Okay, real talk time. You’ve seen those Pinterest weddings and thought “how much does this ACTUALLY cost?” Well, grab your coffee (or wine, no judgment), because we’re about to spill all the tea on what your money really gets you.
The $5K Wedding: The Smart & Intimate Vibe
Here’s the real deal breakdown:
- Venue: $500-800 (think public parks, family backyard, community halls)
- Food & Drinks: $1,500-2,000 (50-75 guests, buffet or food trucks)
- Photography: $800-1,200 (newer photographers or 4-6 hour coverage)
- Attire: $400-600 (sample sales, online finds, rent that tux!)
- Flowers & Decor: $300-500 (DIY centerpieces, grocery store flowers, lots of candles)
- Music: $200-400 (Spotify premium + good speakers, or a DJ friend)
- Invitations & Paper: $100-200 (digital invites or Canva prints)
- Misc (rings, tips, extras): $500-700
Bottom line: This is your “we’re keeping it real and intimate” wedding. Around 50-75 of your favorite humans, lots of DIY love, and honestly? Some couples say these feel the most authentic.
The $10K Wedding: The Sweet Spot
Your money goes like this:
- Venue: $1,500-2,500 (small hotels, barns, restaurant buyouts)
- Food & Drinks: $3,000-4,000 (100 guests, plated dinner or nice buffet)
- Photography & Video: $1,800-2,500 (8 hours + some video coverage)
- Attire: $800-1,200 (actual boutique dress, tailored suit)
- Flowers & Decor: $800-1,200 (florist for main stuff, DIY for extras)
- Music: $600-1,000 (good DJ or small band)
- Invitations & Paper: $200-400 (printed invites, signage)
- Hair & Makeup: $300-500
- Misc (favors, cake, tips): $1,000-1,500
Bottom line: This is where most couples feel they can have their cake and eat it too (pun intended). You’re not stressing about every dollar, but you’re still being smart.
The $20K Wedding: The Full Experience
Here’s where that money flows:
- Venue: $3,000-5,000 (gorgeous spots with epic views or historic buildings)
- Food & Drinks: $6,000-8,000 (120-150 guests, open bar, premium menu)
- Photography & Video: $3,500-5,000 (full day, second shooter, highlight film)
- Attire: $2,000-3,000 (designer dress, custom suit, all the accessories)
- Flowers & Decor: $2,000-3,000 (professional florist doing their thing)
- Music: $1,500-2,500 (quality band or DJ package)
- Planning/Coordination: $1,000-2,000 (day-of coordinator minimum)
- Hair & Makeup: $600-1,000 (for wedding party)
- Stationery: $400-800 (custom invites, programs, menus)
- Misc (cake, favors, transportation): $2,000-3,000
Bottom line: This is your “we want the full wedding experience” budget. You’re getting pros who know their stuff, better quality everything, and way less stress.
Must-Pay vs Nice-to-Have (The Truth Bomb)
MUST-PAY (Don’t even think about skipping):
- Food & drinks – Hangry guests = bad vibes
- Photographer – You can’t redo this day (spring for at least 6 hours)
- Venue – Obviously, you need somewhere to actually do this
- Officiant – Someone’s gotta make it legal
- Your outfits – You should feel amazing
NICE-TO-HAVE (Honestly optional):
- Videographer – Amazing to have, but photos might be enough
- Fancy stationery – Nobody keeps the invitation (sorry not sorry)
- Chair covers – Literally no one notices
- Expensive favors – They’ll leave them behind anyway
- Photo booth – Fun but not essential
- Wedding party gifts – A heartfelt note works too
Hidden Fees That’ll Sneak Up on You 👀
Listen, vendors aren’t trying to trick you, but these costs are REAL:
- Service charges & gratuity: Usually 18-25% on top of catering. Yeah, ouch.
- Overtime fees: That DJ staying an extra hour? Could be $150-300 more.
- Cake cutting fees: Some venues charge $2-5 PER SLICE to cut a cake you brought. Wild, right?
- Corkage fees: Bringing your own wine? Might cost $15-35 per bottle to open it.
- Day-of coordinator requirements: Some venues make you hire one. Budget $500-1,000.
- Delivery & setup fees: That rental company isn’t dropping stuff off for free.
- Vendor meals: You gotta feed your photographer, DJ, etc. Plan for it.
- Sales tax: Depending on your state, this can be 5-10% on EVERYTHING.
Pro tip: When you’re getting quotes, literally ask “what’s NOT included in this price?” Make them spell it out.
3 Ways to Save Without Looking Cheap
1. Pick Your Splurge & Save Strategy
Choose 2-3 things that matter MOST to you and go all in on those. Everything else? Budget-friendly versions. Love good food? Spend there, but skip the fancy invites. Want amazing photos? Invest in that photographer but DIY your decor. Nobody can tell what you spent where.
2. Think Off-Peak Everything
- Sunday-Thursday weddings can save 20-40%
- January, February, March, November = cheaper everything
- Brunch or lunch receptions cost way less than dinner
- Off-season = more vendor availability = better deals
3. Strategic DIY (Not Everything!)
DIY the stuff that’s easy and actually fun:
- Playlist for cocktail hour (not the whole reception)
- Simple centerpieces
- Welcome signs and small decor
- Favors (if you’re doing them at all)
DON’T DIY:
- Day-of coordination (trust me)
- Catering (food poisoning at your wedding = nightmare)
- Your dress alterations (unless you’re literally a seamstress)
- Hair & makeup (not the time to experiment)
Real Talk: Making Your Budget Work
Look, the “average” wedding costs around $30K, but that doesn’t mean YOURS has to. The best weddings I’ve seen aren’t the most expensive ones – they’re the ones where the couple actually planned according to THEIR priorities.
Before you start spending, use our free wedding budget calculator at VowVirtue.com. It literally breaks down where your money should go based on YOUR total budget. No math required, no spreadsheet stress.
Also, grab our wedding timeline generator at VowVirtue.com because knowing WHEN to book stuff saves you money (early bird discounts are real, people).
Your Action Plan
- Figure out your REAL total budget (what you have + what family’s contributing)
- Use the budget calculator to see where that money should go
- List your top 3 must-haves
- Start getting quotes (and asking about hidden fees!)
- Build in a 10% buffer for “oh shit” moments
- Track everything (seriously, use a spreadsheet)
Want our Excel Budget Planner that does all the math for you? Comment BUDGET below and we’ll send it your way! It’s got formulas built in, tracks deposits and payments, and has a section for all those sneaky fees.
Bottom Line
Whether you’re spending $5K or $20K, the key is spending YOUR money in ways that matter to YOU. Some couples would rather have an open bar than a fancy venue. Others want an amazing photographer more than a band. There’s no wrong answer.
The wedding industry wants you to think you need everything, but you don’t. You need food, drinks, someone to marry you, people you love around you, and maybe some good music. Everything else? That’s just extra frosting.
Now go play with that budget calculator and see what your money can really do. And remember – the marriage is what matters, not bankrupting yourself for one day.
Drop a BUDGET comment below for your free Excel planner, and tell us – what’s your must-splurge category?
Ready to plan your wedding without the stress? Check out our free tools:
- Wedding Budget Calculator – Know exactly where your money should go
- Wedding Timeline Generator – Never miss a planning deadline
