Wedding Cost Estimate for 2021

Planning a wedding? You're in the right place. This is your personalized wedding budget estimate based on a guest count of more than 300 people and an average wedding cost of $88,796 - $108,528. 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. Get wedding statistics for Chicago Naperville Elgin IL IN WI

Wedding Cost Summary

Wedding Budget: $88,796 - $108,528
Lives in: Chicago IL
Season: Fall Wedding in 2021
How many guests: This estimate is based on having 400 guests with a range of more than 300 guests. Adding a single guest will likely add $222 - $271 to the total amount spent.
The ceremony will be at one location while the reception will be at another
Ceremony Location: a church or other place of worship
Reception Location: a historical building
Type of wedding: Elegant, Experience
Wedding color theme: Greens
Highest priorities:
  • Attire & Accessories (Wedding Dress, Suit, etc.)
  • Beauty, Health & Spa (Hair, Makeup, etc.)
  • Flowers & Decorations
  • Gifts & Favors
  • Jewelry (Rings and Other Jewelry)
  • Photography & Video
  • Planner/Coordinator

Wedding Cost Category Summary

Category Estimated Cost Percent of Estimate
Attire & Accessories $2,274 - $2,780 2.6%
Beauty & Spa $236 - $288 0.3%
Entertainment $3,337 - $4,079 3.8%
Flowers & Decorations $5,558 - $6,793 6.3%
Gifts & Favors $2,735 - $3,343 3.1%
Invitations $2,869 - $3,507 3.2%
Jewelry $7,203 - $8,803 8.1%
Photography & Video $5,405 - $6,607 6.1%
Planner/Consultant $4,052 - $4,952 4.6%
Venue, Catering & Rentals $55,127 - $67,377 62.1%

Wedding Cost Breakdown

What is the average cost of a wedding for 400 guests in United States?
For a wedding with 400 guests in the United States, the estimated total cost is around $88,796 - $108,528. This budget is a comprehensive estimate based on local averages for 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 $247. With a guest count of 400, this is a key factor in the total estimated budget of $88,796 - $108,528.
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 higher than the national average. The estimated budget of $88,796 - $108,528 reflects the specific spending by other couples in the local area.

Attire & Accessories

How much should I budget for a wedding dress accessories in Chicago IL?
In Chicago IL, the average budget for wedding attire, including veil and accessories is estimated at $253 - $309. This represents about 0.3% 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 $282 - $344.
How much should I budget for a wedding dress in Chicago IL?
In Chicago IL, the average budget for wedding attire, including the dress and alterations is estimated at $1,621 - $1,981. This represents about 1.8% of your total wedding expenses.
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Attire & Accessories
Attire & Accessories Cost $2,274 - $2,780 2.6%
Dress Accessories $253 - $309 0.3%
Tuxedo/suit/other Accessories $119 - $145 0.1%
Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/purchase $282 - $344 0.3%
Wedding Dress $1,621 - $1,981 1.8%

Beauty & Spa

How much does professional wedding hair and makeup cost in Chicago IL?
For the bride, the estimated cost for professional hair and makeup services in Chicago IL is $236 - $288. This budget can also include trial runs and services for the bridal party. It makes up 0.3% of the total budget.
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Beauty & Spa
Beauty & Spa Cost $236 - $288 0.3%
Hair Service $94 - $114 0.1%
Makeup Service $77 - $95 0.1%
Manicure & Pedicure $65 - $79 0.1%

Entertainment

How much should your wedding entertainment budget be in Chicago IL?
Your total entertainment budget is estimated at $3,337 - $4,079, which is 3.8% of your total.
What's the average price for a wedding DJ in Chicago IL?
The average cost to hire a professional wedding DJ for your reception in the Chicago IL area is $882 - $1,078.
How much does it cost to hire a live band for a wedding reception?
For a live band, couples in Chicago IL typically budget around $2,058 - $2,516 which is 2.3% of your total.
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Entertainment
Entertainment Cost $3,337 - $4,079 3.8%
DJ/MC $882 - $1,078 1.0%
Entertainment lighting $397 - $485 0.4%
Live Band $2,058 - $2,516 2.3%

