecasted figures for 2009 and 2010)

Item200820092010
Honeymoon $3,805$3,921$4,041


2008 Average Spending for Invitations:

(with forecasted figures for 2009 and 2010)

Item200820092010
Bridal Shower Invitations $87$89$92
Guestbook $50$51$52
Invitations & Reply Cards $431$443$456
Personal Stationery $115$118$121
Save The Date Cards $156$160$165
Thank You Cards $72$74$76


As this category is also very dependent on the number of guests invited, we can further break this down:

2008 Spending by Number of Guest for Invitations:

ItemLess Than 50Between 50 & 100Between 100 & 200Greater Than 200
Invitations & Reply Cards $160$262$406$854
Thank You Cards $27$44$68$143


2008 Average Spending for Jewelry & Rings:

Item200820092010
Engagement Ring $4,332$4,459$4,589
Her Wedding Ring $902$928$955
His Wedding Ring $569$586$603


2008 Average Spending for Photography & Video:

Item200820092010
Photographer $1,956$2,017$2,080
Videographer $1,546$1,594$1,643


2008 Average Spending for Planner:

Item200820092010
Bridal Consultant/Planner $1,483$1,532$1,582


2008 Average Spending for Reception:

Item200820092010
Reception Beverages/Bartender $1,963$2,023$2,085
Bride/Groom Hotel $351$362$373
Cake $544$562$580
Cake Knife Set $44$45$46
Cake Topper $42$43$44
Reception Decorations/Centerpieces $993$1,021$1,050
Favors $342$352$362
Reception Food Service $7,968$8,243$8,528
Reception Location $2,559$2,641$2,726
Reception Rentals $1,052$1,086$1,121


As this category is also very dependent on the number of guests invited, we can further break this down:

2008 Spending by Number of Guest for Reception:

ItemLess Than 50Between 50 & 100Between 100 & 200Greater Than 200
Reception Beverages/Bartender $727$1,195$1,851$3,892
Cake $201$331$513$1,078
Reception Decorations/Centerpieces $368$604$936$1,969
Favors $127$208$323$678
Reception Food Service $2,951$4,849$7,514$15,796
Reception Location $948$1,557$2,413$5,073
Reception Rentals $390$640$992$2,086


2008 Average Spending for Transportation:

Item200820092010
Car Rental $257$265$273
Limo Rental $690$711$732



I hope these figures can give you some idea of how much your own wedding is going to cost, but I have something even better for you to try.

It is based on United States zip codes, so if you are located in the U.S. you can input your zip code and get averages based on where you live. Remember, the costs in a smaller town area are going to be less than a major city, so you can use the reports to compare and maybe plan in a nearby less costly area.

Find Wedding Cost in Your Area

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If you would like to be in more control of what will be included in your wedding budget, then use this next tool. You can check off only those items you will be including in your wedding planning budget.

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