The Average Chicago Wedding Cost: The Ultimate Wedding Budget Breakdown for 2027
As a Chicago wedding photographer, I’m pretty much constantly around people planning their weddings. And the part that makes everyone want to scream and throw things?? The wedding budget breakdown. Every time. If you’re at that point in the wedding planning process, let me help you. Because I promise the answer to the average Chicago wedding cost isn’t canceling the whole wedding.
Here’s how to break down your wedding budget in a way that works for you, so that you still get the wedding of your absolute dreamsss.
An Average Chicago Wedding Cost: What Couples Are Actually Spending
Okay, let me just start here: every wedding is different.
A big wedding is gonna have a very different price tag than a city hall elopement. A backyard wedding’s cost is not gonna be the same as a wedding at a mansion venue. The key is to narrow down what you want your wedding to look like first, then set a budget based on the average Chicago wedding cost for that specific type of wedding!!
From what I see, the average Chicago wedding cost for a traditional wedding at a venue is somewhere between $35,000 and $60,000. Of course, you can go smaller or larger than that, but that’s a pretty good frame of reference to start with.
For elopements or intimate weddings, you’re looking at anywhere between $1,000 and $20,000. For large, luxe weddings, make $60,000 your starting point. And if you’re wondering where these numbers are coming from, I’ve got you covered, babes. Here’s the full wedding budget breakdown for Chicago weddings!!
The Wedding Budget Breakdown for the Average Chicago Wedding Cost
40%: The Venue, Catering, + Bar Services
About 40% of your budget should go towards your Chicago wedding venue and your food/drinks. This isn’t a magic number and can totally go higher or lower, depending on your guest count and choices, but it’s a good average number to start with!
My top tip as a Chicago wedding photographer? Find a venue that lets you book an all-inclusive package so that all of this is handled in the same place. It cuts down the cost slightly and just saves you time and energy in wedding planning in general. Which we ALWAYS love.
A few all-inclusive wedding venues in Chicago I love are Beatnik and The Ivy Room, but you can also check out my guide to my top 10 favorite Chicago wedding venues for more ideas!!
20%: Wedding Content: Photographer, Videographer, + Content Creators
20% or so of your budget should go towards your memories. Hiring a Chicago wedding photographer, videographer, and even a content creator is pretty much priceless, because you get to look back on those memories forever.
We’ll get more into it later, but just know that this isn’t the place to splurge. These are photos you’ll look at for decades, have up in your house, and even have your future kids look at. I say this lovingly: it’s worth every penny.
If you need ideas on how to choose the perfect Chicago wedding photographer, see my guide here!
20%: Florals, Decor, + Miscellaneous Items
If you’ve been on Pinterest any time in the last, like, 2 days, I’m sure your whole wedding vibe is on your mind. And I love that.
Keep in mind: those Pins with your dream wedding setup? They’ll cost about 20% of your budget, between florals, rentals, and small pieces of decor. This is where your stationery, menus, and programs are all hiding, too.
I also like to stick little miscellaneous items in this category, like your marriage license and things like favors. Don’t forget about them!! If you need a reminder, check out my 2027 Chicago wedding planning guide.
10%: Entertainment
For music and any unique guest experiences like a photo booth or watercolor artist, allocate about 10% of your budget. DJs can run at a few thousand dollars, as can live musicians, so be prepared for those costs when you’re wedding planning!!
10%: Attire
Listen, I’m a bridal fashion lover who strongly believes that your dress is one of the most important pieces of clothing you’ll ever wear. The self-expression you can add to your bridal look is crazy, and pretty much has my whole heart.
Keep about 10% of your wedding budget for attire, including a dress, a suit, other bride era outfits, shoes, veils, accessories, hair/makeup, and alterations. That’s the sweet spot, TBH.
What Different Wedding Budgets Can Look Like
If your priorities are different for your wedding, run with it, babes. If you’d rather book a space that’s not typically used as a wedding venue and go crazy with the decor, I’m here for it. Are you a fashion girlie who cares more about what her dress looks like than having the most luxe flowers?? Shuffle around your budget to fit that.
