How to set a Wedding Budget
Great question. We are here to help.
The average cost of a destination-based California wedding is $44,051, according to WeddingWire’s 2023 Newlywed report. For couples who marry in our area, around our hometown of Lake Tahoe, and other popular wedding destinations, the cost can increase. Many small but essential details contribute to the high cost of a wedding, and below we have broken them down for you so you can set a realistic budget.
NOTE: We work with every budget and take no judgment in what a couple chooses for their wedding priorities.
Primary Budget Driver:
Your guest count. This will be a primary factor in determining your wedding costs. Your food and beverage charges by guests, so the higher your guest count, the more you will spend on the dining portion of your wedding. Your guest count will also determine which venues can service a large number of people. There are a limited number of venues that can hold a large number of guests, and as a result, often charge accordingly. Floral and decorative elements can also be scaled proportionally to your headcount, based on the size and space you wish to decorate.
Every wedding will cost a different amount, depending on your priorities. That is why we, at Pomegranate Occasions, spend extra time focusing on your priorities for your day so we can allocate your budget to focus on what matters most to you. We also introduce you to the best wedding venue and local vendors in the area that fit within your budget.
What does a professional Wedding Vendor Cost?
Vendor and venue pricing vary, but below are typical pricing ranges for the Tahoe region, along with the percentage of the budget that they generally are allocated to:
Catering: (food, service, & gratuity) $80 - $160+ per head (~19% of budget)
~$80/guest for an entree and two side dishes
~$25/guest for two appetizers
~$20/guest for service
+ ~8.5% tax
+ ~24% gratuity
Venue fee: $5,000 - $15,000 (~10% of budget)
Venue fees range based on location, size, and included services. This fee simple reserves the venue for your celebration.
Wedding Coordinator: $3,000 - $10,000 (~10% of budget)
Most professional (licensed and insured) wedding planning services offer three service types: Day Of, Partial Planning, and Full Planning. Depending on your service selection, prices can range between $3,000 and 10% of your total budget for larger weddings.
DJ / Entertainment: $2,800 - $13,000 (~8% of budget)
Professional, experienced DJs start at $2,800 for wedding day services. Typically, uplighting or travel fees may be included.
Professional, experienced Wedding Bands start at approximately $1,000 per band member, plus travel and lodging costs based on the home base location.
Bar and Beverage: $80 - $100 per head (~6% of budget)
In general, each guest consumes approximately one drink per hour. We budget for drinks to cost a minimum of $15 per drink (dependent on the drink selection). A simple way to estimate your Bar and Beverage Bill for a venue is with the following formula:
Number of Guests * 1 Drink per hour * Number of Hours in your event * $15/ drink. Example:
100 guests * 1 drinks per hour = 100 drinks consumed per hour
100 drinks per hour * 5 hour event = 500 drinks consumed during the event
500 drinks * ~$15/average drink cost = $7,500 for alcohol
+ ~$250 / Bartender (at select venues)
For DIY Bar Venues, plan on spending about $1,200 for Traveling Bartenders and approximately $10 per drink if purchasing in bulk. See our bartending services here!
Photography: $3,500 - $9,500 (~6% of budget)Professional photographer pricing ranges between $4,000 — $10,000 based on the packages they offer.
Most of our clients spend on average $5,000 for 8 hours of photography.
Florals: $2,500 - $10,000 (~7% of budget)The following is a breakdown of typical floral categories and average client spend for a 100-guest count wedding. Floral spend is subjective based on couples’ preferences and priority within the wedding budget:
~$1,000 - Wedding Party Floral - (Bridal bouquets, boutonnières, etc.)
~$1,200 - Ceremony Floral (Arch Sprays, aisle markers)
~$200 / centerpiece + $400 for select station florals - Reception Floral (Centerpieces and station arrangements)
Cinema: $3,000 - $6,000 (~6% of budget)Professional cinematography pricing ranges between $3,000 — $6,000 based on the packages they offer. Most of our clients spend on average $4,000 for 8 hours of cinematography.
Hair & Makeup (for the bride): $350 - $600 (hair, makeup, nails) (~0.5% of budget)Clients typically spend approximately $350 for a Bridal Hair and Makeup package. Prices can increase based on:
+ ~$125 Travel Fee
+~$100-$300 for beauty add-ons, such as eyelashes and airbrushing.
