Wedding Vendor Costs: What to Budget for Each Supplier

One of the most frustrating parts of early wedding planning is trying to build a budget before you have any quotes. Vendors rarely post prices publicly, and the first number they say in a consultation is rarely the number you end up paying.

This guide gives you real price ranges — not the wildly inflated "averages" you see in national surveys, but working ranges you can use to sense-check quotes and set realistic category budgets before your first call.

Wedding Makeup Artist

Wedding makeup costs more than a regular appointment for two reasons: the artist is booked for a block of time (typically 3–6 hours for a bridal party), and you are paying for expertise in working with photography lighting and sweat-proof longevity.

In the US, a professional bridal makeup artist charges $100–$300 for the bride's makeup, with bridal party members typically at $75–$150 each. If the artist travels to your venue, expect a travel fee of $25–$75 on top.

A hair and makeup trial is often billed separately from the wedding day, running $75–$200. Many couples skip the trial to save money. That is usually a mistake — your trial is when you catch problems before the wedding day.

UK makeup artists typically charge £100–£250 for the bride, with bridal party members at £60–£150. Travel fees are common, particularly outside major cities. Tips are not expected in the UK but appreciated for exceptional work.

In Australia, bridal makeup rates run $150–$350 AUD for the bride, with most artists working as a sole trader and pricing in their travel time. The same applies in New Zealand, where rates are broadly similar: $150–$300 NZD for bridal makeup. Tipping is not customary in either country.

What to watch for: Some makeup artists quote "bride only" and charge extra for a veil removal/evening touch-up look. Ask whether the quote covers the full day or just a single application.

Wedding Videographer

Videography is the category couples most regret skipping. You can look at photos, but you cannot hear the vows again or re-watch your parents' faces during the first dance unless someone filmed it.

In the US, wedding videography typically runs $2,000–$5,000 for a professional one-to-two person crew covering the ceremony and reception with a highlight reel. Entry-level shooters charging $800–$1,500 exist, but quality at that price point is inconsistent. Cinematic packages with drone footage, extended raw footage, or same-day edits run $5,000–$10,000+.

UK videography rates typically run £1,200–£3,500 for a full-day coverage package. London and the South East push to the higher end. Questions to ask: Is this one operator or two? What is the turnaround time on the edited film? Is a highlights reel separate from full-length footage?

In Australia, expect to pay $2,500–$5,000 AUD for a professional team; in New Zealand, $2,000–$4,500 NZD is a realistic range for a skilled videographer.

Canadian couples should expect to pay $2,000–$4,500 CAD in most markets, with Toronto pushing higher.

What to watch for: Ask specifically whether the quote includes the raw footage or only the edited film. Many packages include only a 3–5 minute highlight reel and a 30-minute edit — if you want full ceremony footage, confirm that is in scope.

Wedding Band vs. DJ

This is one of the biggest cost decisions in your entertainment budget, and the price gap is significant.

Live wedding band: In the US, a live band for a wedding reception typically costs $4,000–$10,000+ depending on the number of musicians, setlist flexibility, and band reputation. A smaller four-piece band in a mid-cost market might start at $3,500; an eight-piece band in a major metro can reach $15,000.

In the UK, a live band typically runs £2,000–£6,000. The range here is wide because it depends heavily on whether you book a band directly or through an agency (agency adds a booking fee of 15–20%), how many musicians are in the lineup, and whether they cover your required setlist.

In Australia, live bands typically run $3,000–$7,000 AUD for a four- to six-piece band. New Zealand pricing is similar: $3,500–$7,000 NZD.

DJ: A professional wedding DJ costs significantly less — $1,000–$2,500 in the US, £600–£1,800 in the UK, $1,500–$3,000 AUD in Australia. The trade-off is energy and flexibility: a DJ can read the room and pivot quickly; a live band is locked to their setlist and may require breaks (during which they play recorded music anyway).

