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Wedding Budget Abroad
Enter the quotes you have and the guest count you expect. The calculator returns the core total, the cost per guest and a total with contingency.
Venue, catering and supplier prices are quotes, not official fees. Get written quotes in the currency you will pay and confirm what each includes, because service, tax and gratuity are often separate.
The lines that move the total
Catering and drinks are multiplied by guests, so a small change in the guest list moves the budget more than most fixed lines. Venue and photography are usually quoted as packages with different inclusions; compare what is inside the package, not only the headline price.
Rings, attire and stationery are easy to underestimate because they are bought in several places. Add them at the amount you expect to spend, not the amount you hope to spend, and keep the contingency for the quotes that arrive late.
Contingency is not padding
A contingency covers scope changes, currency movement and the supplier who adds a service charge after the contract. Ten percent is a common starting point, not a rule; a destination wedding with many moving parts may need more.
Keep the contingency outside the deposits you have already committed. If the total with contingency is uncomfortable, cut a category before cutting the contingency, because the unexpected cost is the one that breaks the plan.
Frequently asked questions
Should we budget per guest or per table?
Per guest is the safer unit for catering and drinks. Tables matter for venue minimums, which should be checked separately.
Do we include rings and attire?
Yes, if they are part of the wedding spend. Excluding them makes the total look smaller without making it cheaper.
What if the guest list changes?
Re-run the calculator with the new count. Catering, drinks and per-guest transport are the lines that move; venue and photography usually do not.