Wedding Budget Calculator (by Percentage)

Split your wedding budget by percentage and see the dollar amount for every category. Free, no sign-up, nothing saved.

How the calculator works

Enter your total budget and expected guest count, pick a starting split, then change any percentage. Every amount updates instantly, and the total row warns you if your categories add up to more or less than 100%. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

The "Traditional reception" split puts about half of the budget into venue and catering, the two categories that grow with every guest. The other presets move money toward what you care about most. They're our suggested starting points, explained in detail in our wedding budget breakdown by percentage, not an industry standard.

Benchmarks to compare against

From The Knot 2026 Real Weddings Study (10,474 US couples married in 2025): the average wedding cost about $34,000 and the median $24,000; couples spent an average of $292 per guest, and catering averaged $80 per person. Weddings with 1 to 50 guests averaged $17,100, with 51 to 100 guests $27,200 and with more than 100 guests $43,300. (Source.)

What to do with your numbers

1. Copy the rows into Excel or Google Sheets with the button above.
2. Add Quoted and Spent columns next to each category as quotes come in. Our wedding budget spreadsheet guide shows the formulas.
3. Check your guest count with the guest count calculator, since it drives most of your costs.

Frequently asked questions

What's a good wedding budget breakdown by percentage?

A common starting point is about half for venue and catering, 10 to 12% for photography and video, 8% for flowers and décor, 7% for attire, 6% for music, small amounts for stationery, transport and favors, and a 5 to 10% buffer.

Does the calculator save my numbers?

No. It runs entirely in your browser and stores nothing. Use "Copy as spreadsheet rows" or "Print" to keep a copy.

Why is there a buffer category?

Tips, service charges, taxes and forgotten items add up. Keeping 5 to 10% unassigned is the easiest way to stay on budget.