How to set a Wedding Budget

Budget

Oct 17

Great question. We are here to help.

The average cost of a Destination based California wedding is $44,051 according to the WeddingWire’s 2023 Newlywed report. For couples who marry in our around our hometown of Lake Tahoe, and other popular wedding destinations, the cost can increase. Many small, but important details, are what make a wedding cost so much and below we have broken those down for you so you can set a realistic budget.

NOTE: we work with every budget and take no judgement in what a couple chooses for their wedding priorities.

Primary Budget Driver:

Your guest count. This will be a primary driver of your wedding costs. Your food and beverage charges by head; so the higher your guest count the more you will spend on the dining portion of your wedding. Your guest count will also drive which venues are available. There are a limited number of venues that can hold a large amount of guests and as a result often price accordingly. Floral and decor can also increase proportionate to your headcount based on size and space you wish to decorate.

Every wedding is going to cost a different amount depending on your priorities. That is why we, at Pomegranate Occasions, spend extra time focusing on your priorities for your day so we can allocate your budget to focus on what matters most to you. We also introduce you to the best wedding venue and local vendors in the area that fit within your budget.

What does a professional Wedding Vendor Cost?

Vendor and venue pricing varies but below are typical pricing ranges for the Tahoe region along with the percentage of the budget that they generally are allocated to:

