When you begin to envision a wedding or private event, one of the first questions that inevitably arises is: how much will it cost?
The answer, however, is: “It depends!” We know this may seem like an unsatisfying response, but the fact is that there is no standard price, because no two events are alike.
Each project is born from a different combination of desires, priorities, number of guests, atmosphere, venue, décor, and level of personalization.
Rather than asking “how much does a wedding cost,” it is more useful to ask: what truly determines the budget for a bespoke event?
Why there is no standard price
The main difference lies between an event built through predefined solutions and a project designed to measure.
In the first case, one often works with standardized packages, ready-made formulas, and limited margins for personalization. In the second, however, every choice is built around the story, style, and experience you wish to create—and this is where we position ourselves!
It is precisely this that makes it impossible to speak of a figure valid for everyone: every decision modifies the final investment.
The number of guests
The number of guests is one of the first variables that affects the budget.
More guests mean: a larger venue, more tables, seating and place settings, greater quantities of flowers, stationery and décor, more complex logistical organization.
An intimate wedding with 40 people often allows for greater investment in details and experience. An event with 150 or 200 guests, however, requires a different balance between visual impact, comfort, and overall management.
The choice of venue
The venue also has a significant impact.
A private villa, historic residence, garden, farmhouse, or contemporary space all have very different costs, not only for rental, but also for what they include or require.
Some venues already provide furnishings, lighting, marquees, or covered spaces. Others, however, must be built almost from scratch, adding: rentals, lighting and audio systems, marquees, generators, logistics and transportation.
Often a seemingly more economical venue can prove, in the end, more expensive if it requires many additional interventions.
Furthermore, not only the type, but also the geographical location can significantly affect the cost of venues.
The budget items that have the greatest impact
Every event has a different balance, but there are certain areas that have more impact than others.
Décor and aesthetic design
Décor is one of the most variable items, because it depends entirely on the desired level of personalization.
This category includes: floral design, tables and place settings, furnishings, fabrics and linens, lighting design, candles, scenic elements, coordinated stationery.
A minimal design will have a very different economic impact compared to a scenic installation with structures, floral installations, chandeliers, draping, or custom-built tables.
The difference is not merely aesthetic: décor helps define the atmosphere, visual rhythm, and the way guests will experience the space.
Food & beverage
Catering almost always represents one of the most significant budget items.
Here too, the difference depends on the type of experience you wish to offer.
A simple aperitif and straightforward dinner have very different costs compared to an elaborate gastronomic journey, themed stations, live cooking, open bar, signature cocktails, after-dinner service.
Food, today, is no longer merely a functional element: it is an integral part of the experience and narrative of the event.
The selection of catering is of primary importance for the logistical aspect of the event as well, not only the gastronomic.
Photography, video, and entertainment
There are aspects that are almost always worth investing in, and among these are certainly photography, video, and entertainment.
Images are what remain over time. A good photographer or videographer does not simply document what happens, but manages to convey atmosphere, emotions, and details. Your tangible memories depend on their work.
The same applies to music and entertainment: a DJ, live band, or custom-designed performance can completely transform the energy of the evening.
Direction and coordination
Often the role of the wedding planner or event designer is perceived as an additional cost. In reality, it is one of the figures that helps bring balance to the entire project.
The wedding planner and designer allows you to: define priorities, distribute the budget correctly, avoid unnecessary expenses, coordinate suppliers and timelines, transform scattered ideas into a coherent project, manage unforeseen circumstances.
A well-conceived event does not necessarily mean spending more, but investing better.
Budget ranges: some concrete examples
Every event is different, but to provide orientation it may be useful to envision some indicative ranges.
Intimate and refined wedding
For a wedding with approximately 30-50 guests, in a simple yet evocative venue, with essential décor and great attention to detail, one can envision an investment starting from €30,000.
Elegant wedding with personalized design
For a wedding with approximately 80-100 guests, in a villa or exclusive venue, with a defined concept, floral décor, lighting design, and a more elaborate experience, the budget can start from €50,000-60,000.
Scenic and immersive event
When the project, still considering approximately 100 guests, includes significant scenography, installations, complex direction, entertainment, and strong personalization, the investment can start at €80,000, extending well beyond depending on requirements.
These figures are not rigid rules, but reference points. The goal is not to chase a number, but to understand how to distribute the budget in a manner consistent with what truly matters.
Where it truly makes sense to invest
When the budget is not unlimited—and it almost never is—the best choice is to understand which elements will have the greatest impact on the experience. In general, our impartial advice is to concentrate the budget on certain key points; the effect will be more impactful, rather than fragmenting it across many small costs.
There are certain aspects that radically change the final result: the venue, lighting, quality of photography, aesthetic design, comfort and guest experience
Conversely, there are details that can be simplified without losing elegance.
The secret is not to do everything, but to make the right choices. And we are here to put our experience at your service, to develop a project that is uniquely yours, to guide you through the jungle of proposals, to understand what works for you, to direct your budget optimally, to support you in your decisions.
The true value of a bespoke project
Organizing a wedding or event does not simply mean assembling a series of suppliers.
It means creating an atmosphere, envisioning an experience, crafting a coherent narrative in which every detail has meaning.
This is the true value of a bespoke project: not paying "more," but investing in something that is genuinely designed around you, your priorities, and the way you wish to feel on that day.
When the project is well constructed, every choice finds its place, the budget is used more consciously, and the result appears natural, harmonious, and authentic.
Every event has a different balance between desires, priorities, and investment. The starting point is not understanding how much you need to spend, but what truly matters to you.
Do not let figures hold you back. If you are beginning to think about your wedding, you can contact us—together we will form an idea of which path to take!
Love u, Ila Malù
