How much do weddings cost?

East Texas Wedding Investment Calculator Tool 🛠️

Don’t know where to start with your wedding budget? We believe you are the driver when it comes to your personal wedding budget breakdown, so setting your own personal priorities is the key.

To help you help you focus on the things that matter most TO YOU, we recommend choosing a venue with a long list of amenities like:

  • decorations included

  • staff onsite

  • affordable bar options

  • open vendor policy

  • no cleaning fees

  • no hidden fees

  • seasonal venue rental rates

  • all inclusive package options to cut down on unexpected expenses

Try the calculator:

Note- Aside from venue rental, these are general estimates

 

Looking for wedding budget tips? Here are few handy ways to prioritize your budget and still have the wedding of your dreams!

  • In 2024, couples spent an average of 15,000-28,000 on their weddings for 125 guests in the East Texas area. For those that stayed on the lower end of this range, here are some of their tips:

  • Opt for a non-Saturday! Sunset Oaks offers $1,000+ off, and many other wedding vendors offer lower rates on non-Saturdays as well.

  • Choose your guest list wisely. It’s true- you can’t invite “everyone.” Imagine taking 150 friends out to dinner at a restaurante- even for a modest meal with 1-2 drinks, you’d spend $40 per person easily, so before you do anythign wedding-related, you can expect to wine and dine 150 people for around $6000 to start, so choose guests who you genuinely want to celebrate with.

  • Ask about “microweddings” or elopements on Mondays-Thursdays.

  • Unpopular opinion- suggest a “kid-free” wedding. Parents really DO need a night out, and you still have to count kids in your catering bill.

  • Decide if alcohol is a priority. Alcohol immediately adds at least $1,000 in cost for 100 guests in cost for basic beer/wine when you account for Bartender(s), supplies, Security Guard(s), and alcohol.

  • Use a florist! Yes, it sounds counter intuitive, but florists work seamlessly with our decor closet to bring your design to life without spending on decorations. They are magicians and can add an immeasurable level of aesthetic without much effort on your part, so you can spend your time optimizing your other costs. You will spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, and countless hourse on tiny details that florists can handle in the blink of an eye.

  • Skip the favors. We often see couples stress over extras like favors, s’mores bar, etc. then skip the “bones” of the operation like DJ, Caterer, Photographer, and Florist, and let me tell you- they are MORE stressed. Stick to the basics then add the extras when everything else is paid for. Your guests won’t mind.

  • Don’t try to OVER DIY. Etsy, Hobby Lobby, and Amazon boxes will pile up, and so will the credit card bill. Focus on the basics: DJ, Caterer, Photographer, Cake, Coordinator, and Florist.

  • Choose local vendors to minimize delivery/travel fees. It helps if you venue is close to a major town (like Tyler!)

  • Find a venue that offers loads of inclusions like tables, chairs, ice, DECOR TO BORROW, outdoor games, and more!

  • Cake alternatives- Here’s a secret: A LOT of cake is often wasted, and the bigger/more elaborate the cake, the more expensive (obviously). Perhaps go with a smaller cake to cut and some cupcakes. The Sunset Oaks decor closet is full of items to make your cake/cupcake table look amazing!

Photos by MLP Photo & Film