Catering: (food, service, & gratuity) $60 - $160+ per head (~19% of budget)
- ~$55/guest for an entree and two side dishes
- ~$15/guest for two appetizers
- ~$15/guest for service
- + ~8.5% tax
- + ~18% gratuity
Venue fee: $5,000 - $15,000 (~10% of budget)
Venue fees range based on location, size, and included services. This fee simple reserves the venue for your celebration.
Wedding Coordinator: $3,000 - $10,000 (~10% of budget)
Most wedding planning services offer three service types: Day Of, Partial Planning, and Full Planning. Depended on your service selection prices can range between $3,000 to 10% of your total budget for larger weddings.
DJ / Entertainment: $2,800 - $13,000 (~8% of budget)
Professional, experienced DJ’s start at $2,800 for wedding day services. Typically uplighting or travel fees may be included.
Professional, experienced Wedding Bands start at ~$1,000 / per band member + travel and lodging based on homebase location.
Bar and Beverage: $50 - $80 per head (~6% of budget)
In general, each guest consume ~1 drinks / hour of your event. We budget for drinks to cost a minimum of $10/drink (dependent on drink selections). A simple way to estimate your Bar and Beverage Bill for a venue is with the following formula:
- Number of Guests * 1.5 Drinks Consumed * Number of Hours in your event * $10/ drink. Example:
  100 guests * 1.5 drinks consumed = 150 drinks consumed per hour
  150 drinks * 5 hour event = 750 drinks consumed during the event
  750 drinks * ~$10/average drink cost = $7,500 for alcohol
- + ~$250 for Bartender Service Fees (at select venues) or
  For DIY Bar Venues, plan for about $1,200 for Traveling Bartenders and about $5/drink if buying in bulk. See our bartending services here!
Photography: $3,500 - $9,500 (~6% of budget)
Professional photographer pricing ranges between $3,500 — $10,000 based on the packages they offer.
Most of our clients spend on average $5,000 for 8 hours of photography.
Florals: $2,000 - $10,000 (~7% of budget)
The following is a breakdown of typical floral categories and average client spend for a 100 guest count wedding. Floral spend is subjective based on couples preferences and priority within the wedding budget:
- ~$1,000 - Wedding Party Floral - (Bridal bouquets, boutonnières, etc.)
- ~$1,200 - Ceremony Floral (Arch Sprays, aisle markers)
- ~$3,500 - Reception Floral (Centerpieces and station arrangements)
Cinema: $3,000 - $6,000 (~6% of budget)
Professional cinematography pricing ranges between $3,000 — $6,000 based on the packages they offer. Most of our clients spend on average $4,000 for 8 hours of cinematography.
Hair & Makeup (for the bride): $350 - $600 (hair, makeup, nails) (~0.5% of budget)
Clients typically spend ~$350 for a Bridal Hair & Makeup package. Prices can increase based on:
- + ~$125 Travel Fee
- +~$100 - $300 for Beauty Add On’s like eyelashes, airbrushing, etc.
- +~$125 /bridal party member add on
Website & Stationary: $600 - $2,000 (~2% of budget)
- ~$2/Save The Dates + postage
- ~$6/Invitation + postage
- ~$2/Thank You Card + postage
Officiant: $350 - $600 (~0.5% of budget)
Professional Officiants range between $350 - $600 for services. Some denominations suggest a donation to their congregation. If you opt to have a friend or family member perform services we find it typical for couple to purchase a Thank You gift in the amount of ~$100.
Desserts or Cake: $500 - $1,500 (~2% of budget)
Wedding Cake prices vary by baker, style, design, flavor, and icing but typically start at:
- ~$370 - (serves 35) Single Tier Wedding Cakes
- ~$560 - (serves 40) Double Tier Wedding Cakes
- ~$995 - (serves 75) Triple Tier Wedding Cakes
- $5/dessert bite / guest - Dessert Bars - we advise to plan for 2-3 bites per guest.
- + ~$50 - $100 for delivery / set up
Transportation: $1,000 - $1,500 per shuttle (~2% of budget)
Shuttle costs start at $850 for a ~25 passenger bus for a 5 hour minimum. Costs can increase based on the size of the shuttle, gas prices, and the amount of time the shuttle is needed.
Rentals and Decorations: $1,200 - $9,500 (~9% of budget)
The following is a breakdown of typical decor categories and average client spend. Decor & Rental spend is subjective based on couples preferences and priority within the wedding budget:
- ~$2,500 - Outdoor lounges and larger deliveries
- ~$5,000 - on Drapery & Installation
- ~$5,000 - on lighting & Installation
- ~$1,000 - on dance floors & Installation
- ~$2 - $25 / linen - ie.: tableclothes, napkins, and table runners
- ~$500 - Wedding Day Stationary: (i.e.: Table Seating Chart, Welcome Sign, Menus, Name Cards, Station signage - see our Signage Package)
- ~$100 - Gifts & Guest Book Station
- ~$100 - Personal items - i.e. photo frames of couple, wedding day knick knacks
Favors and Gifts: $500 - $1,500 (~2% of budget)
- $5/favor / guest - Wedding Favors
- $75/gift / wedding party member
Rehearsal Dinner: $2,000 - $4,000 (~6% of budget)
For parties over 12 guests, venues will require a venue fee to reserve a section of the restaurant for your larger gathering.
- ~$1,500 - Venue Fee
- ~$100/ guest for dinner, service, tax, and gratuity
- ~$50/ guest if hosting beverages
Day After Brunch: $700 - $1,500 (~3% of budget)
For parties over 12 guests, venues will require a venue fee to reserve a section of the restaurant for your larger gathering.
- ~$750 - Venue Fee
- ~$50/ guest for light breakfast, service, tax, and gratuity
Travel and Accommodations: $2,000 (1% of budget)
Travel and Accommodations vary by couple and preference. Typically this is not factored into the Wedding Day budget but on average we find couple spend about:
- $400/night for lodging (more on popular weekends or hotels)
- $800/flight for destination travel
- $500/rental cars for destination travel
Wedding Day Attire: $2,000 - $6,000 (~8% of budget)
Bridal Gowns are a personal preference and we see brides spend as little as $300 for a beachy gown to $6,000+ for a formal name brand designer. Often the wedding party attire is not accounted for in the wedding budget as that is accounted for by the bride / groom or family member separately.
- + ~$300 - $800 in alterations
- + ~$150 - $300 / bridemsaid - if the bride is personally investing in the Bridesmaids Attire
- + ~$200 - $600 / groom or groomsmen for rented or purchased tailored suits (~0.5% of budget)

Total: $45,000 - $100,000+ (and there’s always ways to spend more)

Really?!? That’s crazy!

Yes, but don’t walk away from your dreamy, adventurous wedding just yet. At Pomegranate Occasions, we have lots of tips and tricks to save you money throughout the process while still staying true to your vision.

We know how to save in areas that may be less of a priority and show you options to avoid peak pricing. We also know almost every vendors in the area and can find the right partners for you.