Guides
Wedding and Event Planning Guides
The numbers behind the calculators, explained in plain English. Every figure links to its source.
- Food How Many Appetizers Per Person (Party Planning Guide) Planning appetizers for a party? Plan 4 to 6 pieces per guest before a meal, or about 5 in the first hour and 3 each hour after when they're the meal. 7 min read
- Catering Average Catering Cost Per Person (by Service Style) The average catering cost per person for a wedding is about $46 to $55. Compare plated, buffet, family-style and stations, plus the fees that sit on top. 7 min read
- Wedding Average Wedding Cost in the US (by State and Guest Count) The average cost of a wedding in the US is about $34,000 to $36,000. See how costs change by state and guest count, where the money goes, and how to plan yours. 8 min read
- Event Setup What Size Dance Floor Do You Need? What dance floor size do you need for your wedding? See how many guests dance at once, the space each needs, a size chart by guest count and rental tips. 8 min read
- Catering How Much to Tip a Caterer (and Who Gets It) How much to tip a caterer: most couples give 16% to 20% of the bill unless gratuity is included. Learn the service charge trap and flat tips per staff member. 7 min read
- Wedding How to Make a Wedding Budget (Step by Step) How to make a wedding budget in seven steps: set a total, build the guest list, split it by category, price the big vendors first and keep a cushion. 8 min read
- Catering How to Price Catering: A Guide for Caterers How to price catering step by step: ingredient cost, food-cost percentage, labor, overhead and profit margin, with a worked example and the mistakes to avoid. 7 min read
- Food How Much Pasta Per Person (for a Crowd) Cooking pasta for a crowd? Plan 2 oz of dry pasta per person as a side and 3 to 4 oz as a main. See a chart by guest count, cooking tips and a worked example. 8 min read
- Wedding Wedding Planner vs Day-of Coordinator: Cost Comparison Day-of coordinator cost is usually $1,200 to $2,500, far less than a full planner. Compare what each one does and which is right for your wedding. 7 min read
- Food How Much Rice Per Person (Party and Wedding Guide) Making rice for a crowd? Plan ¼ cup of uncooked rice per person as a side and ⅓ to ½ cup as a main. See a chart, cooking tips and how much cooked rice you get. 8 min read
- Catering Ways to Save Money on Wedding Catering Practical ways to save money on wedding catering: cut the guest list, pick a cheaper service style or date, simplify the menu and read the fine print on fees. 7 min read
- Event Setup What Size Tent Do You Need for Your Event? What size tent for 100 guests? Seating alone needs about 1,200 sq ft at round tables. Add buffets, a dance floor and a DJ to find the tent size you need. 8 min read