Published Jul 11, 2025

Wedding Season is a great season!  Planning your dream wedding? Do you know the average price of a wedding? How much are you willing to spend on your wedding? Before you pick the perfect dress or book your dream venue, it’s essential to understand where your money is going, what portion of your budget is going where, and what is a typical wedding budget. Weddings are a beautiful celebration, but they also come with a wide range of costs—some obvious, others easy to overlook (like restroom rentals!).

In this post, we’ll break down the average wedding budget for a California wedding by category so you can spend smart and still create a stunning event your guests will never forget. Whether you are planning a 100-person wedding in your backyard (you may need wedding insurance) or a destination wedding, there are many budget trackers, The Knot budget advisor, and sample wedding budgets online to assist in your wedding planning. Remember to leave a little in your budget for unforeseen costs!

🧾 Average Wedding Cost in 2025 in California

According to recent data, the average cost of a wedding in California is between $35,000–$45,000, with some high-end wedding celebrations in wine country venues or coastal venues reaching well over $100,000. Budgeting carefully helps you prioritize what matters most to you, helps you stay within budget, and avoids unwelcome surprises. It is important to determine what type of wedding you are looking to host and outline your unique wedding expenses in building a wedding budget, as it is easy to blow your budget with unexpected wedding costs!

📊 Wedding Budget Breakdown by Category

Here’s a general breakdown of what couples spend and how they allocate their wedding budget.

🚽 Don’t Forget: Budgeting for Restroom Rentals

One of the most overlooked (yet essential!) elements of any outdoor wedding is the restroom situation. Whether you’re hosting in a vineyard, backyard, park, or even a luxury estate venue with limited facilities, a restroom trailer rental ensures your guests are comfortable and your event runs smoothly. Also, take your guest count into account when considering additional facilities. If you have 100 guests at your parents’ home and they are on a septic system, you may have plenty of restrooms onsite, but can the septic system handle the abundance of usage in a short time? When you plan a wedding, consider these factors ahead of time, so your wedding day is a smooth success! As a wedding vendor for over 19 years, we have had countless last-minute calls for restroom trailers due to septic issues.

Why Include Restroom Trailers in Your Budget?

Guest Experience: No long lines, no portables—just clean, upscale facilities.

Luxury Features: AC, running water, flushing toilets, ambient lighting, even baby-changing stations.

ADA Compliant Options: Ensure all your guests are accommodated.

Flexible Sizing: From single-stall trailers to large units that can accommodate up to 600+ guests.

💡 At Royal Restrooms of California, upscale/executive restroom trailers range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on duration, style, and location. We deliver, install, and remove, and also offer attendants/technicians to manage the trailer during your event, so you can focus on the celebration.

🎯 Wedding Budget Tips to Stay on Track

1. Start with your total budget. Know your max spend before you fall in love with vendors. Your wedding budget might adjust as you move through the process, but knowing your overall wedding budget in advance will help.

2. Prioritize. Decide what matters most—venue, photos, or food? Cut back in other areas. You can have the wedding you want, but some items may need to be DIY.

3. Build in a buffer. Allocate 5–10% for unexpected costs or upgrades; in other words, budget for unexpected things.

4. Be realistic. Research vendor pricing in your area (California costs differ from national averages).

5. Use a checklist. Keep track of deposits, balances, and due dates. Keeping a wedding calendar as part of your wedding spending plan will assist in your overall planning process. Many couples consider hiring a wedding planner to assist in the overall process and so that your wedding day is a little more carefree.

📝 Final Thoughts

Weddings are all about love, but a smart budget can save you stress and set you up for a truly joyful day. By understanding where your money goes—from the dress to the DJ to the deluxe restroom trailer—you can plan a celebration that reflects your style without sacrificing comfort or elegance. Make your wedding an experience to remember, and have fun with the process! It will be the perfect wedding!