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Updated Mar 06, 2025This Couple Planned a $50K Wedding—See How They Spent Every Cent
Here's where these love birds saved and splurged.
So you want to see what a real $50K wedding looks like. We don't blame you. There's not much budget transparency in the wedding world (and it becomes more muddled with the trillions of inspo images splashed across social media—none of which have price tags attached). That's why we're analyzing this couple's full wedding spend to show one way you could divvy your dollars, give you an idea of what to prioritize and provide you with visuals (yes, we have photos) to see how it all came together.
Lucia and Charles originally budgeted $15K for their destination wedding in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area, but after getting a quote from one venue for $40K, they had to reset their wedding expectations. To give their 80 guests the wedding experience the couple dreamed of, they increased their budget to $40K and then to $60K to accommodate every detail. The pair's top priorities were the venue, photography and videography, and catering. (BTW: You can find vendors in your top categories and in your budget range on The Knot Vendor Marketplace.)
While it's a big jump from their original number, Lucia and Charles have no regrets about their final total: $55,850. Lucia spent her life battling some serious health issues (missing out on milestone celebrations in the process), so this wedding was both a commemoration of love and of life—and that's worth every penny. Find a full sample wedding budget breakdown of their just-about-$50,000 event below.
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In this story: $55K Budget Breakdown | Photos | Takeaways
$55K Wedding Budget Breakdown From a Real Couple
Couples with a roughly $50,000 wedding budget can use this pie chart as a loose guide to see where their dollars could go. Though, keep in mind that these percentages are flexible and can vary based on your priorities, location and specific needs. If you want more info on what the average wedding cost in your area is, use The Knot Budget Advisor to get your ducks in a row.
Design: The Knot
Venue: $11,660
Finding the right venue was a prime concern for the couple. They flew out from their native Miami to explore options in Tennessee and Georgia, looking at nearly 20 venues in total. But once the pair stepped into the bright and airy space they chose, the bride was moved to tears. You can't argue with that reaction—plus, included tables, chairs, linens and decor helped justify the $10,350 price. (Ask about inclusions when you tour your own venue options, plus these other wedding venue questions.) The total also included a spot for the rehearsal dinner ($655) and the officiant fee (also $655).
Food & Beverage: $9,760
Food was another top priority, specifically for Charles. They narrowed their pool down to three different caterers using reviews on The Knot Vendor Marketplace (you can also use these questions for wedding caterers to narrow your own search), then sampled their offerings before picking their favorite. The food itself cost $6,455, with beverages and bartending services (including a rustic bar trailer) coming in at $3,305.
Photography & Videography: $9,250
Lucia had been in awe of her wedding videographer's work for years, so it was an easy decision to devote a good chunk of change to this wedding element. The bride even said she'd be willing to change the date if he wasn't available. The videography itself cost $5,500, and an additional $3,000 was devoted to a separate wedding photographer. Engagement shots ($750) also play into this total. If you don't have your heart set on a pro to capture your day, use these questions for a wedding photographer and questions for a wedding videographer to find the right ones.
Attire & Beauty: $5,150
Lucia donned a lace, mermaid-style wedding gown (and a flirty short, white frock for the reception), while Charles chose a sleek burgundy suit. Wedding attire and alterations cost $4,700, and a makeup artist ($235) and hair stylist ($215) topped off the attire and beauty portion of their budget. Use these questions for a wedding makeup artist to find your dream beauty team.
Live Wedding Painter: $4,250
We love a niche vendor. A live wedding painter created a portrait of the couple on their wedding day in real time. These artists are super skilled, so for couples looking for a unique keepsake, this type of pro might be worth the splurge.
Flowers: $3,812
The couple selected blooms in fall hues, like rich red, soft blush and burnt orange, accented with eucalyptus and fluffy pampas grass. From aisle-side arrangements, to a circular wedding arch, bouquets and sweetheart-table blossoms, the total came in at just under $4,000. The couple opted for very minimal florals on their reception tables in favor of adding them to a few high-impact areas. In your list of questions to ask a wedding florist, add a query about reusing arrangements from the ceremony at the reception to save some cash.
Music: $2,795
Lucia and Charles opted for a DJ to provide the tunes at their reception. As you think of some questions for a wedding DJ, inquire about whether additional tech is included in their fee and, if you're into the idea of an after-party, if they can stick around after the reception.
