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Event Cost Planner

How We Calculate

Every number on this site comes from a named source or from simple math you can check. Here is how it works.

Last updated

Our rules

  • No made-up numbers. Every average, price range or rule of thumb is tied to a named source with a link and the date we read it. If we can't find a reliable figure, we don't show one. The calculator asks for your own quote instead.
  • Assumptions in plain view. Each calculator has an "Assumptions used" panel that explains every input it relies on. You can change them to match your quotes.
  • Ranges, not false precision. Prices vary a lot between vendors, so most cost tools show a low and a high estimate rather than one exact number.
  • Math you can follow. Each tool page has a "How it works" section and a worked example with the steps written out.

How we adjust for your wedding

Location

Wedding costs vary a lot by state. Our wedding tools use a location factor: the middle of the typical wedding cost range in your state divided by the middle of the national range. A factor of 1.10 means weddings in your state typically cost about 10% more than the national middle. The same factor is used in every wedding tool, so the results agree with each other.

Guest count

Published ranges usually describe a wedding of a certain size. Where a source doesn't say what guest count its figures describe, we assume the source's own average guest count and say so on the page. You can change your guest count in every tool.

Style

Where a tool offers budget, mid-range and premium options, they are the lower, middle and upper third of the published range. That is a method, not a statistic.

Dates and seasons

Off-peak and weekday savings come from published ranges. When more than one saving could apply, we use only the largest one, so savings are never counted twice.

Food and space calculators

The food per person tools start from standard serving sizes and published yields, such as how much cooked rice a cup of uncooked rice makes. They add a buffer (10% unless you change it) and round shopping amounts up, because running short is worse than having leftovers. The dance floor and tent tools use rules of thumb from rental companies and trade publications, then round up to standard sizes you can actually rent.

Where our figures come from

These are the sources each calculator uses. Dates show when we last read the source. Sources are often industry surveys or vendor guides, so treat them as typical figures, not guarantees.

Wedding Cost Estimator

Wedding Budget Calculator

Wedding Budget Breakdown

Wedding Photographer Cost Calculator

Wedding Venue Cost Calculator

Wedding Planner Cost Calculator

Wedding Cake Calculator

Catering Cost Per Person Calculator

Catering Tip Calculator

Pasta Per Person Calculator

Rice Per Person Calculator

Salad Per Person Calculator

Appetizers Per Person Calculator

Dance Floor Size Calculator

Tent Size Calculator

Keeping figures up to date

Wedding and catering surveys are usually published once a year. We check our sources when new editions come out and update the figures, the "Last updated" date on each page and the list above at the same time.

Found a mistake?

If a number looks wrong or a source has changed, please tell us at usamaiqbal74354@gmail.com. We read every message and fix errors as quickly as we can. You can also read our disclaimer and more about the site.