Flowers & Decorations

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 $5,558 - $6,793. This accounts for roughly 6.3% of your total expenses.
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Flowers & Decorations
Flowers & Decorations Cost $5,558 - $6,793 6.3%
Bouquets $438 - $536 0.5%
Boutonnieres, Corsages $198 - $242 0.2%
Wedding Venue Decorations $622 - $760 0.7%
Wedding Venue Flowers & Arrangements $2,784 - $3,402 3.1%
Wedding Venue Table Centerpieces $1,516 - $1,852 1.7%

Gifts & Favors

How much should we spend on wedding favors for 400 guests?
For wedding favors for 400 guests and thank-you gifts for the wedding party and parents, a typical budget in your area is $2,735 - $3,343.
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Gifts & Favors
Gifts & Favors Cost $2,735 - $3,343 3.1%
Gift/s for Attendants $145 - $177 0.2%
Tips (for all services) $1,945 - $2,377 2.2%
Wedding Favors $645 - $789 0.7%

Invitations

How much do wedding invitations and stationery cost for 400 guests?
The estimated cost for your entire invitation suite (including save-the-dates, invitations, RSVPs, and thank-you cards) is $2,869 - $3,507. This is approximately 3.2% of your overall budget.
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Invitations
Invitations Cost $2,869 - $3,507 3.2%
Ceremony Programs $347 - $425 0.4%
Engagement Announcements $306 - $374 0.3%
Guest Book $167 - $205 0.2%
Invitations & Reply Cards $599 - $732 0.7%
Postage $336 - $410 0.4%
Reception Menus $339 - $415 0.4%
Save the Date Cards $306 - $374 0.3%
Table Name and Escort/place Cards $226 - $276 0.3%
Thank You Cards $243 - $297 0.3%

Jewelry

How much should be budgeted for wedding rings (Wedding ring/band for HER)?
The budget for the couple's wedding bands (Wedding ring/band for HER) is estimated at $1,136 - $1,388, which is about 1.3% 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 HIM)?
The budget for the couple's wedding bands (Wedding ring/band for HIM) is estimated at $671 - $821, which is about 0.8% of your total wedding cost. This estimate does not include the engagement ring.
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Jewelry
Jewelry Cost $7,203 - $8,803 8.1%
Bracelet $217 - $265 0.2%
Earrings $187 - $229 0.2%
Engagement Ring $4,991 - $6,101 5.6%
Wedding ring/band for HER $1,136 - $1,388 1.3%
Wedding ring/band for HIM $671 - $821 0.8%

Photography & Video

What is the average cost for a wedding photographer and video services in Chicago IL?
On average, couples in Chicago IL spend between $5,405 - $6,607 on wedding photography and video services. Plan to spend approximately 6.1% of your overall budget.
What is the average cost for a wedding photographer in Chicago IL?
On average, couples in Chicago IL with 400 guests spend between $2,289 - $2,797 on wedding photography, which is about 2.6% of your total wedding cost.
How much should I budget for a wedding videographer?
The estimated cost to hire a wedding videographer in Chicago IL is $1,546 - $1,890. This makes up a portion of your (1.7%) allocation for capturing memories.
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Photography & Video
Photography & Video Cost $5,405 - $6,607 6.1%
Engagement Session $339 - $415 0.4%
Photo Booth $339 - $415 0.4%
Prints and/or Enlargements $327 - $399 0.4%
Wedding album/s or photo book/s $565 - $691 0.6%
Wedding Photographer $2,289 - $2,797 2.6%
Wedding Videographer $1,546 - $1,890 1.7%

Planner/Consultant

How much does a Full Service cost in Chicago IL?
The cost for a Full Service in Chicago IL is estimated to be $4,052 - $4,952. This service accounts for 4.6% of your total budget.
What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Planner/Consultant
Planner/Consultant Cost $4,052 - $4,952 4.6%
Full Service $4,052 - $4,952 4.6%

Venue, Catering & Rentals

What is the detailed cost breakdown for Wedding Venue, Catering & Rentals
Venue, Catering & Rentals Cost $55,127 - $67,377 62.1%

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.


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