The Dream Edit

Know exactly what your wedding will cost — before you book a single vendor.

A working planner. Every number you enter updates the whole tool instantly.

Module 1

The Reality Number

START HERE BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE

Most couples don't know thisNearly 70% of couples blow past their wedding budget. The most common reason: they set a number before understanding what that number actually buys in their market.

Total budget

Guest count

State

Wedding season

Enter your budget and guest count above to see your per-person reality number.

Module 2

The Hidden Fee Audit

WHAT YOUR CONTRACTS ARE NOT TELLING YOU

How this worksThe cost ranges shown on every row are 2026 US national averages — use them as a reality check. If you have an actual quote or know your real number, type it in the dollar box. Every number you enter flows into your Projected Real Cost in the sidebar automatically.

Venue and catering quote translator

Enter the headline number the venue gave you. We will show what you will actually pay.

Quoted price

Service charge %

Sales tax %

Is gratuity included?

Vendor count for vendor meals

The Real Number

Quoted price$0

Plus Service charge (22%)$0

Plus Sales tax$0

Plus Gratuity$0

Plus Vendor meals$0

REAL ALL-IN$0

Hidden fee audit

Check each fee you will encounter and enter what it costs you. The total flows into your projected real cost.

Venue & Catering

Service charge (18–24% of food/bev)

$1,500–$5,000

Sales tax on F&B

$800–$3,000

Gratuity (often separate)

$1,000–$3,000

Cake cutting fee

$200–$800

Setup and breakdown fee

$300–$1,500

Parking and valet

$500–$2,000

Security staff required

$300–$1,000

In-house coordinator fee

$500–$2,500

Venue & Catering subtotal$0

Photography

Second shooter

$300–$800

Engagement session

$200–$600

Wedding album (almost never in base price)

$500–$3,000

Print package

$300–$1,500

Rush delivery fee

$200–$500

Travel fee

$150–$800

Overtime rate per hour

$200–$500

Photography subtotal$0

Florals

Delivery and setup

$150–$500

Breakdown and retrieval

$100–$300

Travel fee for remote venues

$100–$400

Rush order fee if booked late

$200–$800

Florals subtotal$0

DJ and Band

Setup time billed by venue (2hr typical)

$300–$600

DJ overtime

$150–$300/hr

Band overtime

$500–$1,000/hr

Equipment rental if venue incompatible

$300–$1,500

MC fee if not included

$200–$600

DJ and Band subtotal$0

Hair and Makeup

Travel fee to getting-ready location

$100–$400

Parking fee

$50–$200

Assistant fee for large parties

$200–$600

Second trial if first needs redoing

$100–$300

Hair and Makeup subtotal$0

Stationery and Postage

Save the dates plus postage

$200–$600

Invitation suite plus postage (rarely one stamp)

$400–$1,500

RSVP cards plus return postage

$150–$500

Ceremony programs

$150–$600

Day-of signage (welcome, seating, bar menu)

$200–$800

Place cards and escort cards

$100–$400

Thank-you notes plus postage

$100–$300

Stationery and Postage subtotal$0

Module 2 Total — Hidden Fees Audited

0 fees identified

This total flows into your Projected Real Cost in the sidebar.

Module 3

The Complete Budget Breakdown

WHERE YOUR MONEY SHOULD ACTUALLY GO

I am hiring a full-service planner (add 10% line)

Adds a planner line at 10% and scales all other categories proportionally

Enter your total budget in Module 1 to see dollar estimates for each category.

Category	% and Est.	Your quote
Venue + catering	42.8% · est. —
Photography + videography	11.4% · est. —
Florals + decor	8.6% · est. —
Entertainment	7.6% · est. —
Attire + beauty	8.6% · est. —
Stationery + postage	2.4% · est. —
Transportation	1.9% · est. —
Officiant + ceremony	1.9% · est. —
Wedding rings	2.9% · est. —
Tips + gratuity	2.9% · est. —
Contingency buffer	4.3% · est. —
Honeymoon	4.8% · est. —

TipReplace estimates with real numbers as your quotes arrive. The sidebar auto-totals them into your projected cost.

