The average US wedding now costs over $30,000. Ours cost $9,400, in a backyard, for 60 people, and I would do it again tomorrow. Nobody remembers the chair sashes. Everybody remembers whether they had fun and got fed.
Here's the full budget, category by category, with the honest notes on what was worth it.
| Category | What we did | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | Parents' backyard, free | $0 |
| Food | Local BBQ caterer, buffet for 60 | $2,700 |
| Drinks | Beer, wine, batch cocktails, self-serve | $900 |
| Tent + tables + chairs | Rented; rain plan non-negotiable | $1,800 |
| Photographer | 5 hours, talented amateur going pro | $1,200 |
| Attire | Off-the-rack suit, sample-sale dress, alterations | $850 |
| Flowers | Grocery store + farmer's market, DIY morning-of | $300 |
| Music | Friend DJ'd; rented speakers | $400 |
| Invites + misc | Digital invites, printed programs at library | $250 |
| Buffer | The 10% you will absolutely need | $1,000 |
| Total | $9,400 |
Per guest, that's about $157 — less than half the national average per-guest cost.
The tent. It was the single biggest line item and the only one I'd call mandatory. A backyard wedding without a rain plan is a gamble with 60 people's weekend. Ours was sunny; I'd still rent it.
The BBQ buffet. Plated dinners run $75 to $150 a head. Our BBQ was $45 a head and guests are still talking about the brisket. Nobody has ever left a wedding saying "I wish the food had been more formal."
The amateur photographer. We found someone building a wedding portfolio who charged $1,200 for what studios quoted at $3,500. Vetted her full galleries first — not just the Instagram highlights. The photos are stunning.
Favors. We spent $180 on little succulents. Half were left on tables. That's $180 that could've been better bourbon.
The videographer debate. We agonized for weeks, then asked a talented cousin to film the ceremony on a decent camera. Total cost: $0 and a thank-you gift. We watch the 12-minute ceremony cut every anniversary.
Our numbers won't be yours — prices vary wildly by region — but the 10-category structure works anywhere. The backyard wedding budget calculator lets you allocate your own total across the same categories and see your per-guest cost update live. Start with the guest list. Everything else follows.