Here's How The Average Wedding Budget Goes...

How Much Should You Really Spend on Wedding Entertainment?

Before I share what almost every bride says after their wedding, let me give you a bit of context.

A while back, I looked into the average cost of a wedding in the U.S.
At the time, the number hovered around $26,000.

But here’s what stood out to me most:

In our region — Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Colorado — most couples spend less than $20,000, and that doesn’t even include the honeymoon.

So where does the money actually go?

Where Wedding Budgets Typically Go

According to St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine, the average wedding budget is typically allocated like this:

• Venue — 45% of the budget

• Photography / Videography — 12%

• Wedding Attire & Beauty — 9%

• Music — 6%

• Rings — 6%

• Flowers — 5%

• Favors & Gifts — 5%

• Transportation — 3%

• Stationery — 3%

• Cake — 2%

• Decor — 2%

• Miscellaneous — 2%
  
  

At first glance, this breakdown makes sense.

The venue sets the stage.
Photography preserves the memories.
Attire and details create the look.

But here’s what’s interesting…

The Disconnect Most Couples Don’t Realize Until Later

Notice how music and entertainment account for only about 6% of the overall budget.

Yet entertainment is responsible for:

• The flow of the evening

• The energy in the room

• Whether transitions feel smooth or awkward

• Whether guests feel engaged or bored

• How relaxed you actually feel throughout the night
  
  

That’s a lot of responsibility for a relatively small slice of the budget.

And that’s exactly why this next part matters.

What Brides Say After the Wedding

St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine asked recently married brides what they would have done differently when budgeting and hiring vendors.

Here’s what they said:

• 78% wished they had given higher priority to entertainment

• 72% wished they had spent more time researching entertainment options
  
  

Looking back, nearly all brides said they would have happily set aside more money from their budget to improve the quality of their entertainment.

Not because the music wasn’t loud enough.

But because the experience of the night matters more than most couples expect.

Why Entertainment Has an Outsized Impact

Most planning books recommend setting aside 5–10% of your budget for music.

That advice isn’t wrong — but it often misses something important.

Music alone doesn’t:

• Keep a wedding moving smoothly

• Read the room and adjust energy

• Handle transitions and timing

• Prevent awkward gaps

• Keep guests comfortable and engaged
  
  

That’s the role of entertainment — not just a playlist.

As Mark Ferrell, a writer in the DJ industry, once said:

“The amount a person spends on entertainment is directly proportional to the quality of entertainment they will receive — which is directly proportional to the overall success of their reception.”

After 15+ years of DJing weddings, I can confidently say:
That observation holds up.

My Professional Take on Budget Balance

I see couples invest a lot of money — and stress — into details that often fade into the background on the actual day:

• Chair covers

• Extra floral accents

• Wall décor

• Last-minute visual add-ons
  
  

And don’t get me wrong — cohesion matters.

But here’s what guests actually remember:

How the night felt.

They remember:

• Whether the energy was fun or flat

• Whether the evening flowed naturally

• Whether the dance floor felt inviting

• Whether moments felt relaxed or rushed
  
  

Lighting, music flow, and thoughtful pacing alone can completely transform a venue — often reducing the need for extra décor altogether.

Many couples realize afterward that the “small details” they stressed over weren’t nearly as important as they thought.

The Bottom Line

A wedding doesn’t have to be expensive.

It just has to be well-paced, intentional, and fun.

When guests are enjoying themselves:

• Photos turn out better

• Food and drinks feel more enjoyable

• The entire night feels effortless
  
  

That’s the power of good entertainment.

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