Real budget · 120 guests
$50,000 wedding budget example
A well-appointed $50K wedding for 120 guests. Roughly the US national average — here's how it actually gets spent.
| Category | Amount | % |
|---|---|---|
| Venue + rentals | $15,000 | 30% |
| Catering + bar | $11,000 | 22% |
| Photography + video | $6,000 | 12% |
| Florals + décor | $5,000 | 10% |
| Attire + beauty | $4,000 | 8% |
| Music + entertainment | $3,500 | 7% |
| Stationery + favors | $2,000 | 4% |
| Cake + desserts | $1,500 | 3% |
| Buffer | $2,000 | 4% |
What $50K actually gets you
- A mid-tier venue (not a hotel ballroom, not a barn).
- A plated 3-course dinner + open beer/wine bar.
- A senior photographer with a second shooter and video highlights.
- Full florals (bouquets, ceremony arrangements, centerpieces) at a moderate density.
- A DJ (not a band) with lighting upgrade.
Where budgets creep past $50K
- Guest count. Every 10 guests past 120 adds ~$1,800.
- Live band instead of DJ (+$5–15K).
- Full open bar instead of beer/wine (+$3–6K).
- Late-May, September, or October peak-season pricing (+10–20% across vendors).
Model your $50K budget → · See how this compares nationally →
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