About WeddingBudgeter
Why we built this, and how we keep it honest
Planning a wedding should feel exciting, not frightening. Yet many couples start with a number in mind and end up with a bill that is thousands of dollars higher, because the costs that hurt most are the ones nobody mentions up front.
WeddingBudgeter was created by a small team of financial researchers and wedding enthusiasts who watched friends and family take on surprise wedding debt. We wanted a free, plain-language tool that shows the full picture before any deposits are paid.
Our mission
To help couples across the United States plan a wedding they can afford, with no surprises and no debt hangover.
Core values
- Clarity: we explain every number and show our assumptions.
- Honesty: we tell you when a budget looks tight, even if that is not what you hoped to hear.
- Respect for your choices: a $15,000 wedding and a $90,000 wedding both deserve good planning. We do not judge.
- Privacy: the calculator runs in your browser, and we do not store the figures you enter.
How the calculator works
Your total is split into seven categories: venue and catering (45%), photography (10%), attire (8%), decor and flowers (10%), entertainment (8%), hidden costs (12%) and an emergency fund (7%). Hidden costs are then estimated separately from your state's approximate sales tax, typical tipping norms, overtime, alterations and per-guest extras, and compared with the 12% set aside.
Editorial transparency
- Our guides are written to inform, not to sell. We do not accept payment to recommend vendors.
- The site is supported by advertising, which never changes our calculations or advice.
- Figures are estimates drawn from public cost surveys and general industry norms. If you spot an error, tell us at support@myweddingbudgeter.com and we will review it promptly.
Ready to start? Open the calculator.