Budgeting for a Washington, DC Wedding: What Things Actually Cost in 2025
Planning a wedding in the nation’s capital is exciting, elegant, and filled with endless possibilities—but let’s be real: DC weddings come with big city price tags. From iconic venues to top-tier vendors, understanding what things actually cost in 2025 is the first step to planning with confidence (and avoiding sticker shock). As a Washington, DC wedding planner, I’m here to walk you through realistic numbers of budgeting for a Washington DC wedding.
💒 Venue: $6,000–$20,000+
DC offers everything from historic landmarks to luxury hotel rooftops, and venue pricing reflects that range.
- Expect to pay on the lower end for smaller or weekday events.
- Iconic spots like museums or estates often start closer to $15–20K, especially with exclusive access.
🍽️ Catering: $125–$300 per guest
Your catering budget is one of the biggest line items, and it usually includes staffing, rentals, bar service, and sometimes coordination.
- For plated dinners with cocktail hour and open bar, plan on $200–$250 per guest.
- Upscale or custom menus with multiple courses can run $300+.
🌸 Florals: Starting at $6,000+
For full-service floral design (think: personal flowers, ceremony installations, and reception décor), most couples in DC invest $6,000 to $12,000+.
- Statement floral moments (arches, hanging installs, or lush tablescapes) will be on the higher end.
🍽️ Rentals: $2,500+
While some rentals may be included with your caterer or venue, most DC weddings require a separate rental budget for:
- Tables and chairs
- Linens
- Dinnerware and glassware
- Lighting and specialty pieces
Expect to spend $2,500–$6,000, depending on your guest count and aesthetic.
📸 Photography + Videography: $8,000+
For experienced, in-demand professionals who can capture your wedding with style and artistry:
- Photography alone often starts at $6,000–$8,000
- Photo + video packages typically start at $10,000–$14,000
This is one category where investing in the right team is always worth it.
Attire: $2,000–$7,000
Whether you’re shopping at a local DC bridal boutique or flying in designer gowns, wedding attire includes more than just the dress:
- Dress alterations, accessories, tux rentals, shoes, and rehearsal dinner looks all add up.
Expect $2K on the modest side, and $7K+ for couture styles or multiple outfit changes.
Beauty: $2,000–$5,000
This includes hair and makeup for the bride and often for the bridal party.
- Trials, touch-ups, and on-location services raise the cost.
- Luxury beauty teams offering all-day service or multiple looks are typically on the higher end.
Entertainment: $3,000–$15,000
Whether you want a high-energy DJ or a full live band, entertainment is a major part of your guest experience.
- DJs usually start around $3K
- Live bands range from $8K–$15K, depending on size and experience
Add-ons like string quartets for ceremony music or late-night entertainment will also add to the budget.
Planning: $5,000–$20,000
Full-service wedding planning in DC starts around $8,000, with luxury planners often in the $15K–$20K+ range.
- This includes vendor management, timeline creation, design planning, budgeting, logistics, and day-of execution.
- Partial planning or event management typically starts at $5K–$7K.
How to Build a Smart DC Wedding Budget
A beautiful DC wedding is 100% possible with the right planning and priorities. Here’s what helps:
- Work with a planner early—we help you allocate budget strategically
- Be clear on guest count, which directly impacts almost every line item
- Focus on what matters most to you (is it the food? the venue? the vibe?) and let that guide your investments
Need help budgeting for a Washington DC wedding that fits your vision and the realities of DC pricing? Let’s chat. I’d love to guide you through every step of the process with clarity, confidence, and ease.
