Congratulations! You’ve just gotten engaged to the love of your life! Cue the happy tears, popping champagne—and about a dozen people immediately asking you, “So… when’s the wedding?!” Before you’ve even nailed down a venue, questions start flying: Where is it? What’s nearby? Is there an open bar?
You hop online to browse some venues, and before long you’re wondering: Is this what weddings actually cost in D.C., or am I losing my mind?
So, what does a D.C. wedding actually cost?
For a traditional wedding (ceremony + reception) with 100–150 guests, most couples in the Washington, D.C. metro area can expect to spend between $75,000 and $125,000 on the more conservative end—for a beautiful, well-executed wedding that’s not over the top.
However, many of the weddings you see featured in luxury publications like Washingtonian Weddings or BRIDES often range anywhere from $250,000 to over $1 million, depending on guest count, custom details, and high-end vendor teams.
And yes—guest count matters. The more people you invite, the more everything costs: food, drinks, rentals, staffing, and more. If you’re planning for 250 guests, you will likely need to allocate at a minimum $150,000.
You can find ways to save with creative planning—weekday weddings, off-peak seasons, or scaling back on certain elements—but it’s important to start your planning with a clear understanding of what weddings in this market actually cost.
Here’s a closer look at what makes up that number:
Average Vendor Costs in the D.C. Metro Area
Venue Fee: Varies widely and impacts the entire wedding budget. If budget is a major concern, talk to a planner before booking. We offer a $150 budget consultation to help you allocate your wedding funds wisely.
Catering: $225 and up per person. Most of our clients spend between $275–$325 per guest.
Photographer: $7,000–$10,000 for an experienced professional. Luxury photographers can range from $15,000 and up.
Flowers: Starting at $5,000, though our clients typically spend $10,000–20,000, depending on style and scale.
Officiant: $750–$2,500 depending on the venue or officiant’s experience.
DJ: $2,000–$4,000
Cake: $750–$2,000
Wedding Planner: $9,000–25,000 for full-service planning; $3,000–5,000 for day-of coordination (Note: Day-of planners don’t help with contracts, budgeting, or vendor selection.)
Venue
Your venue (and by extension, your catering) is often the biggest line item. Prices vary wildly depending on location, exclusivity, and inclusions. If you’re trying to stay on budget, it’s smart to consult a full-service planner before signing anything.
Catering
Average: $225–$300 per person D.C. is home to some exceptional caterers—just make sure to vet not only the food, but their service, staffing model, rentals, and how their offering fits with your overall aesthetic.
Cost-saving tip: Consider less labor-intensive cuisines like BBQ or Mediterranean. These allow for beautiful presentation with lower prep costs.
Alcohol
Average: $25–65 per person plus tax and service fees Most couples go through their caterer for alcohol, which is convenient and streamlined. But if your venue allows BYO, you could save thousands.
Additional Vendors
Transportation, videographers, hair and makeup, invitations, photo booths, rentals—the list is long. And this is where couples tend to stumble.
Many focus only on the lowest price without understanding the differences in service quality, deliverables, and vendor reliability. As a planner, I know where we can cut without compromising quality—and when it’s worth investing in professionals who show up, execute flawlessly, and work seamlessly with the rest of your team.
Florals
Low centerpieces: $125–$250 each
High centerpieces: $125–$350 each
Bridal bouquets: $175–$300+
Bridesmaid bouquets: $75–150
Boutonnieres: $15–30
The COVID pandemic impacted global flower supply chains, increasing both prices and minimums. Most D.C. florists now have a $5,000–7,500 minimum for weddings. If your floral inspiration comes from Pinterest, remember: those images often come from styled shoots—not real weddings with 12+ tables and an entire ceremony setup.
Officiant
Average: $750–2,500 Don’t overlook your ceremony! It’s the heart of your wedding day. I always recommend meeting your officiant in person, asking for sample videos, and making sure they align with your values—whether religious, secular, or spiritual. A great officiant will guide you through the process and craft a ceremony that feels deeply personal.
Band vs. DJ
Band: $8,500–15,000
DJ: $2,000–4,000
Bands are more expensive because you’re paying multiple musicians and often additional tech staff. They bring incredible energy and presence to your event. DJs, on the other hand, are more compact and budget-friendly—and just as effective if you find someone who can read a room.
Cake
Average: $750–2,000 Wedding cakes are often priced per slice and based on intricacy of design. A simple cake might run $6–10 per slice, while ornate designs or tiered masterpieces will cost significantly more. Keep in mind: you’re paying for labor, artistry, and logistics like delivery and set-up.
Wedding Planning
Day-of Coordination: $3,000–5,000
Full-Service Planning: Starting at $9,000
Think of your planner as the project manager for your wedding. We orchestrate timelines, handle communication, solve problems, and ensure that all vendors work as one cohesive team. Without a planner, you’re stuck being the point person on your own wedding day—which is not how you want to spend it.
We also help streamline the process, bring you trusted vendor options, and save you time (and stress) on research, emails, and coordination.
Still unsure how to build a realistic budget?
We offer 60-minute wedding budget consultations for $150. After learning about your vision, priorities, and logistics, I’ll build a customized, realistic budget to guide your planning and prevent unexpected surprises down the road. You’ll walk away feeling clear, confident, and in control of your wedding spend.
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