+~$125 /bridal party member add on
Website & Stationary: $600 - $2,000 (~2% of budget)
~$2/Save The Dates + postage
~$6/Invitation + postage
~$2/Thank You Card + postage
Officiant: $250 - $600 (~0.5% of budget)
Professional officiants typically charge between $350 and $600 for their services. Some denominations suggest a donation to their congregation. If you opt to have a friend or family member perform services, we find it typical for a couple to purchase a thank-you gift in the amount of ~$100.
Desserts or Cake: $500 - $1,500 (~2% of budget)
Wedding Cake prices vary by baker, style, design, flavor, and icing but typically start at:
~$370 - (serves 35) Single Tier Wedding Cakes
~$560 - (serves 40) Double Tier Wedding Cakes
~$995 - (serves 75) Triple Tier Wedding Cakes
$8/dessert bite per guest - Dessert Bars: We recommend planning for 2-3 bites per guest.
+ ~$60 - $100 for delivery / set up
Transportation: $1,000 - $1,500 per shuttle (~2% of budget)
Shuttle costs start at $850 for a ~25 passenger bus for a 5 hour minimum. Costs can increase based on the size of the shuttle, gas prices, and the duration of the shuttle's use.
Rentals and Decorations: $1,200 - $9,500 (~9% of budget)
The following is a breakdown of typical decor categories and average client spend. Decor & Rental spend is subjective based on couples’ preferences and priority within the wedding budget:
~$2,500 - Outdoor lounges and larger deliveries
~$5,000 - on Drapery & Installation
~$5,000 - on lighting & Installation
~$1,000 - on dance floors & Installation
~$2 - $25 / linen - i.e., tableclothes, napkins, and table runners
~$500 - Wedding Day Stationery: (i.e., Table Seating Chart, Welcome Sign, Menus, Name Cards, Station signage - see our Signage Package)
~$100 - Gifts & Guest Book Station
~$100 - Personal items - i.e. photo frames of couple, wedding day knick knacks
Favors and Gifts: $500 - $1,500 (~2% of budget)
$5/favor / guest - Wedding Favors
$75/gift/wedding party member
Rehearsal Dinner: $2,000 - $4,000 (~6% of budget)
For parties of 12 guests or more, venues will require a venue fee to reserve a section of the restaurant for your larger gathering.
~$1,500 - Venue Fee
~$100/ guest for dinner, service, tax, and gratuity
~$50/ guest if hosting beverages
Day After Brunch: $700 - $1,500 (~3% of budget)
For parties over 12 guests, venues will require a venue fee to reserve a section of the restaurant for your larger gathering.
~$750 - Venue Fee
~$50/ guest for light breakfast, service, tax, and gratuity
Travel and Accommodations: $2,000 (1% of budget)
Travel and Accommodations vary by couple and preference. Typically, this is not factored into the Wedding Day budget, but on average we find couples spend about:
$400/night for lodging (more on popular weekends or hotels)
$800/flight for destination travel
$500/rental car for destination travel
Wedding Day Attire: $2,000 - $6,000 (~8% of budget)
Bridal Gowns are a personal preference and we see brides spend as little as $300 for a beachy gown to $6,000+ for a formal name brand designer. Often the wedding party attire is not accounted for in the wedding budget as that is accounted for by the bride / groom or family member separately.
+ ~$300 - $800 in alterations
+ ~$150 - $300 / bridemsaid - if the bride is personally investing in the Bridesmaids Attire
+ ~$200 - $600 / groom or groomsmen for rented or purchased tailored suits (~0.5% of budget)
Total: $50,000 - $150,000+ (and there’s always ways to spend more)
Really?!? That’s crazy!
Yes, but don’t walk away from your dreamy, adventurous wedding just yet. At Pomegranate Occasions, we offer numerous tips and tricks to help you save money throughout the process while staying true to your vision.
We know how to save in areas that may not be a priority and show you options to avoid peak pricing. We also know almost every vendor in the area and can find the right partners for you.
Contact us today for so we can share more.
