Choose a US state, guest count and style. Build the whole plan—from preparation to the trip home—with editable expenses, fees and a buffer. Your budget is a limit to compare against, not a target the estimate automatically fits.
Planning model · USD · not a quote. State survey averages provide historical context. Category splits, 100-guest normalization, style/date/location factors and uncertainty bands are editorial assumptions—not measured prices for your event. Replace them with written local quotes.
Which plans fit my income?
Optional. Enter one income or the couple’s combined income, with matching expenses. All amounts are USD. Include a monthly allowance for irregular expenses. Keep emergency funds out of wedding savings. Fill every field; enter 0 where appropriate.
Personal matching stays off until every field is filled.
Calculated only in tab memory: income is not sent to a server or AI, stored in browser storage or included in the CSV. “Clear income details” clears this form. Future savings cannot pay a deposit today. No loans, expected gifts, interest, inflation or income growth are assumed. Try different scenarios if income varies. This is a planning tool, not financial advice.
Choose a feeling, not a “correct” wedding. These are original ideas and editable examples, not venue offers. We do not promise a free wedding: even a simple plan may involve paperwork, food and travel costs.
♡0 guests · no reception
Just the two of you
Make it official, wear something you love, have lunch together and take a few photos.
$750 modeled event allowance
Excludes rings, other preparation, honeymoon and contingency. See the calculator for the all-in total.
How to make it work
Keep it simple: Existing outfits, no invitations and a short photo session instead of full-day coverage.
Do not miss: Check local marriage procedures, witness requirements, fees and appointment availability. Our ceremony allowance is not an actual license fee.
⌂12 guests · dinner at home
A dinner at home
One big table, favorite food, stories about you and a playlist that feels like yours.
$1,624 modeled event allowance
Excludes rings, other preparation, honeymoon and contingency. See the calculator for the all-in total.
How to make it work
Keep it simple: Prepared food or a simple menu; friends help only if they want to, not as unpaid catering staff.
Do not miss: Count cleanup, dishes, refrigeration, delivery and the hosts’ time. Check property permissions and noise rules.
☀25 guests · outdoors
A picnic and games with friends
Blankets, simple food, lawn games and informal toasts. A relaxed party for friends of any age.
$2,549 modeled event allowance
Excludes rings, other preparation, honeymoon and contingency. See the calculator for the all-in total.
How to make it work
Keep it simple: A daytime gathering and minimal decor. Do not assume guests will fund the event for you.
Do not miss: Check venue permissions, toilets, accessibility, food and alcohol rules. Budget for a sheltered weather backup.
✧30 guests · restaurant
Your favorite restaurant
A separate ceremony followed by a relaxed dinner in a private room or small restaurant.
$11,856 modeled event allowance
Excludes rings, other preparation, honeymoon and contingency. See the calculator for the all-in total.
How to make it work
Keep it simple: Ask about set menus, furniture and tableware included in the package; remove overlapping lines.
Do not miss: Check minimum spend, room fees, service, corkage, closing time and guest accessibility.
♫60 guests · dance party
Make it official, then hit the dance floor
Skip the long program: short toasts, clearly planned substantial food, a DJ and dancing.
$14,425 modeled event allowance
Excludes rings, other preparation, honeymoon and contingency. See the calculator for the all-in total.
How to make it work
Keep it simple: Less decor and staging; shorten the program rather than leaving guests hungry.
Do not miss: A party is not automatically cheaper. Sound, food, security, alcohol, venue age restrictions and late transport can add up.
◎150 guests · simple hall
A big gathering without a palace
A simple hall, shared tables, a straightforward menu and plenty of conversation—people first, decor second.
$16,932 modeled event allowance
Excludes rings, other preparation, honeymoon and contingency. See the calculator for the all-in total.
How to make it work
Keep it simple: Compare halls and menus, consider a less sought-after date and simplify decor. A large guest list still needs funding.
Do not miss: Check capacity, staff, furniture, kitchen facilities, cleanup and transport. An empty hall may require many separate rentals.
◇180 guests · full day
The big classic wedding
A ceremony, dinner, hosting or DJ, photography and a full celebration with family and friends.
$54,896 modeled event allowance
Excludes rings, other preparation, honeymoon and contingency. See the calculator for the all-in total.
How to make it work
Keep it simple: Pick a few priorities instead of upgrading everything; compare what full packages actually include.
Do not miss: Check vendor meals, coverage hours, service fees, transport and who can approve spending beyond the plan.
△16 guests · a weekend together
A small wedding adventure
A small group, an event-approved countryside setting, a walk, dinner and time to slow down.
$23,682 modeled event allowance
Excludes rings, other preparation, honeymoon and contingency. See the calculator for the all-in total.
How to make it work
Keep it simple: Fewer guests and fewer formalities. You could postpone the honeymoon, but decide together rather than silently dropping it.
Do not miss: A lodging rental does not imply event permission. Check event rules, overnight stays, transport and who pays. The $2,500 preparation allowance is an example, not a weekend quote.
Food and drinks count guests plus the two of you. Check vendor meals separately.
3. Tax, fees and contingency
Not a state tax calculation. Defaults add 20% to food and bar, then 8% to all vendors plus service. Verify bases and rates with vendors. If entered prices already include these charges, set the relevant rates to 0 to avoid double counting.
Where the money goes
Exclude items or enter your own prices before tax and fees. Your amounts stay when you change the state or style until reset. If a package includes food or rentals, do not count them again.
Modeled as fixed
Guest-dependent
Guest-dependent
Modeled as fixed
Modeled as fixed
Partly guest-dependent
Modeled as fixed
Modeled as fixed
Guest-dependent
Modeled as fixed
Modeled as fixed
Guest-dependent
Vendor subtotal before add-ons
$34,200
Service: food + bar only
$2,531
Tax allowance: vendors + service
$2,938
Additional tips
$0
In this scenario, 10 fewer guests: $2,094 modeled savings. Fixed and manually entered amounts do not shrink; real venue minimums may prevent this saving.
How the estimate works
State references: The Knot 2026, surveying 10,474 couples married in 2025 from The Knot/WeddingWire members. Ceremony and reception, excluding engagement rings. Not a census, median or current price list.
The model uses the reference as a scale, not a reconstruction of the survey total. Automatic line = reference × style × local factor × date factor × category share × guest adjustment. Simple/classic/premium use 0.45/1/1.75. At 100 guests the guest adjustment is 1; guest-dependent lines scale proportionally, while decor is half fixed. Small weddings and package minimums need manual quotes.
Open formulas and limitations
Editorial category shares before guest adjustments: Venue 25%; Food, desserts and vendor meals 28%; Drinks and bar 9%; Photography and video 10%; Music and hosting 5%; Flowers and decor 6%; Outfits, shoes and alterations 5%; Hair, makeup and trials 2%; Invitations and small favors 2%; Ceremony and license allowance 1%; Planner / coordinator 4%; Rentals, delivery and logistics 3%.
Service applies to food and bar; the tax allowance applies to vendors plus service. This is a simplification, not state tax law. Historical averages and vendor packages may already include charges: verify inclusions and zero out overlapping lines or rates. Tips are separate; a fee is not necessarily gratuity. The model does not determine actual license fees.
Honeymoon = total travel for two + nights × room + (nights + 1) × daily spending for two. Contingency applies to the event, rings, preparation and travel combined. The −25%/+35% band is model sensitivity, not a confidence interval or guarantee. Not included unless added: guest travel/accommodation you pay for, extra events, permits, insurance, weather backup, overtime and lawyers. No borrowing recommendation.