Planning a wedding? This is your personalized wedding budget estimate based on a guest count of less than 25 people and an average wedding cost of $23,719 - $28,989. Below, we've answered the most common questions about wedding costs to help you understand how this budget breaks down across different categories, from the venue to the photographer. Use these estimates to guide your planning and vendor selection.
Wedding Cost Summary
Wedding Budget:
$23,719 - $28,989
Lives in: Charlotte NC
Season:
Summer Wedding in 2027
How many guests:
This estimate is based on having 15 guests with a range of less than 25 guests. Adding a single guest will likely add $1,581 - $1,933 to the total amount spent.
The ceremony and reception will be at the same location
Wedding Location:
a resort or hotel
Type of wedding:
Beach, Experience, Romantic
Wedding color theme:
Ivory
Highest priorities:
Attire & Accessories (Wedding Dress, Suit, etc.)
Beauty, Health & Spa (Hair, Makeup, etc.)
Photography & Video
Wedding Cost Category Summary
Category
Estimated Cost
Percent of Estimate
Attire & Accessories
$3,461 - $4,231
14.6%
Bakery
$52 - $64
0.2%
Beauty Health & Spa
$237 - $289
1.0%
Entertainment
$1,519 - $1,857
6.4%
Event Venue & Services
$1,162 - $1,420
4.9%
Flowers & Decorations
$983 - $1,201
4.1%
Invitations
$122 - $150
0.5%
Jewelry
$6,512 - $7,959
27.5%
Other Events & Items
$1,183 - $1,445
5.0%
Photography & Video
$6,083 - $7,435
25.6%
Planner/Coordinator
$1,545 - $1,889
6.5%
Transportation
$860 - $1,051
3.6%
Total Cost
$23,719 - $28,989
100%
15-Month Wedding Purchase Timeline
Wedding Rings/Bands (not Engagement Ring)
Purchase/Book By:
10.6 mos
Event Location/Venue (all-inclusive)
Purchase/Book By:
9 mos
Wedding Dress
Purchase/Book By:
7.5 mos
Invitations
Purchase/Book By:
7.2 mos
Transportation (Limo, Other Travel, etc)
Purchase/Book By:
6.4 mos
Entertainment (DJ, Live Band, Musician/s, etc.)
Purchase/Book By:
6.4 mos
Other Wedding Jewelry (Earrings, Necklace, Watches, etc.)
NOTE: This wedding timeline is crafted based on the purchasing habits of other couples, providing a practical framework to guide your planning process. By reflecting common choices and sequences, it offers a reliable structure to help you organize your special day effectively.
What is the average cost of a wedding for 15 guests in United States?
For a wedding with 15 guests in the United States, the estimated total cost is around $23,719 - $28,989. This budget is a full estimate based on local averages across all vendor categories.
How much does a wedding cost per person in United States?
On average, the cost per guest for a wedding in United States is approximately $1,757. With a guest count of 15, this is a key factor in the total estimated budget of $23,719 - $28,989.
How does the cost of a wedding in United States compare to the national average?
The average wedding cost in United States is currently trending lower than the national average. The estimated budget of $23,719 - $28,989 reflects the specific spending by other couples in the local area.
Attire & Accessories
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Attire & Accessories
Dress Accessories
$423 - $517
1.8%
Tuxedo/suit/other Accessories
$198 - $242
0.8%
Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/purchase
$437 - $534
1.8%
Wedding Dress
$2,404 - $2,938
10.1%
Attire & Accessories Total Cost
$3,461 - $4,231
14.6%
How much should I budget for wedding dress accessories in Charlotte NC?
In Charlotte NC, the average budget for wedding attire, including veil and accessories is estimated at $423 - $517. This represents about 1.8% of your total wedding expenses.
What is the average cost of tuxedo or suit rentals for a wedding?
The estimated cost for the groom's attire and any rentals for the wedding party is $437 - $534.
How much should I budget for a wedding dress in Charlotte NC?
In Charlotte NC, the average budget for wedding attire, including the dress and alterations is estimated at $2,404 - $2,938. This represents about 10.1% of your total wedding expenses.
Bakery
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Bakery
Wedding Cake/dessert
$52 - $64
0.2%
Bakery Total Cost
$52 - $64
0.2%
What is the average price of a wedding cake in Charlotte NC?
The average cost for a wedding cake to serve 15 guests in Charlotte NC is $52 - $64. This price can vary based on the complexity of the design and flavors.
How much does a wedding cake cost per slice in my area?
In the Charlotte NC area and for this wedding, expect wedding cake pricing to be around $3 - $4 per slice.
Entertainment
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Entertainment
DJ/MC
$1,050 - $1,284
4.4%
Entertainment lighting
$469 - $573
2.0%
Entertainment Total Cost
$1,519 - $1,857
6.4%
How much should your wedding entertainment budget be in Charlotte NC?
