In short
A wedding in the United States for about 100 guests is typically quoted between $18,000 and $55,000, with most couples landing near $30,000.
- Typical total (USD)
- $30,000
- Simpler day from (USD)
- $18,000
- Premium reaches (USD)
- $55,000
- 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 | $5,000 | $20,000 | The single biggest line for most couples. Rural venues and off-season dates sit at the low end; major-metro Saturdays at the top. | Browse venue hire | |
| Catering and bar | $7,000 | $18,000 | Roughly $70-180 a head. A 20-25% service charge plus state sales tax lands on top of this — budget for it from the start. | Browse catering and bar | |
| Photography | $2,500 | $6,500 | Six to ten hours of coverage. The middle of the range buys an experienced full-day photographer in most markets. | Browse photography | |
| Flowers and styling | $1,800 | $6,000 | Personal flowers and simple centrepieces start low; ceremony installations grow it quickly. | Browse flowers and styling | |
| Officiant | $250 | $1,000 | Many states let a friend be ordained or deputised to marry you, which is why this line varies more than any other. | Browse officiant |
The Knot's 2026 study put the average US wedding at about $34,200 across all guest counts, or roughly $290-300 a head.
Already have a quote? Check it against these the United States 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 the United States vendors quote for your date.
Your cost questions, answered
How much does the average US wedding cost?
The Knot's 2026 study put the average at about $34,200 across all guest counts, with a median closer to $20,000-$25,000. For a 100-guest wedding, most couples land between $18,000 and $55,000 before tax and service charges.
Why does the same wedding cost double in another city?
Venue and catering are local markets. A 150-guest wedding that costs around $85,000 in San Francisco can be roughly half that in a mid-sized Midwestern city. Where you marry moves the total more than any single vendor choice.
What do US quotes leave out?
Sales tax and service charge. Venue and catering are quoted pre-tax, and catering contracts routinely add 20-25% as a service charge or gratuity. On a $15,000 food and bar bill that is another $3,000-4,000.
Ranges are directional market figures — your quotes will vary with date, guest count and season. The surest numbers come from vendors with published pricing.