Wedding budget
How to split a $20,000 wedding budget
Twenty thousand dollars goes a long way if you decide up front where it goes. Enter your own total below, then use the table to see how $20,000 divides across every category, assuming 100 guests.
$20,000 for 100 guests is $200 per guest.
What $20,000 means per guest
Divide the total by your guest count. Plain arithmetic for $20,000:
- 50 guests: $400 per guest
- 75 guests: about $267 per guest
- 100 guests: $200 per guest
- 150 guests: about $133 per guest
Example: $20,000 split by category (100 guests)
These are common starting splits that we use in our own calculator. They are a planning starting point, not survey data; your city, season and priorities will move them.
| Category | Share | Amount | Per guest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue & catering | 45% | $9,000 | $90 |
| Photography & video | 11% | $2,200 | $22 |
| Attire & beauty | 8% | $1,600 | $16 |
| Flowers & decor | 8% | $1,600 | $16 |
| Music & entertainment | 7% | $1,400 | $14 |
| Rings | 4% | $800 | $8 |
| Planner / coordinator | 4% | $800 | $8 |
| Stationery & invitations | 2% | $400 | $4 |
| Cake & desserts | 2% | $400 | $4 |
| Transport | 2% | $400 | $4 |
| Favors & gifts | 2% | $400 | $4 |
| Officiant & license | 1% | $200 | $2 |
| Buffer for surprises | 4% | $800 | $8 |
| Total | 100% | $20,000 | $200 |
Making $20,000 stretch
- Decide the top two categories first. Venue and food are usually the biggest lines. Fix those, then divide what is left.
- Move money, don't add it. Raise the categories you care about by lowering others so the total stays fixed.
- Keep the 4% buffer. At $20,000 that is $800 for fees, tips and alterations.
Prefer to start from your guest count? See the worked examples for 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 guests, or the 40 costs couples forget.
Want it as a spreadsheet you can fill in?
The $9 planner has planned vs actual, payments and a guest list. The $19 Kit adds a vendor sheet, RSVP tracker, seating chart and checklist as printable PDFs. Not what you expected? Email for a refund within 30 days.
Not ready to buy? Take the free checklist.
“40 Wedding Costs Couples Forget” is a printable PDF of the costs that most often blow a budget, such as service charges, alterations, tips and delivery fees. Pay what you like, including $0.