Your total entertainment budget is estimated at $1,519 - $1,857, which is 6.4% of your total.
What's the average price for a wedding DJ in Charlotte NC?
The average cost to hire a professional wedding DJ for your reception in the Charlotte NC area is $1,050 - $1,284.
Event Venue & Services
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Event Venue & Services
Wedding Venue Bar Service
$284 - $347
1.2%
Wedding Venue Food Service
$542 - $662
2.3%
Wedding Venue Location Fee
$140 - $172
0.6%
Wedding Venue Rentals
$196 - $240
0.8%
Event Venue & Services Total Cost
$1,162 - $1,420
4.9%
How much does it cost to rent a wedding venue in Charlotte NC?
The cost for the ceremony and reception venue, including food, bar service, and rentals, is the largest expense. For a 15 guest wedding in Charlotte NC, you should budget approximately $1,162 - $1,420, which is about 4.9% of your total budget.
Flowers & Decorations
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Flowers & Decorations
Bouquets
$458 - $560
1.9%
Boutonnieres/Corsages
$211 - $257
0.9%
Ceremony Flowers & Decorations
$113 - $139
0.5%
Reception and Table Flowers & Decorations
$88 - $108
0.4%
Venue Decorations
$113 - $138
0.5%
Flowers & Decorations Total Cost
$983 - $1,201
4.1%
What is the average cost of wedding flowers for a ceremony and reception?
The estimated budget for all wedding floral arrangements (including bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces) and decorations is $983 - $1,201. This accounts for roughly 4.1% of your total expenses.
Invitations
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Invitations
Ceremony Programs
$15 - $19
0.1%
Engagement Announcements
$14 - $18
0.1%
Guest Book
$7 - $9
0.0%
Invitations and Reply Cards
$24 - $30
0.1%
Postage
$11 - $13
0.0%
Reception Menus
$15 - $19
0.1%
Save the Date Cards
$14 - $17
0.1%
Table Name and Escort/place Cards
$11 - $13
0.0%
Thank You Cards
$11 - $13
0.0%
Invitations Total Cost
$122 - $150
0.5%
How much do wedding invitations and stationery cost for 15 guests?
The estimated cost for your entire invitation suite (including save-the-dates, invitations, RSVPs, and thank-you cards) is $122 - $150. This is approximately 0.5% of your overall budget.
Jewelry
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Jewelry
Engagement Ring
$4,414 - $5,394
18.6%
Wedding ring/band for Partner 1
$1,286 - $1,572
5.4%
Wedding ring/band for Partner 2
$812 - $992
3.4%
Jewelry Total Cost
$6,512 - $7,959
27.5%
How much should be budgeted for wedding rings (Wedding ring/band for Partner 1)?
The budget for the couple's wedding bands (Wedding ring/band for Partner 1) is estimated at $1,286 - $1,572, which is about 5.4% of your total wedding cost. This estimate does not include the engagement ring.
How much should be budgeted for wedding rings (Wedding ring/band for Partner 2)?
The budget for the couple's wedding bands (Wedding ring/band for Partner 2) is estimated at $812 - $992, which is about 3.4% of your total wedding cost. This estimate does not include the engagement ring.
Photography & Video
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Photography & Video
Digital or Photo cd/dvd
$273 - $333
1.1%
Engagement Session
$375 - $459
1.6%
Prints/Enlargements
$382 - $466
1.6%
Wedding album/s or photo book/s
$551 - $673
2.3%
Wedding Photographer
$2,430 - $2,970
10.2%
Wedding Videographer
$2,073 - $2,533
8.7%
Photography & Video Total Cost
$6,083 - $7,435
25.6%
What is the average cost for a wedding photographer and video services in Charlotte NC?
On average, couples in Charlotte NC spend between $6,083 - $7,435 on wedding photography and video services. Plan to spend approximately 25.6% of your overall budget.
What is the average cost for a wedding photographer in Charlotte NC?
On average, couples in Charlotte NC with 15 guests spend between $2,430 - $2,970 on wedding photography, which is about 10.2% of your total wedding cost.
How much should I budget for a wedding videographer?
The estimated cost to hire a wedding videographer in Charlotte NC is $2,073 - $2,533. That's about 8.7% of your total budget.
Planner/Coordinator
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Planner/Coordinator
Wedding Coordinator
$1,545 - $1,889
6.5%
Planner/Coordinator Total Cost
$1,545 - $1,889
6.5%
How much does a Wedding Coordinator cost in Charlotte NC?
The cost for a Wedding Coordinator in Charlotte NC is estimated to be $1,545 - $1,889. This service accounts for 6.5% of your total budget.
The average cost of a wedding is based on real spending reported by couples, not vendor price lists. It includes both new and used items, and services provided by professionals, independent providers, or even friends and family. Every wedding is unique, and what couples spend can vary widely depending on their preferences and circumstances.
