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How to split a $10,000 Utah wedding
A simple starting plan, what changes when you skip the venue fee and say "I do" in the backyard, and three ways to make every dollar go further.
The starting plan
Where $10,000 can go
This is the balanced split Perfect Day's budget planner starts from. It's a place to begin, not a rule: move it around to match what matters most to you.
Backyard wedding? With no venue fee, that $3,000 spreads across everything else, so you can feed more guests or book the photographer you love. The last column shows the backyard version.
| Category | Share | $10,000 plan | Backyard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | 30% | $3,000 | $0 |
| Catering & drinks | 25% | $2,500 | $3,572 +$1,072 |
| Photography | 12% | $1,200 | $1,714 +$514 |
| Flowers & decor | 12% | $1,200 | $1,714 +$514 |
| Attire & beauty | 8% | $800 | $1,143 +$343 |
| Music & entertainment | 5% | $500 | $714 +$214 |
| Other costs & reserve | 8% | $800 | $1,143 +$343 |
| Total | 100% | $10,000 | $10,000 |
Make it go further
3 ways to stretch every dollar
- Trim the guest list. Food, drinks, chairs and invitations all grow with every guest. Ten fewer guests can free up hundreds.
- Pick a Friday or Sunday. Many Utah venues and vendors charge less than on Saturdays. Ask when you request quotes.
- Keep 5 to 10% in reserve. Fees, tips and last-minute extras always show up. A cushion keeps the final weeks calm.
Planning a bigger day?
The same balanced split for a $30,000 wedding:
- Venue$9,000
- Catering & drinks$7,500
- Photography$3,600
- Flowers & decor$3,600
- Attire & beauty$2,400
- Music & entertainment$1,500
- Other costs & reserve$2,400
Set any total from $2,500 to $100,000 in the planner, remove what you don't need, and the rest adjusts.
Open the budget plannerNext step
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