In short
A Los Angeles wedding for about 100 guests is typically quoted between $26,000 and $78,000, with most couples landing near $42,000.
- Typical total (USD)
- $42,000
- Simpler day from (USD)
- $26,000
- Premium reaches (USD)
- $78,000
- Categories priced
- 5
- Widest range
- Venue hire
- Figures reviewed
- July 2026
USD for around 100 guests, before sales tax and the 20-25% service charge caterers add
Where the money goes
| Category | Share of the biggest line | Low (USD) | High (USD) | What moves the number | Vendors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venue hire | $8,000 | $25,000 | Many LA venues are dry-hire, meaning the fee buys the space only — catering, rentals, staffing and often power are separate lines. | Browse venue hire in Los Angeles | |
| Catering and bar | $10,000 | $24,000 | Roughly $100-240 a head. Dry-hire venues make this larger than it looks, because rentals and staffing land here rather than in the venue fee. | Browse catering and bar in Los Angeles | |
| Photography | $3,500 | $8,500 | A deep, competitive market — the middle of this range buys an experienced full-day photographer. | Browse photography in Los Angeles | |
| Flowers and styling | $2,500 | $9,000 | Local growing season keeps stems relatively affordable; installations and rentals are what move the number. | Browse flowers and styling in Los Angeles | |
| Officiant | $300 | $1,000 | California also allows a Deputy Commissioner for a Day, letting a friend legally marry you for a small county fee. | Browse officiant in Los Angeles |
Los Angeles spans a wider price range than almost any US market — a backyard in Silver Lake and a Malibu estate are the same city.
Already have a quote? Check it against these Los Angeles ranges — free, in your browser.
Turn the ranges into your budget
- 01
Set a working budget
Agree the total you're comfortable spending before you fall in love with anything. Wedyesday's budget tracker splits it across categories for you.
- 02
Pick your top three priorities
Choose the two or three things that matter most — venue, photography, food — and let them take a bigger share. Trim what you won't remember in five years.
- 03
Get real quotes from vendors
Published starting prices beat guesswork. Shortlist vendors, request pricing with your date and guest count, and compare like for like.
- 04
Track deposits and payments as you book
Log every quote, deposit, and due date as it happens so the running total never surprises you.
See what Los Angeles vendors quote for your date.
Your cost questions, answered
How much does a wedding cost in Los Angeles?
Most Los Angeles weddings land between $26,000 and $78,000 all-in, with a typical 100-guest celebration around $42,000 before tax and service charges.
What is a dry-hire venue and why does it matter?
It means the fee buys the space and little else — catering, tables, chairs, glassware, staffing and sometimes power and restrooms are all separate. A $9,000 dry-hire venue can easily total more than a $15,000 all-inclusive one, so always compare all-in.
Can a friend marry us in California?
Yes. California's Deputy Commissioner for a Day programme lets a friend or family member be deputised to perform your ceremony for a modest county fee, which is why many LA couples spend little or nothing on an officiant.
Ranges are directional market figures — your quotes will vary with date, guest count and season. The surest numbers come from vendors with published pricing.