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Wedding Budget Calculator

Plan your wedding budget with a recommended breakdown by venue, catering, photography and more.

Wedding Budget Calculator · NZLifestyle & Everyday

Results update when you select Calculate.

Example result based on the prefilled values.

Venue

NZ$6,000.00

Catering

NZ$7,000.00

Photography

NZ$2,000.00

Per Guest (catering)

NZ$87.50

Continue your plan

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When to use this calculator

  • When you need a fast estimate before making a bigger decision.
  • When you want to compare a few scenarios using the same assumptions.
  • When you need a clearer starting point before using a detailed quote or formal document.
  • When you want to sanity-check a figure you have seen elsewhere before you rely on it.
  • When you are preparing for a conversation with an adviser, supplier, or lender and want to arrive with realistic numbers.

A realistic New Zealand planning example

Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.

Total Budget (NZ$)

20000

Number of Guests

80

After entering these figures, review venue, catering and photography together rather than in isolation — each metric tells a different part of the story. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted to see which variable has the biggest effect on all three outputs before you settle on a plan.

How to read your results

Venue

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.

Catering

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.

Photography

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.

Per Guest (catering)

Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.

Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources

This calculator helps couples estimate their total wedding budget by entering costs across all major categories. Figures are based on typical UK supplier pricing structures, including venue hire, catering per head, bar packages, and supplier day rates. You can adjust guest numbers to see how per-head costs affect the overall total.

The calculator does not include honeymoon costs, engagement ring, pre-wedding events such as hen or stag parties, or post-wedding name-change fees. It assumes a single UK ceremony and reception on the same day. All figures are in GBP and are indicative only — always get written quotes from suppliers before budgeting firmly.

Common mistakes

  • !Using an assumption that is not supported by a current local quote, bill, statement or official source.
  • !Treating a generic estimate as a lender, provider, payroll or tax authority decision.
  • !Mixing monthly and annual inputs without converting them consistently.
  • !Forgetting location-specific taxes, fees, eligibility rules or payroll deductions where they apply.
  • !Testing only one scenario instead of checking how a cautious assumption changes the result.

What to do next

  • Run a second scenario with a cautious assumption so you can see the downside clearly.
  • Compare the result with the related calculators below before making a decision.
  • Check current local rules, eligibility and provider terms before applying or committing money.
  • Keep a record of the assumptions so you can update the estimate when a quote, bill or pay figure changes.
  • Use the result to prepare better questions for a lender, provider, adviser or employer rather than treating it as a final answer.

Frequently asked

The average UK wedding costs around £18,000–£25,000 in 2024, including venue, catering, photography, and other suppliers.

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