If you’re planning a wedding in Colorado with a $30,000 budget, you might be wondering how far this number can get you. To help guide your planning, let’s first take a look at the average costs of a wedding in Colorado. According to Tulle’s cost projection tool (which you can use for yourself by logging in here!), an average wedding with 100 guests may cost around $28,188, while a more luxurious affair could near $50,000.
But where does all this money go? Based on the typical percentages couples spend on their wedding, we’re able to take a look at what you might be looking to spend for common wedding categories. We’ll be using $30,000 to distribute across categories, like what you see in this graph below. To run your own projection, sign up or log in to Tulle.
Here’s how to break down a $30,000 budget for a Colorado wedding, what it might get you, and how feasible it is depending on your guest count.
Looking for more ways to plan your wedding seamlessly? Sign up for Tulle Together, a wedding budgeting tool designed to help you make smarter spending choices. You can project your total wedding cost, review our database of venue pricing PDFs, compare vendors side by side, and get into the details of all your wedding costs. Sign up here!
The Big Ticket Items: Venue and Catering (Food & Beverage)
In Colorado, the venue and food & beverage are significant aspects of your wedding budget, taking up about 40% of the total cost, based on a $30,000 budget. In this case, you’re looking at spending approximately $6,000 each on both the venue and catering, leaving you with 60% of your budget for other essentials.
Here’s an example breakdown of venue and catering costs based on guest count and the $30,000 budget:
$30,000 Budget in Colorado for 50 Guests
- Venue + Catering: $240 per guest
- Total Cost Estimate: $12,000
- Feasibility: Achievable. A smaller guest list allows for more flexibility with the venue and catering quality. With fewer guests, consider additional personalized touches like unique rentals or enhanced décor.
$30,000 Budget in Colorado for 100 Guests
- Venue + Catering: $120 per guest
- Total Cost Estimate: $12,000
- Feasibility: Ver manageable. With a moderate guest count, you’ll want to select vendors that align with this cost structure to stay within budget.
$30,000 Budget in Colorado for 150 Guests
- Venue + Catering: $80 per guest
- Total Cost Estimate: $12,000
- Feasibility:Very possible but requires budgeting for more affordable venue and catering options, like choosing less traditional setups or simplifying the catering style.
$30,000 Budget in Colorado for 200 Guests
- Venue + Catering: $60 per guest
- Total Cost Estimate: $12,000
- Feasibility: Could be challenging depending on your ideas. With a larger guest list, consider creative solutions, such as food stations or buffet-style catering, to maintain quality within your budget.
Additional Key Expenses
With approximately 60% of your $30,000 budget remaining after allocating for the venue and catering, here’s how the other elements might look, based on Colorado’s market and the breakdown percentages:
- Wedding Planner (10%): $3,000
Many couples find a wedding planner essential, especially if you’re organizing from out of state. This cost helps you stay on track with the budget and coordinate all the details smoothly. If you don’t hire a wedding planner, you can redistribute this across the other categories. - Photography (10%): $3,000
Photography captures memories from the day, and in Colorado’s scenic landscapes, a good photographer can bring out the best in your location. Consider limiting coverage hours or opting out of extras, like an engagement shoot, to stay within this budget. - Entertainment (10%): $3,000
This budget allows for a DJ or curated playlists to create a fun atmosphere. A live band may stretch this budget, so if you’re interested in live music, consider hiring musicians for specific parts of the event, like the ceremony or cocktail hour. - Flowers (9%): $2,700
Colorado weddings often include beautiful florals that fit the natural surroundings. Keep costs down by focusing on high-impact areas like the bridal bouquet, ceremony arch, or reception tables. - Attire (7%): $2,100
This includes attire for both partners. Shopping for pre-loved options or renting can be a good way to maintain quality while staying within your budget. - Rentals (5%): $1,500
If the venue doesn’t provide essentials like tables, chairs, and linens, this allocation can cover those basics. For larger weddings, additional rentals may be necessary, so consider this if your guest list grows. - Additional Items (3%): $900
This category can cover small but essential items, like tips, décor, or extra favors. Keep a portion of this budget as a buffer for unexpected costs. - Transportation (2%): $600
For a Colorado wedding, consider transport options for guests, especially if your venue is off the beaten path or if many guests are traveling. - Invites (1%): $300
Invitations can be a minor yet meaningful expense. To save, consider digital invites or limit physical invitations to close family and friends. - Day of Stationery (1%): $300
This budget is for items like programs, seating charts, or signage. For a Colorado wedding, rustic or nature-inspired stationery can complement your theme without overspending.
The Verdict
With the average cost of a wedding for 100 people in Colorado landing around $30,000, it’s very doable to have a great event without making too many sacrifices. For larger weddings of 150-200 guests, compromises in key areas may be necessary to stay within budget, but could be challenging. Using tools like our cost projection feature or exploring our database of Colorado PDFs through our Wedding Pricing Transparency Project can provide a useful starting point for understanding how your budget might break down and where you might need to make adjustments. Good luck planning!
Looking for more ways to plan your wedding seamlessly? Sign up for Tulle Together, a wedding budgeting tool designed to help you make smarter spending choices. You can project your total wedding cost, review our database of venue pricing PDFs, compare vendors side by side, and get into the details of all your wedding costs. Sign up here!