You can have a $50,000 wedding with simple decor that’s the most FUN night of all of your guests’ lives, or you can have a $15,000 wedding that has decor that looks like it came out of a magazine. Your budget doesn’t define the feeling, like, at all. And that’s what rocks about wedding planning: it gets to be yours!!
The best tip I can give you is to sit with your lover, talk about what things you really care about, and create your budget around that. Things can always be shifted to create your PERFECT day.
Where to Splurge and Where to Save to Make Your Wedding Budget Breakdown Work For You
That being said, let’s talk about saves vs splurges to make that average Chicago wedding cost work for your wedding.
Where to Save on Your Wedding
- One of the biggest things people don’t think about in wedding planning is the cost difference for a Chicago wedding in peak season vs off-peak. Winter weddings can save you a TON of money since they’re booked less, and they’re honestly so beautiful in Chicago.
- As a Chicago wedding photographer, I see dessert and wedding favors left over basically all the time. If you’re trying to cut costs (or move some around), these are two places that I’d say you can spend a little less. Instead of cake for everyone, do a tiramisu tower or a table with small dessert bites. Instead of favors, include your guests in ways like asking for their favorite songs on their RSVPs or renting a photo booth.
- Plan an intimate wedding if it feels like you. A smaller guest list can feel way more personal and save thousands (which we love), but only if it feels good in your heart and soul.
- Rent your bridal era outfits instead of buying all new ones. We loveee Nuuly and Rent the Runway!!
Where to Splurge on Your Wedding
- I said it above, but splurge on your photographer. Good pictures will last you a lifetime, and the feeling you get every time you look at your wedding photos will truly be priceless. Your memories belong in the hands of a professional, babes.
- I might be biased, but I vote to always splurge on food. I’m a foodie at heart, so when a wedding has good food??? It sticks in my mind.
- If you’re planning an all-outdoor wedding, book the tent. I say this with love: don’t take a chance on the weather. It’s always best to reserve a tent and then just… Not use it if it doesn’t rain. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
- Only take this if it applies to you, but an open bar is always worth the money in my opinion!! When your guests are having fun… It shows.
FAQs About Wedding Budgets
Okay, this is probably your first time planning a wedding. You probably have a lottt more questions when it comes to your budget. I get it.
Here are a few that my couples always ask me!!
What Are Common Hidden Costs in Chicago Wedding Planning?
Things like taxes and tips are pretty much always overlooked in any wedding budget breakdown blog. Note that any vendor you book should account for tax and any tips you give out, so be sure to factor that into each vendor’s budget.
Also, a super underrated wedding cost that isn’t talked about is alterations. When you’re finalizing your wedding attire budget, be sure to allocate about $1,000 for alterations!!
Where to Find Affordable Wedding Dress Options Within a Budget?
Chicago has some incredible bridal shops, but when my brides are trying to save money, I always suggest that they shop at:
What Are Strategies to Reduce Catering Costs for a Large Wedding Guest List?
A 2027 wedding trend I’m seeing that I’ve been obsessed with is food stations. Whether it’s small bites or food carts, it can cut costs on catering while also being a super fun, super memorable guest experience. A true win-win, if I do say so myself!!
How Much Should I Expect to Spend on Wedding Photography and Videography?
While I can’t speak on wedding videographers, as a Chicago wedding photographer, my wedding packages start at $8,750.
That includes:
- 10 hours of Coverage
- 2 Photographers
- Timeline assistance
- Wedding guide with planning tips & tricks
- Sneak Peaks within one week of your wedding
- Online gallery that you can share with your family & friends
- Professionally edited, high-resolution digital photographs
- Print release
- Your whole day, fully documented and unapologetically yours
Wren and Rose | Chicago Wedding Photographer
As your Chicago wedding photographer, I’m here to assist you through every part of wedding planning, even when it’s the part that makes you want to cry a little bit (trying to figure out how to make the average Chicago wedding cost work for you).
Ready to get started? Inquire about booking me here!!
Portrait and Wedding Photographer Based in Chicago, IL for the rad souls and the wildly in love.
