HOW MUCH DO WEDDINGS REALLY COST IN CALIFORNIA? A REALISTIC LOOK AT 2025 BUDGETS
A CANDID GUIDE FOR 2025 COUPLES
If you’re planning a wedding in California, you’ve probably already heard it—weddings here are expensive. But if you’re newly engaged and trying to set realistic expectations, the real questions are: how much do they actually cost? And where is all that money going?
As a wedding planner and bridal stylist who has worked extensively across California, I want to give you a candid, experience-based look at what you can expect—especially if your vision aligns with the kinds of weddings I typically produce: design-led, editorial, deeply personal, and guest-centered.
This guide is here to help you understand what a wedding in California really costs today—and where you can make intentional, informed decisions to create something unforgettable, without unnecessary stress.
💰 AVERAGE COST OF A WEDDING IN CALIFORNIA ACCORDING TO GOOGLE & CHATGPT… BUT ARE THEY REAL?
Let’s start with the numbers you’ll find online:
National average (2025): ~$36,000
California average: $38,000–$42,000
Luxury weddings (LA, Napa, SF): $50,000–$100,000+
But are those numbers realistic?
When I was planning my own wedding, I had no idea what to expect—and I found those estimates to be wildly misleading. It was a rude awakening.
That’s exactly why I’m writing this: to help newly engaged couples set honest, grounded expectations and build a budget that aligns with their actual vision. Because no one should feel blindsided halfway through the planning process.
WHY ARE CALIFORNIA WEDDINGS MORE EXPENSIVE?
California is one of the most expensive places in the world to get married. It’s a destination in and of itself—offering iconic venues, stunning landscapes, and near-guaranteed sunshine—which naturally drives up demand. Venue fees, vendor rates, and service costs are priced accordingly. And when you add in Pinterest-worthy design expectations, content creation needs, and multi-day formats, the total investment can escalate quickly.
Weddings in California consistently rank among the priciest in the U.S., and here’s why:
Higher cost of living: Labor, rentals, permits, and staffing are all more expensive.
Top-tier vendors: From private estates in Napa to creative studios in LA, the best vendors book early—and charge premium rates that reflect their demand.
Multi-day celebrations: Many weddings in California span welcome dinners, ceremony days, brunches, and after-parties.
Design-forward culture: Especially in LA, SF, and Wine Country, couples often prioritize immersive, editorial styling that goes beyond the traditional ceremony-and-reception formula.
That said, budgets can vary widely. Some couples opt for intimate gatherings with a few intentional details. Others want full-scale productions that unfold over an entire weekend.
💡 If you're envisioning a wedding similar to those in my portfolio—highly personal, creatively curated, logistically seamless—you should expect to invest a minimum of $50,000, with budgets typically averaging around $1,500 per guest.
This isn’t about excess. It’s about meaningful design, elevated guest experience, and thoughtful execution—all of which take planning, intention, and the right team behind the scenes.
🧾 WHERE THE MONEY GOES: TYPICAL WEDDING BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Here’s a breakdown of a typical California wedding budget based on a $40,000–$50,000 spend:
CATEGORYTYPICAL SPENDVenue + Rentals$12,000–$18,000Catering + Bar$10,000–$14,000Photographer$4,000–$7,000Florals + Décor$3,500–$7,000Wedding Planner$3,000–$6,000Hair + Makeup$800–$1,500Music (Band or DJ)$2,000–$5,000Attire$1,500–$3,000+Stationery + Details$500–$1,500Miscellaneous + Buffer$1,000–$2,000
📝 If you're planning a design-led, multi-day celebration, you’re likely working at the $1,500 per guest range. That puts most 75–100 guest weddings between $100,000–$150,000 in total spend.
🏙️ REGIONAL DIFFERENCES WITHIN CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles: High style and high demand. Venue fees for private properties or historic spaces range from $20K–$40K, and top vendors book up fast.
San Francisco Bay Area: Elegant venues, proximity to Napa, and luxury clientele push budgets well above $50K.
Wine Country: Vineyard settings, estate rentals, and planning logistics make these weddings more like destination events—often requiring full-service teams and transportation.
Palm Springs + Joshua Tree: A favorite for design-savvy couples. Desert locations are perfect for small, creative celebrations but often require permits and extra logistics.
Santa Barbara & the Coast: Intimate, refined, and naturally beautiful. Expect full buyouts, early curfews, and exclusivity fees.
🎯 WHAT ACTUALLY AFFECTS YOUR WEDDING BUDGET?
Whether you’re working with $25K or $200K, these are the key budget drivers:
Visual Team: Photographers for intimate weddings start around $3,500. Full-service, editorial-caliber teams often start at $8,000+.
Guest Transportation: Especially for remote venues or weekend events. Often begins at $1,000 per vehicle—plus tax, gratuity, and hourly minimums.
Guest Count: Every guest adds cost—meals, rentals, stationery, staffing, favors, etc. I typically recommend budgeting $1,500 per person for design-forward weddings.
Venue Choice: Some venues include basic rentals and staffing. Others are blank canvases that require full build-outs—tables, linens, power, lighting, bathrooms, and more.
Design & Styling: A bridal bouquet may start around $350. Full floral design often begins at $8,000+. Factor in rental delivery fees, minimum orders, and timing surcharges for tight load-ins and strike times.
Scope of Celebration: Welcome dinners, farewell brunches, after-parties—these can add 30–50% to your overall budget.
Planning Team & Creative Direction: Planners typically start at $5,000, but most full-service planners operating at a high level—including myself—begin at $10K+ or use a percentage-based pricing model.
✨ CAN YOU GET MARRIED IN CALIFORNIA FOR UNDER $20K?
Yes—with thoughtful planning, clear priorities, and a willingness to DIY or go intimate. Many couples choose small-scale weddings or elopements that are intentional, stylish, and meaningful without requiring a huge budget.
You can reduce costs by:
Keeping your guest list under 20
Choosing a weekday or off-season date
Hosting at home or at a restaurant
Sending digital invites
Focusing on 1–2 visual priorities (e.g., florals or photography)
Leaning on friends and family for support with setup, decor, and coordination
That said, if you're dreaming of an editorially styled event with a polished guest experience and a trusted creative team, a budget of $50,000+ is a more realistic starting point.
🧠 FINAL THOUGHTS
California weddings are as beautifully varied as the couples who plan them. Whether you're envisioning a fashion-forward city affair or a slow, sensory weekend in Wine Country, the key is understanding your priorities and building the right team to bring your vision to life.
Weddings in my portfolio typically start at a minimum of $50,000, or $1,500 per guest—whichever is greater. Your guest count, design complexity, and event scope will shape your final budget, but my goal is always the same: to create weddings that are artful, intentional, and deeply personal.
📩 Ready to begin your planning journey? Let’s chat.
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Nicole Amarise is a wedding planner and bridal stylist serving California, London, and destination couples worldwide. She creates weddings that are bold, artful, and deeply personal.