How much does a wedding cost? 2026 averages, cost by category and how to set your budget

The short answer: How much does a wedding cost? The average wedding cost about $34,000 in 2025, according to The Knot's 2026 Real Weddings Study as reported by NerdWallet. The median was about $24,000, so most couples spent less than the headline number.

This guide breaks the cost down by category and per guest, and shows how to set a budget you can afford.

The average and the median

The average is pulled up by a small number of very expensive weddings. The median, the middle point, is more useful for most couples. Here is how spending was spread across about 10,000 couples who married in 2025, according to The Knot.

How much does a wedding cost by category?

These are average prices for common wedding costs from The Knot's latest data, as listed by NerdWallet. Your local prices may be higher or lower.

The venue alone is close to 40 percent of a $34,000 wedding. Food adds about $9,360 for 117 guests at $80 each. Together, the venue and food make up most of the average budget, which is why guest count and venue choice matter more than any other decision.

What the averages leave out

The averages do not include the engagement ring, and they leave out many smaller costs. Plan for:

• Vendor tips and service charges.
• Sales tax.
• Cake cutting, corkage, delivery and setup fees.
• Invitations, save the dates and postage.
• Alterations and accessories.
• Wedding party gifts.
• The marriage license.
• The honeymoon.

NerdWallet suggests keeping a buffer of at least 10 percent of your budget for hidden fees, overages and add-ons.

How to set your wedding budget

NerdWallet's four-step wedding budget guide starts from what you can afford, not from the average. Here is a simple version you can do in one evening.

1. Add up your money. Count savings you can use, what you can save each month until the wedding and any family gifts you have confirmed.
2. Pick your guest count. Multiply it by a cost per guest. At $150, 100 guests is $15,000. At $292, it is $29,200.
3. Choose your top three priorities. For example, food, photos and music. Spend more there and less everywhere else.
4. Fill in every category. Start with the venue and food, then the rest. Keep 10 percent unassigned as a buffer.
5. Track as you book. Record each deposit, balance and due date. Update the estimate with the real price.

How guest count changes the total

Guest count drives almost every cost, from food and drinks to tables, centerpieces and invitations. This table uses The Knot's average of about $292 per guest to show how fast the total moves. Your own cost per guest may be higher or lower.

Thinking about a smaller wedding away from home? Our destination wedding guide covers average costs, a sample budget and who pays for what.

Some costs, such as the dress, rings and photographer, do not shrink with a smaller list, so a very small wedding often costs more per guest.

How many guests can your budget cover?

Flip the table around. At The Knot's average of about $292 per guest, these budgets cover roughly this many guests before you add the costs the averages leave out:

Because the per-guest average includes venue, food, photography and other costs, treat these as a starting point. If your budget is below the average, a shorter guest list is usually the fastest lever.

Questions to ask vendors about price

Before you sign, ask each vendor:

1. What exactly is included in this price?
2. Are tax, service charges and gratuity included?
3. How much is the deposit, and when are the other payments due?
4. What are the overtime rates?
5. What is the cancellation and rescheduling policy?
6. Are there fees for delivery, setup or cleanup?

Write the answers and due dates into your budget so nothing surprises you later.

Ways to bring the cost down

NerdWallet lists several ways to cut costs without cutting the celebration:

1. Trim the guest list. Cutting even 10 people can mean one less table, fewer meals and a smaller bar bill.
2. Pick an off-peak day or season. A Friday or Sunday, or a winter month, often costs less than a summer Saturday.
3. Look beyond the big city. Venues a short drive away may cost less and have more open dates.
4. Compare quotes. Check what each venue includes, such as tables, chairs and linens.
5. Adjust the package. Book the photographer for fewer hours or limit the bar to beer and wine.
6. Ask for help. A talented friend may do hair or flowers as their gift.

Track every cost in one place

The easiest way to stay on budget is to see every cost, payment and balance on one sheet. Our Wedding Budget Spreadsheet ($6.99) has 29 typical wedding costs pre-listed, estimated and actual columns for each item and a payment log with an item dropdown. Paid amounts and balances due update automatically. It also has a guest list with RSVP and meal tracking, a cost per attending guest and a spending by category chart.

The Wedding Planning Bundle ($8.99) pairs the spreadsheet with the printable wedding planning checklist. For a step-by-step budget plan, read how to budget for a wedding. If you are thinking about hiring help, see how much a wedding planner costs. For the full plan, see our wedding planning checklist and budget tracker.

Before you set a number, work through our engagement checklist so the budget conversation happens early.