Honest numbers, checked by people
Most wedding budget tools online are thin pages with made-up percentages. We built this one because couples deserve better data before they sign $30,000 worth of contracts.
Where our numbers come from
- National totals and category shares come from The Knot 2026 Real Weddings Study ($34,200 average ceremony and reception cost).
- Vendor price ranges are cross-checked against Zola’s and The Knot’s published vendor cost data.
- State adjustments use the MERIC / C2ER cost-of-living index with a wedding-vendor premium for high-demand metros. A multiplier of 1.00 means the national average.
Our editorial process
- Every figure is entered by a researcher and checked by a second person against the source study before it ships.
- We show ranges, not false precision — every estimate is rounded to the nearest $50.
- Every page shows when it was last updated. We review all data when new annual studies are published, typically in February.
- Affiliate partnerships never influence our numbers or recommendations, and affiliate links are always labeled.
Estimates, not quotes. Our tools tell you what is typical. Your actual prices depend on your date, your city and the vendors you choose — always get written quotes.
Who we are
Wedding Budget Lab is written and maintained by <Tanveer Ahmad>. Data last updated October 14, 2026.
Found a figure that looks wrong? We want to know — corrections are reviewed within a week.