Let’s talk about what weddings actually cost.

Let’s have a real conversation, friend to friend.

You’ve probably seen the blogs that say the average wedding costs around $36,000. But here’s what they often don’t explain: that number includes everything from elopements to courthouse ceremonies to backyard barbecues. If you’re planning a traditional wedding with a full guest list, professional vendors, a beautiful venue, and a dinner reception? The cost looks very different.

Not because the industry is trying to upsell you—but because beautiful, intentional experiences cost time, labor, and resources. And you deserve to know what that looks like up front so you can plan with clarity (not sticker shock).

So here it is: the weddings you see featured on blogs, Pinterest, and Instagram? The ones with lush florals, designer gowns, outdoor dinners under twinkle lights, and packed dance floors? Those weddings typically start at $75,000–$100,000+.

We know that can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools and expectations, you can create a day that reflects your values and priorities—without feeling like you’re always falling short.

Why Is There So Much Confusion About Wedding Costs? 2025?

Because most couples aren’t shown the full picture.

They see the highlight reel—not the budget spreadsheet. And too often, they’re told from wedding blogs that $30K will get them the wedding of their dreams, only to realize later that the things they value most (a dream venue, top-tier photography, beautiful decor) cost more than they were prepared for.

When we spoke with planners with years of experience and deep expertise in their field, they echoed this disconnect. The planners we spoke to shared these insights not to intimidate—but to advocate for clear, empowered planning.

Carrie of Pure Lavish Events shared that luxury resort weddings in Southern California often start at $250K to $300K. “Many couples are surprised to learn the venue with food and beverage alone is $80,000+, and that doesn’t even include rentals, florals, or entertainment,” she explained.

And those dreamy private estate weddings? They tend to be even more. “You’re essentially building the venue from scratch,” Carrie added. “You need to bring in power, restrooms, lighting, a kitchen—everything.”

Bryce Gaston, a Southern California planner, says that couples should be prepared to spend $1,000–2,000+ per guest for full-service weddings. For a 100-person wedding, that lands you at $100,000. “You can certainly do it for less,” he adds, “but you will be sacrificing quality.”

Angelica Rose Events echoed this in Las Vegas: “Our clients typically spend $1,500–2,000 per guest.”

Silk + Slate Co. added, “For design-forward weddings in major cities, our projects range from $800 to $3,500 per guest. And the weddings you see go viral? Often $500K to $2M+.”

Alexa Kritis shared another common pitfall: “Not going “venue poor” is a big contributing factor. So it’s making sure you’re properly allocating budget to each vendor necessary.”

These insights aren’t meant to scare you. They’re meant to help you plan wisely and without surprise. Because knowledge is power—and peace.

There’s no one-size-fits-all wedding. Our goal is simply to provide couples with informed expectations so they can match their vision to their budget.

So What Drives Wedding Costs?

The planners we spoke with all pointed to the same major cost drivers:

“Guest count is everything,” said Silk + Slate Co. “If you want big visual and experience impact, either start with your total budget and work backwards—or commit to your guest count and adjust accordingly.”

Every guest adds layers. Every decision affects the next.

How to Budget Smarter (and With Less Stress)

We asked planners what they wish every couple knew before diving into the planning process. Here’s what they said:

“Start with full-service planning in your budget,” advised Carrie of Pure Lavish Events. “A planner doesn’t just manage your day. They help guide your budget from the beginning, which prevents overcommitting in one area and falling short in others.”

The team at SHE Luxe shared that their full-service destination weddings in New England typically range from $200K to $350K, with planning and design starting at $25,000.

Bryce Gaston encourages couples to spend no more than 50% of their total budget on food and beverage. “That leaves space for everything else—photography, florals, entertainment, rentals.”

Ruffle Effect reminded us that planning fees can range from 10% to 20% of your total budget, depending on the event scale. “Our clients typically spend $3,250+ for wedding management, and up to $15K+ for full planning.”

Every planner we spoke to wants the same thing you do: for your wedding to feel aligned with your values, your priorities, and your joy.

But Can You Still Have a Beautiful Wedding for Less?

Absolutely. If you’re intentionally planning something smaller, scaled down, or nontraditional—there are many ways to celebrate your love beautifully.

But if you’re envisioning a wedding with a design-forward ceremony, curated vendor team, stunning florals, and a dinner party your guests will never forget—you deserve to know what that really costs.

This isn’t about pushing a certain budget. It’s about honesty, transparency, and freedom to make choices that align with your reality.

No Gatekeeping. Just Real Help.

We created this post because we’re tired of couples being set up for disappointment.

At Engaged Life, we believe that honesty is a form of love. We believe in equipping you with information so you can plan with joy, not confusion.

Whether your wedding is $10K or $500K, you deserve to be celebrated and supported.

You don’t need to know everything—you just need someone to give you the truth, gently and clearly.

We’re here to be that for you.

Want more support? Browse our planning tools, wedding checklists, budget trackers, and vendor recommendation guides [link here].

Or follow us on Instagram and DM us your questions. We’re always here to help.