Module 3 Total — Vendor Quotes Entered

This is your most accurate cost estimate. It overrides the budget estimate in the sidebar when quotes are entered.

Module 4

The Complete Hidden Cost Inventory

EVERY COST COUPLES FORGET TO BUDGET FOR

How this worksThese are real costs most couples forget to include. The ranges shown are 2026 US national averages. Check any item that applies to your wedding, then type your actual quote in the dollar box. Your total builds at the bottom of each section and flows into your Projected Real Cost.

Items identified

0/55

Low-end value identified

Attire & beauty

Couples budget for the dress and forget everything else.

Wedding dress alterations

$150–$800

Veil

$100–$500

Wedding shoes

$75–$300

Jewelry

$100–$500

Hair trial

$75–$150

Makeup trial

$75–$150

Spray tan

$50–$100

Mani-pedi

$50–$100

Wedding night / honeymoon outfit

$50–$200

Dress preservation after wedding

$150–$400

Groom: suit or tux, shoes, tie, cufflinks, pocket square

$300–$1,000

Bridesmaid hair and makeup if covering

$100–$200/person

Bridesmaid dresses if covering

$100–$250/person

Groomsmen attire or rental if covering

$100–$250/person

Attire & beauty subtotal$0

Flowers

Most couples budget for centerpieces and forget the other 11 line items.

Bridal bouquet

$150–$400

Bridesmaid bouquets

$75–$150 each

Boutonnieres

$15–$40 each

Corsages

$25–$75 each

Flower girl crown and petals

$50–$150

Ceremony arch or altar arrangement

$500–$2,500

Aisle petals or markers

$100–$400

Cocktail hour arrangements

$200–$800

Reception centerpieces

$100–$500 each

Cake florals

$100–$400

Head table or sweetheart table arrangement

$200–$800

Bathroom arrangements

$50–$200

Delivery, setup, breakdown

$150–$500

Flowers subtotal$0

Rentals

Upgraded chairs (Chiavari)

$8–$15/chair

Specialty linens

$25–$75/table

Charger plates

$3–$8 each

Lounge furniture for cocktail hour

$500–$2,000

Photo booth

$800–$1,500

Uplighting

$500–$2,000

String / bistro lights

$500–$1,500

Dance floor if not included

$500–$1,500

Heaters or fans depending on season

$200–$800

Tent for outdoor backup

$1,500–$5,000

Rentals subtotal$0

Pre-wedding events

Engagement party hosting costs

$500–$3,000

Bridal shower hosting costs

$500–$2,500

Bridesmaids proposal gifts

$25–$100 each

Bachelorette party costs

$500–$2,000

Bachelor party costs

$500–$2,000

Rehearsal dinner

$1,500–$8,000

Welcome bags for out-of-town guests

$15–$40/bag

Pre-wedding events subtotal$0

Wedding party & family gifts

Wedding party gifts

$30–$100/person

Parent gifts

$75–$200/set

Flower girl and ring bearer gifts

$25–$75

Wedding party & family gifts subtotal$0

Admin & legal

Marriage license

$50–$100

Wedding insurance

$150–$500

Name change fees after wedding

$50–$200

Vendor tips and gratuity

$500–$1,500

Admin & legal subtotal$0

After the wedding

Dress cleaning and preservation

$150–$400

Thank-you notes and postage

$100–$300

Wedding album if not pre-purchased

$500–$3,000

Honeymoon

$5,000–$8,000

After the wedding subtotal$0

Module 4 Total — Hidden Costs Identified

0 of 55 items checked

This total flows into your Projected Real Cost in the sidebar.

Module 5

The Pinterest Reality Translator

WHAT YOUR PINTEREST BOARD ACTUALLY COSTS

Most couples don't know this91% of couples use social media for wedding inspiration. 48% struggle with the gap between what they see online and what their budget can actually do. A growing number of wedding images online are AI-generated scenes that never existed. This module translates your Pinterest board into real dollars.

Tap any element you want at your wedding — your Pinterest cost updates live.

