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TL;DR: A 100-guest wedding in Arlington, TX typically costs $28,000 – $48,000 all-in, with most couples landing near $34,000 — roughly $340 per guest. Venue and catering together eat about 55% of that; the rest is photography, flowers, attire, music, and the small-but-sneaky line items (stationery, rentals, gratuities).

Useful summary

You're planning for 100 guests in Arlington, which puts you in the sweet spot for mid-size weddings in the DFW metroplex — big enough for full-service catering and a live band to make sense, small enough that a single venue buyout isn't mandatory.

Here's what to expect:

If you want to stay near the low end, the biggest levers are Friday or Sunday dates, buffet instead of plated, beer-and-wine bar, and off-peak months (January, February, July, August in Arlington).

Variable data table

Typical allocation for a $34,000 Arlington wedding with 100 guests:

Category % of Budget Dollar Range Notes
Venue (rental + fees) 12 – 18% $4,000 – $6,000 Lower at all-inclusive packages
Catering (food) 28 – 32% $9,000 – $11,000 $90 – $130 per guest typical
Bar / beverages 6 – 10% $2,000 – $3,500 Beer+wine saves ~40% vs. full bar
Photography 10 – 12% $3,400 – $4,200 8-hour package standard
Videography 5 – 8% $1,700 – $2,700 Optional but rising fast
Flowers + decor 8 – 10% $2,700 – $3,500 Ceremony + 10 centerpieces
Attire (both partners) 5 – 8% $1,700 – $2,700 Includes alterations
Music (DJ or band) 5 – 10% $1,700 – $3,400 DJ ~$1,800; band $4,500+
Cake + desserts 2 – 3% $700 – $1,000
Stationery + signage 2 – 3% $700 – $1,000
Hair + makeup 2 – 3% $700 – $1,000 Bride + 3 – 4 attendants
Officiant 1% $300 – $500
Transportation 1 – 2% $400 – $700
Rentals (chairs, linens, lounge) 2 – 4% $700 – $1,400 Skip if venue includes
Gratuities + service fees 3 – 5% $1,000 – $1,700 Often forgotten
Buffer (5 – 10%) 5 – 10% $1,700 – $3,400 Build this in on day one

Local context

Arlington sits between Dallas and Fort Worth, which is a planning advantage: you get metroplex-level vendor depth without paying a pure Dallas ZIP code premium. Venue pricing here generally runs 10 – 20% below downtown Dallas and similar to Fort Worth.

A few things that shape your number:

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The fastest way to pressure-test the numbers above against your actual priorities is to run them through the calculator, adjust the sliders for Arlington venues and guest count, and export a category-by-category plan you can share with your partner or parents in one click.

FAQ

Is $34,000 really the average for 100 guests in Arlington?

Yes — that's consistent with Texas metroplex data from The Knot and WeddingWire, adjusted for Arlington's mid-metroplex pricing. Couples who DIY decor and use a restaurant or all-inclusive venue often come in under $28,000; couples booking a downtown hotel with plated dinner and live band typically land between $42,000 and $55,000.

How much should I budget per guest?

Plan on $280 – $480 per guest for a full seated reception in Arlington. Food and beverage alone run $120 – $180 per head, and every additional guest also adds incremental costs to rentals, stationery, favors, and bar — which is why cutting your list by 15 people can save $5,000+ quickly.

What's the cheapest realistic budget for 100 guests here?

Around $18,000 – $22,000 if you pick a Friday or Sunday, use a restaurant or park pavilion, serve a buffet with beer and wine, hire a DJ instead of a band, and keep florals to a ceremony arch plus bud vases. Below $18,000, you're usually cutting either guest experience (no open bar) or key vendors (shorter photo coverage, no videographer).

How far in advance should I book venues in Arlington?

9 – 14 months for Saturday dates at popular venues, especially April–May and October–November. All-inclusive packages and hotel ballrooms often have more flexibility than boutique estates. If your date is less than 6 months out, expect to be choosing from Fridays, Sundays, or off-peak months.

Do I need a wedding planner for 100 guests?

Not strictly, but a month-of coordinator ($1,200 – $2,500) pays for itself almost every time — they manage vendor arrivals, timeline, and the dozens of small day-of decisions that would otherwise fall to you or your parents. Full-service planners run $5,000 – $10,000 and make sense if you're working over 50+ hours/week or planning from out of town.

What do couples most often forget to budget for?

Service charges and gratuities (easily $2,000 – $3,500 combined), marriage license and officiant fees, alterations, postage for invites and save-the-dates, welcome bags, vendor meals, and day-of transportation. Build a 5 – 10% buffer into your top-line number to absorb these.

How does Arlington compare to Dallas or Fort Worth for wedding costs?

Arlington typically runs 10 – 20% less than downtown Dallas and roughly on par with Fort Worth. Vendor pools overlap heavily across the metroplex, so you can book Dallas or Fort Worth photographers and florists without a travel fee — a real advantage for keeping quality high while keeping venue costs mid-range.

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