See where your wedding money goes
Enter your total budget and guest count. VowBudget turns them into a category-by-category plan you can adjust and share with your partner — in seconds.
| Category | Amount | Per guest | % of budget | vs typical | Adjust |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Venue & rentals The space, tables, chairs, linens and ceremony site. | — | — | — | ||
Catering & drinks Food, bar, service staff, cake and tastings. | — | — | — | ||
Photography & video Photographer, videographer and engagement shoot. | — | — | — | ||
Attire & beauty Outfits, alterations, hair and makeup. | — | — | — | ||
Flowers & decor Bouquets, centerpieces, lighting and signage. | — | — | — | ||
Entertainment & music DJ or band, ceremony music and sound. | — | — | — | ||
Planner Day-of coordination or full planning. | — | — | — | ||
Everything else Stationery, favors, transport, officiant and contingency. | — | — | — |
Percentages are heuristic midpoints from published wedding-cost studies (Zola, The Knot, 2024–2026) and are estimates, not financial advice. Your numbers stay in your browser; the share link encodes only the plan itself.
Three questions, straight answers
How much does a wedding cost in 2026?
One widely reported 2026 figure is a $34,200 average (pix.wedding, 2026; methodology not independently verified here). Costs vary enormously by region, guest count and venue, so treat averages as context, not a target. Our planner starts from your total budget, not from an average.
How should I split my wedding budget?
Published cost studies cluster around a consistent pattern. VowBudget starts from these midpoints: Venue & rentals 32%, Catering & drinks 28%, Photography & video 9%, Attire & beauty 6%, Flowers & decor 8%, Entertainment & music 6%, Planner 4%, Everything else 7%. You can drag any category and the plan rebalances.
Can I plan a wedding under $10,000?
Yes. Small weddings under $10k usually concentrate spending on venue, food and photography and cut or shrink everything else. Read our small-wedding guide for the order of cuts.