LifeCost

More in Big Decisions

What this calculator does

Wedding budgets can spiral. This calculator compares your venue, food, and photo spending to common percentage limits.

The math

Venue/food limit = 50% of budget each. Photo limit = 12% of budget. The tool flags overspending.

Worked example

A $25,000 budget with $12,000 venue, $8,000 food, and $4,000 photo is over budget on venue and photo.

Why this matters

Big purchases create years of follow-up costs. This calculator helps you weigh the true price before you sign.

Methodology and transparency

This page publishes the exact formula used to compute the result, so you can verify it in a spreadsheet or check the assumptions against your own situation. The worked example uses the tool default inputs; change any number and the result updates live in your browser. No data is sent or stored.

Common questions

Are these limits strict?

No, they are rough industry averages. Your priorities may differ.

What about other categories?

This tool focuses on the three biggest budget killers.

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