How to Budget for a Wedding - Weddings by Percentage

How important is the wine?

The national average for a wedding is about $20,000. I'm not sure how accurate that number is but I've heard that figure fairly often so I'm good with it.

The averages show a couple will spend their money in the following way:

• 51 percent on Reception, including reception hall, catering, cake and alcohol
• 10 percent on Photography
• 8 percent on Videography
• 9 percent on Ceremony
• 7 percent on Attire
• 6 percent on Rings
• 4 percent on Flowers
• 3 percent on Music
• 2 percent on Limo and transportation

 That means that the average photography budget is $2000. If the photography is more important, you should probably spend more, and vice versa if it's not important. The other things to consider would be whether you are spending money on some of the other items. If you're not getting a limo or having an open bar, that gives you more leeway to either add to another area (I vote photography) or simply save some money.

The original article on Virtual Photography Studio doesn't say where they got their numbers from but it seems pretty close in my experience so take it for what it's worth.

Here is the original article on how the average bride apportions her budget.