How to calculate wedding budget
Cost per guest = budget ÷ guests; each category = budget × typical share
Worked example. Cost per guest: $250.
Example inputs — Total budget: $30,000; Number of guests: 120. Starting values are illustrative.
From George Guju, founder of Calculyn · Educational calculator guidance, not professional advice.
How it works
Planners commonly put almost half the budget toward the venue and food, since both scale with guest count. Keeping a buffer of around 8% covers the surprises that always come up.
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Assumptions & limitations
- Results are rounded for display.
Formula and assumptions reviewed October 2026 by the Calculyn team. How we build our calculators
Frequently asked questions
How do I lower the cost?
Guest count is the biggest lever — every guest adds catering, seating and stationery costs.