The average U.S. wedding costs around $30,000, though it can range from $10,000 to $80,000+ depending on location and guest count. Here’s how long it takes to save based on your target budget.
Average Wedding Costs by Guest Count
| Guest Count | Budget Wedding | Average Wedding | Premium Wedding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-50 | $8,000–$12,000 | $12,000–$18,000 | $18,000–$28,000 |
| 75-100 | $15,000–$22,000 | $22,000–$32,000 | $32,000–$50,000 |
| 100-150 | $20,000–$30,000 | $30,000–$45,000 | $45,000–$70,000 |
| 150-200 | $28,000–$40,000 | $40,000–$60,000 | $60,000–$100,000+ |
How Long to Save for a Wedding
| Wedding Budget | Save $500 | Save $750 | Save $1,000 | Save $1,500 | Save $2,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | 20 mo | 13 mo | 10 mo | 7 mo | 5 mo |
| $15,000 | 30 mo | 20 mo | 15 mo | 10 mo | 7.5 mo |
| $20,000 | 40 mo | 27 mo | 20 mo | 13 mo | 10 mo |
| $25,000 | 50 mo | 33 mo | 25 mo | 17 mo | 12.5 mo |
| $30,000 | 60 mo | 40 mo | 30 mo | 20 mo | 15 mo |
| $35,000 | 70 mo | 47 mo | 35 mo | 23 mo | 18 mo |
| $40,000 | 80 mo | 53 mo | 40 mo | 27 mo | 20 mo |
Timeline by Combined Couple’s Income
Assumes each partner contributes 10% of their income to the wedding fund (combined savings rate = 10% per household).
| Combined Income | Monthly Savings (10%) | Time to $20,000 | Time to $30,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $70,000 | $583 | 2 yr 10 mo | 4 yr 4 mo |
| $90,000 | $750 | 2 yr 3 mo | 3 yr 4 mo |
| $100,000 | $833 | 2 yr | 3 yr |
| $120,000 | $1,000 | 1 yr 8 mo | 2 yr 6 mo |
| $150,000 | $1,250 | 1 yr 4 mo | 2 yr |
| $200,000 | $1,667 | 1 yr | 1 yr 6 mo |
Where Wedding Money Goes
Understanding costs helps you know where cuts are possible:
| Category | % of Budget | $20,000 Wedding | $35,000 Wedding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | 30-35% | $6,000–$7,000 | $10,500–$12,250 |
| Catering | 25-30% | $5,000–$6,000 | $8,750–$10,500 |
| Photography + Video | 10-12% | $2,000–$2,400 | $3,500–$4,200 |
| Music/DJ | 5-8% | $1,000–$1,600 | $1,750–$2,800 |
| Flowers/Décor | 8-10% | $1,600–$2,000 | $2,800–$3,500 |
| Attire | 5-8% | $1,000–$1,600 | $1,750–$2,800 |
| Other (invites, gifts, etc.) | 10-15% | $2,000–$3,000 | $3,500–$5,250 |
How to Save Faster
Open a dedicated wedding savings account. Mixing wedding funds with regular savings makes it easy to spend them on other things.
Trim the guest list. Per-person catering costs typically run $75-$150. Cutting 30 guests from the list saves $2,250-$4,500.
Choose off-peak timing. Friday evening and Sunday afternoon weddings at most venues cost 20-40% less than Saturday prime-time.
Ask for family contributions. Many family members prefer contributing money to a wedding fund over buying gifts. Make it easy with a registry contribution option.
Set a no-debt rule. Decide upfront that you will not spend more than you have saved. This single rule prevents most wedding overspending.
Related: Average Cost of a Wedding | How Long to Save $20,000 | Financial Planning for Couples