General
Event Budget Calculator
Estimate your total event budget by type, guest count, and quality tier. Get a detailed breakdown across venue, food, decor, entertainment, and more.
Select event type, guest count, and quality tier, then click Calculate
How is this calculated?
Base Cost Per Guest (wedding mid-range example):
Venue: 30% — $75/guest
Food & Drink: 30% — $75/guest
Decor: 10% — $25/guest
Entertainment: 10% — $25/guest
Photography: 8% — $20/guest
Misc/Buffer: 12% — $30/guest
Quality Multipliers:
Budget: 0.55×
Mid: 1.0×
Premium: 1.8×
Total = Σ(category_per_guest × guests) × quality_multiplierFAQ
Frequently asked questions about event budgets
How much does a wedding cost on average?
The average US wedding in 2026 costs $33,000–$38,000. However, this varies enormously by region — NYC averages $65,000+ while rural areas may be $15,000–$20,000. Guest count is the biggest cost driver.
How do I calculate cost per guest?
Divide your total estimated budget by the number of guests. For a mid-range wedding, expect $150–$300 per guest. For budget events, $50–$100 per guest. Premium events run $400–$600+ per guest.
What percentage should go to the venue?
Venue (including catering) typically consumes 40-50% of an event budget. For a wedding, venue alone is 25-30% and food/beverage adds another 25-30%.
How much should I budget for event photography?
Photography typically runs 8-12% of your event budget. For weddings, expect $2,500–$5,000 for mid-range and $5,000–$10,000+ for premium coverage with second shooter and album.
What's a reasonable budget for a corporate conference?
Corporate conferences typically cost $100–$300 per attendee for a full-day event including venue, AV, catering, and speaker fees. Multi-day conferences run $500–$1,500+ per attendee.
How can I reduce event costs without sacrificing quality?
Book off-peak dates (Friday or Sunday for weddings, winter months), reduce guest count, choose in-season flowers, opt for buffet over plated service, and limit open bar hours.