What to watch for: For bands, confirm exactly how many breaks they take and what plays during those breaks. Some couples are surprised to find 20-minute set breaks where the dance floor empties. For DJs, ask whether they bring their own PA system and lighting or whether that is extra.

Wedding Transportation

Transportation is a category that often gets added late in planning, when couples realize they have not figured out how to get between venues or how guests are getting back to the hotel.

Shuttle service for guests: Chartering a coach or shuttle bus to ferry guests between the ceremony, reception, and a nearby hotel typically costs $500–$1,500 for a single round-trip with a 50-passenger bus in the US. Multiple trips or multiple hours add to the cost proportionally. This is one of the categories where getting three quotes pays off quickly.

Bridal car: A dedicated car for the couple (vintage car, stretch limo, luxury SUV) runs $300–$800 in the US for a two- to three-hour hire window. UK bridal car hire typically runs £250–£600 for ceremony transport; traditional vintage cars often cost more than modern luxury vehicles because of maintenance.

In Australia, limousine hire for the couple typically runs $400–$900 AUD for a half-day. In New Zealand, $350–$750 NZD is common.

Canada note: Urban markets like Toronto and Vancouver command premium rates for wedding transport; budget $600–$1,200 CAD for a bridal car in those cities.

What to watch for: Confirm whether the quoted time includes a buffer for photos and unexpected delays. Overtime fees on transport ($75–$150 per additional hour) can add up quickly if the ceremony runs long.

Tuxedo Rental

Groom and groomsmen attire is one of the more straightforward categories to estimate, though it varies depending on whether you are renting or buying.

In the US, tuxedo rental for a groom typically runs $150–$300, with groomsmen renting at similar rates. A full package from a national chain (Mens Wearhouse, Generation Tux) including jacket, trousers, shirt, vest, tie, and shoes runs $200–$350 per person. Suits from a mid-range retailer (often better value than rental for a classic style) can be purchased for $300–$600 and worn again.

UK suit hire for grooms runs £75–£200 for a standard lounge suit or morning coat; morning wear packages popular for church and country house weddings often include cravat, waistcoat, and top hat at the higher end.

Australia does not have the same rental culture as the US; most grooms here either purchase a suit ($400–$900 AUD) or hire from a formal wear specialist ($150–$350 AUD).

What to watch for: Groomsmen rental adds up fast. Six groomsmen at $250 each equals $1,500. If this is not in your initial budget draft, it needs to be.

Bridesmaid Costs

Bridesmaids typically bear their own costs for dresses, hair, makeup, and alterations, but this is a source of genuine financial stress in the bridal party and worth understanding as a planning factor.

In the US, the average cost to be a bridesmaid runs $1,000–$1,800 all-in (dress, alterations, hair and makeup, accessories, bachelorette, and travel). The dress alone averages $150–$350 from popular retailers; alterations add $50–$150.

Many couples choose to cover hair and makeup for the bridal party as a courtesy, which costs $75–$150 per bridesmaid and is a meaningful gesture toward their out-of-pocket expense.

UK bridesmaid dresses typically run £80–£200; hair and makeup £60–£120 per bridesmaid.

In Australia and New Zealand, bridesmaid dresses run $100–$300 AUD/NZD with a similar range for hair and makeup.

What to watch for: If you are selecting bridesmaid dresses from a specific designer or requiring custom measurements, alterations costs can exceed the dress cost. Choose styles that minimize the need for complex alterations.

Building a Complete Picture

These per-category ranges are useful for sense-checking quotes, but the real budget risk is in the gaps between categories. You budget the photographer, the DJ, the catering — and then two months out you discover you have not accounted for vendor meals (the venue charges $35 per vendor for their meal), the cake cutting fee ($2–$5 per slice to cut a cake you brought from an outside bakery), or the overtime rate when dancing runs an extra hour.

The Wedding Budget Planner tracks all 53 line items including the commonly overlooked ones, includes a vendor payment schedule so you know exactly when each deposit and final balance is due, and covers the tipping norms for each vendor category across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — because "should I tip my photographer?" has a different answer depending on where you are getting married.