By · Updated

Wedding Cost Calculator

Build a Wedding Budget by Guest Count

No ratings yet
Result

—

OneTask is free, with no sign-up, and built by one person.
If this tool saved you time, a coffee helps keep new ones coming.

How the Wedding Cost Calculator works

This wedding cost calculator builds a budget from your own figures. Enter the guest count and what caterers quote per head, then the venue, attire, photography, music, flowers and other costs, and a contingency. It returns the catering total, the fixed costs, the total budget and the cost per guest, so you can see what each extra guest adds.

A wedding budget has two kinds of cost: per-guest costs (food, drink, chairs, favours) that grow with every name on the list, and fixed costs (venue, photographer, band, outfits) that do not. Trimming the guest list only saves the per-head part, while dropping a fixed item saves its full price whatever the size of the wedding.

How the wedding cost calculator works

The formula is total = (guests × per-head price + fixed costs) × (1 + contingency ÷ 100). For example, 100 guests at 80 a head is 8,000 of catering; with 13,000 of fixed costs and a 10% contingency the total budget is 23,100, or 231 a guest. A second example: cutting to 80 guests saves 1,600 of catering plus 160 of contingency, and the cost per guest rises to 266.

Prices vary hugely by country, region, season and day of the week, so the default figures are placeholders; replace each one with a real quote. Keep a 10–15% contingency for service charges, tips, delivery fees and late changes, which is how many weddings drift over budget.

Total wedding budget by guest count and per-head price (13,000 fixed costs, 10% contingency)

Guests At 50 a head At 80 a head At 120 a head
20 15,400 16,060 16,940
30 15,950 16,940 18,260
40 16,500 17,820 19,580
50 17,050 18,700 20,900
60 17,600 19,580 22,220
70 18,150 20,460 23,540
80 18,700 21,340 24,860
90 19,250 22,220 26,180
100 19,800 23,100 27,500
110 20,350 23,980 28,820
120 20,900 24,860 30,140
130 21,450 25,740 31,460
140 22,000 26,620 32,780
150 22,550 27,500 34,100
160 23,100 28,380 35,420
170 23,650 29,260 36,740
180 24,200 30,140 38,060
190 24,750 31,020 39,380
200 25,300 31,900 40,700
210 25,850 32,780 42,020
220 26,400 33,660 43,340
230 26,950 34,540 44,660
240 27,500 35,420 45,980
250 28,050 36,300 47,300

FAQ

How much does a wedding cost per guest?

Divide the total budget by the number of guests. With 100 guests, per-head catering of 80 and 13,000 of fixed costs plus 10%, it comes to 231 a guest. Fixed costs are spread over fewer people at a small wedding, so the cost per guest is usually higher.

What should a wedding contingency be?

Most planners suggest 10 to 15% of the total. It covers service charges, gratuities, extra guests, delivery and setup fees and small items forgotten in the first budget. If you do not use it, it can go toward the honeymoon.

How can I reduce wedding costs?

Cut the guest list, marry on a weekday or out of season, choose a venue that includes catering and furniture, and ask for package prices from photographers and bands. Every change to the guest count moves the catering line, so start with the list.

See also: all Cost Estimators tools, Everyday Maths, Loans & Savings, Dates & Time, Health, Home & DIY, Unit Converters, Education, Science, Creative, Garden & Farm, Gaming & PC, Work & Business, Fun, Maps & GPS, DIY & Building, Sport & Clubs.

Related tools

Savings Goal Calculator

The weekly, fortnightly or monthly amount that reaches a savings target on time.

Percentage Calculator

What is X% of Y, percentage change, difference, and reverse percentages.

Loan Repayment Calculator

Car and personal loan repayments, and what a flat rate really costs.

Compound Interest Calculator

Growth on a balance, with regular contributions and the real rate.

Moving Cost Calculator

Movers, hours and cost of a house move at your own rates.