A $20,000 wedding budget can get you an upscale microwedding or a crafty large wedding – you just have to be intentional about what you prioritize. So what does a $20,000 wedding budget look like at different sizes?
We’ve put together a detailed guide to show you how to allocate your budget across different wedding sizes. From intimate micro weddings to extra-large celebrations, here’s a practical breakdown to help you plan a beautiful wedding that doesn’t break the bank.
Find out how far a $20,000 budget can stretch by using Tulle Together’s budget breakdown tool! You can put in your budget and see how it distributes across the most common wedding categories so you know how much you have to work with. After you play around with your budget, you can use Tulle Together to plan your wedding from start to finish, keeping track of all the details along the way. Sign up here to try it out!
Micro Wedding (Up to 25 Guests)
A micro wedding is perfect for couples who want an ultra-intimate celebration with just their nearest and dearest.
Venue and Catering: $8,000 ($320 per guest)
Choose an upscale restaurant or private estate with catering included for an intimate, high-end feel.
Photography and Videography: $4,000
Focus on hiring a professional photographer for a few hours to capture the most meaningful moments. You can scale back your catering & venue if you want to splurge here instead!
Attire: $2,000
Splurge a little on your outfit or look for sample sales to find something stunning at a fraction of the cost.
Hair and Beauty: $1,000
Treat yourself to professional hair and makeup for a polished look that will shine in photos.
Decor and Flowers: $2,000
Invest in statement decor pieces like a ceremony flowers and lush centerpieces to create a beautiful ambiance.
Entertainment: $2,000
Hire musicians or a DJ to set the perfect mood for your celebration.
Invitations and Miscellaneous: $1,000
Use digital invitations or artisan-designed paper invites and save some funds for any last-minute needs.
Small Wedding (26-50 Guests)
A small wedding offers more room to include additional loved ones while keeping the atmosphere intimate and personal.
Venue and Catering: $9,000 ($180-$350 per guest)
Look for charming venues with inclusive catering packages or consider hosting at off-peak times to stretch your budget.
Photography and Videography: $3,500
Limit coverage hours to save costs while ensuring the most important moments are captured. You can scale back your catering & venue if you want to splurge here instead!
Attire: $2,000
Explore rental options, off-the-rack styles, or gently used wedding outfits to save money.
Hair and Beauty: $500
Opt for professional hair and makeup to ensure you look your best.
Decor and Flowers: $2,500
Focus on DIY decor projects and choose seasonal flowers to keep the ambiance beautiful yet affordable.
Entertainment: $1,500
A DJ or carefully curated playlist with a good sound system can keep the party lively without overspending.
Invitations and Miscellaneous: $1,000
Use digital invitations or DIY printed ones, and reserve some funds for unexpected expenses.
Medium Wedding (51-75 Guests)
A medium-sized wedding strikes a balance between intimacy and inclusivity.
Venue and Catering: $9,000 ($120-$176 per guest)
Consider versatile venues that allow outside catering or book during non-peak times to save on costs.
Photography and Videography: $3,000
Limit coverage hours to save costs while ensuring the most important moments are captured.
Attire: $2,000
Look for secondhand gowns or shop end-of-season sales for affordable attire options.
Hair and Beauty: $800
Invest in professional hair or makeup to look your best.
Decor and Flowers: $2,100
Reuse ceremony decorations at the reception and mix fresh flowers with greenery for cost-effective beauty.
Entertainment: $2,100
Invest in a DJ to get the party going.
Invitations and Miscellaneous: $1000
Choose digital invitations or DIY invitations and allocate funds for emergency or priority costs.
Large Wedding (100-150 Guests)
For a larger wedding, strategic choices and compromises are key to staying on budget.
Venue and Catering: $12,000 ($80-$120 per guest)
Opt for more affordable venues and choose buffet-style catering to reduce costs.
Photography and Videography: $2,000
Limit photography coverage to a set number of hours or hire an up-and-coming photographer.
Attire: $1,000
Look for discounted gowns or suits, or consider renting attire to save money.
Hair and Beauty: $500
Invest in professional hair or makeup to look your best. Your costs will vary depending on where you’re located!
Decor and Flowers: $2,000
Reuse ceremony decor at the reception and focus on simple, elegant arrangements.
Entertainment: $2,000
Hire a DJ or rent quality sound equipment to ensure this larger crowd is dancing.
Planner/Coordinator: $0
Ask a trusted friend or family member to help with day-of coordination duties.
Invitations and Miscellaneous: $500
DIY your invitations and reserve some extra money for emergencies
Extra-Large Wedding (150+ Guests)
For an extra-large celebration, staying within a $20,000 budget requires lots of creativity and some sacrifices.
Venue and Catering: $13,000 ($60 per guest or less)
Consider unconventional venues like parks or backyards, and simplify catering with food trucks or drop-off catering
Photography and Videography: $1,500
Prioritize capturing key moments by hiring a photographer for only a few hours.
Attire: $500
Rent or thrift your outfits to free up budget.
Hair and Beauty: $500
Search around for an up-and-coming HMUA.
Decor and Flowers: $1,200
Buy flowers in bulk and DIY your own arrangements and decor.
Entertainment: $1,500
Use a curated playlist and rent basic sound equipment.
Planner/Coordinator: $1200
For such a big crowd and multiple DIY elements, consider hiring a coordinator to keep everything running smoothly even if it feels like a big chunk of your budget.
Invitations and Miscellaneous: $600
Opt for digital invitations and considering cutting from other categories to create an emergency buffer.
Micro and small weddings allow you to invest more per guest, making the experience more luxurious. Medium to large weddings can still have traditional elements if you’re intentional with what you spend. For extra large weddings, you’ll need to get creative and deviate from the typical wedding framework to be affordable.
No matter the size of your guest list though, with creativity and thoughtful planning, your $20,000 wedding will still be magical. Happy planning!
Find out how far a $20,000 budget can stretch by using Tulle Together’s budget breakdown tool! You can put in your budget and see how it distributes across the most common wedding categories so you know how much you have to work with. After you play around with your budget, you can use Tulle Together to plan your wedding from start to finish, keeping track of all the details along the way. Sign up here to try it out!
