Wedding Budget Breakdown: How to Actually Allocate Your Money
I’ll be real with you—
Most brides don’t go into wedding planning thinking
“let me build a perfect budget first.”
-They see something cute on tiktok.
-Then something their cousin did.
-Then something their mom insists on.
Before they know it?
Money’s flying everywhere and the budget is just…vibes.
So if you’re here trying to figure out how to actually allocate your wedding budget—the right way, the intentional way—first of all, I’m proud of you.
This part gets skipped a lot.
But it’s the one thing that can save you from months of stress and overspending.
So let’s walk through it together.
I’ll show you exactly how to break your budget down—based on what matters most to you.
(And not what TikTok or your aunties think you “need.”)
---
First: Decide your Total Budget
This is the big number.
Whether it's $50,000, $10,000, or just whatever your savings + family contributions add up to — write it down.
And be honest about your number.
Don't start with what you wish you had.
Start with what’s actually available.
That’s what gives you peace of mind later.
---
Then: Use this basic wedding budget breakdown
Here’s a simple breakdown you can start with.
This doesn’t mean you have to spend it this exact way — but it’s a strong foundation, especially if you’re feeling clueless.
---
Wedding Budget Breakdown (by percentage):
Venue & Rentals – 30%
(This includes the ceremony + reception venue, chairs, tables, tent, lighting, etc.)
Catering & Drinks – 20%
(Food, drinks, wait staff, cake. Basically, anything guests will eat or drink.)
Photography & Videography – 10%
(The people capturing your memories. Yes, it matters.)
Clothing & Beauty – 10%
(Bride’s dress, groom’s outfit, hair, makeup, accessories, etc.)
Decor & Flowers – 10%
(Your tables, centerpieces, florals, backdrops, balloons… all the vibes)
Entertainment – 5%
(DJ, live band, MC, anything fun.)
Stationery & Signage – 3%
(Invites, signage, menus, place cards, or your wedding website.)
Gifts & Favors – 2%
(Souvenirs, bridal party gifts, welcome baskets if you're doing them.)
Marriage License & Officiant – 2%
(That little legal part that actually makes it a marriage.)
Extras & Emergency Buffer – 8%
(Trust me — something will come up.)
---
Now let’s break it down even more so it feels real and usable.
.
.
.
Okay, So how do I apply this to my actual budget?
Let’s say your total wedding budget is $15,000.
Here’s how it could look when you break it down using those percentages:
Venue & Rentals – $4,500
Catering & Drinks – $3,000
Photo/Video – $1,500
Outfits, Hair & Makeup – $1,500
Decor & Flowers – $1,500
Entertainment – $750
Stationery – $450
Favors & Gifts – $300
Officiant/License – $300
Emergency/Extras – $1,200
---
Of course, you don’t have to follow this like a robot.
If food matters more to you than flowers?
Shift things around.
If your venue is free (blessings!) — use that money elsewhere.
The goal isn’t to copy this exactly.
The goal is to give every dollar a job before it disappears.
---
A few little reminders...
1. Vendors won’t always list taxes or service fees upfront.
So leave some breathing room in your budget — especially in that “extras” category.
2. Decide what matters to you, not what Pinterest says should matter.
You don’t need custom champagne walls. But if that’s your dream and you’re cutting costs somewhere else? Go for it.
3. Don’t forget pre-wedding and post-wedding costs.
Engagement shoot. Bridal shower. Marriage counseling. Hotel. Next-day brunch.
These things sneak up if you don’t plan for them.
4. Please don’t spend your entire savings.
I know the pressure is real, but married life is coming.
Save some energy (and money) for it.
---
One more thing ...
You can totally do this with a pen and paper, but if you’re more of a spreadsheet girly (or just want your math to math), I made a free wedding budget breakdown tool for you.
[Here's the link to the budget breakdown sheet 👈]
(This will you decide how much you should spend on each part of your wedding based on your own budget.
You just put in your total budget, and it shows you an estimate for each category)
---
You’ve got this.
I know budgeting isn’t the fun, cute part of wedding planning.
But it is the part that gives you freedom.
Once your budget is clear, it gets easier to say yes to the right things — and confidently say no to the unnecessary stuff.
---
You’re doing amazing already.
And I’m cheering you on every step of the way.💗
You’ve GOT to read this next...
Think $15K isn’t enough for a beautiful wedding?
Let’s change that. Here’s the no-fluff, actually-doable guide to planning a day you love—without losing your mind or maxing your cards.
Not sure who to tip or how much on your wedding day? Don’t worry—I break it all down for you in the chillest, least stressful way possible.
No guesswork, no pressure, just real talk and simple numbers you can actually use
14 controversial things you can cut from your wedding without ruining the vibe—some of these might ruffle feathers, but they’ll save you stress and serious cash.
Ready to question everything you thought you “had” to do?
Think you’ve got your wedding budget under control?
Think again. Hidden costs add up fast! From sneaky fees to last-minute expenses, here’s how to avoid budget mistakes before they derail your big day