Pinterest Reality Total

$0–$0

across 0 selected elements

Set your budget in Module 1 to see your gap.

Module 6

The Guest Count Reality Check

THE SINGLE BIGGEST DRIVER OF YOUR BUDGET

Move the slider. Every per-guest cost recalculates instantly.

100

Catering	$85–$150/guest	$8,500–$15,000
Bar	$40–$85/guest	$4,000–$8,500
Cake	$5–$15/guest	$500–$1,500
Favor	$3–$15/guest	$300–$1,500
Invitation + postage	$3–$8/guest	$300–$800
Escort card	$1–$3/guest	$100–$300
Chair rental	$8–$15/guest	$800–$1,500

Estimated total for 100 guests

$14,500–$29,100

Module 7

Splurge vs Save Engine

WHERE TO SPEND MORE AND WHERE TO CUT WITHOUT REGRET

Always Splurge

Photography and videography

The only vendor whose work exists long after the wedding day.

Food and bar

The thing guests remember and talk about for years.

Venue

A beautiful venue reduces what you spend on decor.

Entertainment

A great DJ or band controls the energy of the reception.

Almost Always Save

Wedding favors

Most guests leave them. Budget $0–$3/person maximum.

Fancy cake for all guests

A 2-tier display cake plus sheet cakes looks identical in photos and saves $500–$1,500.

Chair covers

Good lighting transforms a room faster and cheaper than chair covers.

Envelope liners and wax seals

Nobody remembers the inside of the envelope.

Monogrammed cocktail napkins

Nobody takes them home.

Personalized favors

Nobody takes them home either.

Depends on Your Priorities

Florals

If visual impact is your number one priority splurge. If not, greenery and candles often do the work for less.

Live band vs DJ

Band is far more expensive. Great DJ $1,500–$2,500. Live band $4,000–$10,000.

Videography

If truly budget-limited, prioritize photography first but many couples regret skipping video.

Photo booth

Fun for guests but not essential. Cut if budget is tight.

Module 8

The Contingency and Debt Reality

THE MATH EVERY COUPLE NEEDS TO DO BEFORE THEY BOOK

Contingency buffer

Add your total vendor quotes or projected cost. We will add a 10% buffer and a 1.15x projection.

Total vendor quotes ($)

Most couples don't know thisWeddings typically go 10–20% over original budget. On a $30,000 wedding that is $3,000–$6,000. Always hold a 10% buffer in reserve and never spend it until the wedding is over.

Payment timeline

Add your wedding date. We will calculate exactly when each payment is due.

Wedding date

Add a wedding date to calculate milestone dates.

Module 9

Budget Health Score and Report

YOUR COMPLETE WEDDING BUDGET DIAGNOSIS

Your complete cost breakdown

Module 2 — Hidden fees audited$0

Module 3 — Vendor quotes entered$0

Module 4 — Hidden costs identified$0

Module 5 — Pinterest wishlist midpoint estimate$0

Module 8 — Contingency vendor total$0

Projected real cost—

Stated budget—

Gap—

/100

Reality check needed

Budget vs guest count0 / 20

Hidden fees accounted for0 / 15

Contingency buffer0 / 15

Priority alignment0 / 15

Regional reality0 / 15

Pinterest gap addressed0 / 10

Honeymoon budgeted0 / 10

Pick your top 3 and save 3

Tap Top for your must-haves. Tap Save to deprioritize and free up money.

Venue + catering

Photography + videography

Florals + decor

Entertainment

Attire + beauty

Stationery + postage

Transportation

Officiant + ceremony

Wedding rings

Planner / coordinator

Tips + gratuity

Contingency buffer

Honeymoon

Top selected: 0/3 · Saved: 0/3

The best budgets reflect your priorities, not a generic wedding percentage rule.

Next steps

Enter your budget and guest count in Module 1
Select your top 3 priorities in Module 9
Review hidden costs in Module 4 — most couples miss 10+ line items
Price your inspiration board in Module 5
Add your total vendor quotes in Module 8
Add your wedding date in Module 8 for a payment timeline
Add your location in Module 1 for regional pricing context