Cake: $1,122
Love is sweet—and so is a dessert spread. The couple selected a simple two-tier cake and surrounded it with a bevy of little treats like fruit tarts, parfaits and truffles. The total above includes the venue's cake cutting fee. Ask your wedding baker questions about other dessert options you could provide in addition to your cake if you love the idea of a scrumptious spread.
Stationery: $415
The pair nodded to their wedding's location amidst the Appalachian mountains in their wedding stationery, which seems to be a design from an online retailer. Include an inquisition on how to incorporate your wedding location into your wedding paper on your list of questions to ask a wedding stationery designer.
Gifts: $227
Lucia and Charles set aside a portion of their just-over-$50,000 budget to purchase gifts for loved ones involved in the wedding. Because you can't forget the loved ones that supported you up to this day (and likely talked you through budget struggles like who pays for a wedding and setting up wedding payment plans).
Miscellaneous: $7,409
Extras like vow booklets, the seating chart and red getaway car all could contribute to the final section of this sample budget for a $50,000 affair. Wedding coordination might also fall under this total. These little extras add up.
What Does a $55K Wedding Look Like?
Now that we've covered the ins and outs of their budget, we'll show you what these details actually look like all together. There's so much discrepancy between cost and the final result when it comes to weddings. If you're wondering "Is $50K too much for a wedding?" or "Is $50K enough for a wedding?" you can determine your answer based on the visuals below. (Spoiler alert: There's no right amount to spend on a wedding, so long as you're comfortable and happy.)
Flower-Adorned Ceremony Arch
A simple circular arch served as the ceremony backdrop, with asymmetrical floral adornments. Not much else is needed to set the scene, given the gorgeous natural scenery.
Mountain-Themed Wedding Stationery
The couple's invites nodded to the Appalachian location. They opted for a simple invitation with a single enclosure card directing guests to their wedding website.
Red Getaway Car
A shiny ruby-red vintage car was on site for the couple to take a postceremony joy ride. It also took the newlyweds from the reception to married life.
Quirky Bar Trailer
This rustic bar trailer set the scene for cocktail hour. It added a touch of whimsy and fit right in with the country setting.
Long Farmhouse Reception Tables
Rustic farmhouse tables and chairs were included in the venue cost. They were adorned with floating candles and simple flower arrangements.
Mixed Table Styles
A mix of long tables and round tables add visual interest to the airy venue. Pops of red in the linens attract the eye.
Reception Decor
A marquee sign of the couple's first initials illuminated a corner of the venue, while the flower-filled sweetheart served as the other focal point of the room.
Live Wedding Painter
A live wedding painter captured a sweet image of the couple from the ceremony. Plus, the artist finished the painting during the reception, providing a little entertainment for guests.
Sparkling Sendoff
The pair opted for this sparkler-like sendoff at the end of their reception. You could say sparks were flying—literally.
Couple's Biggest Takeaways When Planning Their $55K Wedding
If you're hashing out how much you can spend and ways to pay for a wedding, you might feel a little isolated. Not many folks are transparent about if they need to think about making extra money for a wedding or how many couples go over budget. Below, find Lucia and Charles' biggest takeaways and advice.
- Communication is key: The couple was honest about how wedding planning stress felt for them and mentioned that they got through it by open and honest communication with each other. Lucia's mother mentioned that she was impressed with Charles' sense of responsibility and compromise during wedding planning. With clear communication, the couple selected their top three priority areas, which made up roughly half of their overall budget.
- You must meet in the middle: Lucia and Charles had different top wedding priorities—he wanted to splurge on catering, while she wanted to prioritize a pricey videographer. Lucia agreed to look at less-expensive options, but ultimately Charles insisted she get her dream vendor. The pair also had to work with their differing financial backgrounds, as Charles came from a frugal family and Lucia was raised with less strict rules for spending. "At the end of the day, that day of the wedding is a reflection of both parts of the couple, of what their perfect day would look like," Charles said.
- Be prepared for a wedding wake up call: As aforementioned, the couple's budget skyrocketed from $15K to $40K to $60K over the course of their planning process. After they first started to meet with vendors and get quotes, they received a "wedding wake up call" of what skilled pros cost.
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Your memories are valuable too: Ultimately, the couple had no regrets in increasing their spending threshold. That's not to say everyone should bump up their budget, just that you shouldn't feel any guilt about creating a day that's truly special and feels like you.
