Reference
Where a Typical Wedding Budget Goes
A breakdown of how a mid-range Pakistani wedding budget typically splits across categories, with two worked examples at different budget sizes, and how per-head catering cost scales with guest count and menu tier.
The typical split
This mirrors the split shown on the homepage: venue and catering together are consistently the largest share, with outfits and jewelry a close second.
This is illustrative, based on typical mid-range spending across functions, not a rule. A family leaning heavily on borrowed or rented jewelry, for instance, will see outfits and jewelry shrink and the other categories grow in proportion.
Two worked examples
The same percentages applied to two different total budgets, to make the split concrete.
| Category | Share | Rs 1,500,000 total | Rs 4,000,000 total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue & catering | 32% | Rs 480,000 | Rs 1,280,000 |
| Outfits & jewelry | 22% | Rs 330,000 | Rs 880,000 |
| Photo & video | 18% | Rs 270,000 | Rs 720,000 |
| Decor & stage | 16% | Rs 240,000 | Rs 640,000 |
| Everything else | 12% | Rs 180,000 | Rs 480,000 |
"Everything else" covers invitations, transport, mehndi-specific decor and props, gifts, and the smaller recurring costs that don't fit neatly into the four major categories.
How catering scales with guest count
Catering is usually the single largest line item inside the venue & catering share. See the catering guide for how the three tiers below are defined.
| Guests | Basic tier (Rs 2,500–4,000/head) | Mid-range tier (Rs 4,000–7,000/head) | Premium tier (Rs 7,000–12,000+/head) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | Rs 500,000–800,000 | Rs 800,000–1,400,000 | Rs 1,400,000–2,400,000+ |
| 350 | Rs 875,000–1,400,000 | Rs 1,400,000–2,450,000 | Rs 2,450,000–4,200,000+ |
| 500 | Rs 1,250,000–2,000,000 | Rs 2,000,000–3,500,000 | Rs 3,500,000–6,000,000+ |
Figures above are per function. Most weddings cater at least two functions in full (commonly the baraat and walima), so double the relevant cell for a rough two-function total, and add a third if the mehndi includes a full sit-down meal.