altessaBlog

Free template · no signup, no email

The wedding budget, already split.

Enter your total and get a realistic starting split across the thirteen categories most weddings actually spend on — the same ranges planners quote. Drag anything; the math follows. Take it with you as a spreadsheet.

  • Venue & Catering

    typically 40–50%

    42%

    $9,240

  • Photography

    typically 10–12%

    10%

    $2,200

  • Videography

    typically 6–8%

    7%

    $1,540

  • Florals & Decor

    typically 8–10%

    9%

    $1,980

  • Music/Entertainment

    typically 5–7%

    6%

    $1,320

  • Attire & Beauty

    typically 5–8%

    6%

    $1,320

  • Stationery

    typically 2–3%

    2%

    $440

  • Transportation

    typically 2–3%

    2%

    $440

  • Cake & Desserts

    typically 2–3%

    2%

    $440

  • Rentals

    typically 3–5%

    4%

    $880

  • Officiant

    typically 1–2%

    1%

    $220

  • Favors & Gifts

    typically 2–3%

    2%

    $440

  • Contingency

    typically 5–8%

    7%

    $1,540

Your split: 100% — right on target.

$22,000 of $22,000

Opens in Excel, Numbers, or Google Sheets.

Want this in your inbox?

We'll send your budget split as a clean PDF, plus the three costs couples forget to plan for. One email, no list-spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Also free: the wedding timeline generator — enter your date, get the month-by-month plan. No signup either.

The questions everyone asks

How much of a wedding budget goes to the venue and catering?
Plan on 40–50% of your total budget for the venue and catering together — it is almost always the largest line. On a $22,000 budget that is roughly $8,800–$11,000.
What percentage of a wedding budget should be contingency?
Set aside 5–8% as contingency. Overruns are normal — florals swap when a bloom is out of season, headcounts creep — and a named buffer means a surprise becomes a line item instead of a crisis.
Do these percentages work for a small or budget wedding?
Yes — the split scales. Percentages describe proportions, not dollar minimums, so a $10,000 wedding uses the same shape with smaller numbers. Below roughly $8,000, fixed costs (officiant, stationery) start taking a naturally larger share and you should expect to hand-tune more.

When the budget should talk to your guest list and vendors

A spreadsheet can hold numbers. Altessa connects them — every vendor quote, deposit, and headcount change updates the same budget, with reminders before anything slips.

Start planning free

One-time purchase if you stay. Never a subscription.