TL;DR: A 100-guest wedding in Augusta, GA typically runs $28,000 – $46,000, with most couples landing around $34,000 — roughly $340 per guest. Catering and venue together eat about half the budget; everything else (photo, flowers, attire, music, stationery) splits the rest.
Useful summary
Augusta is meaningfully cheaper than Atlanta or the coast, but prices have tightened since 2022. For 100 guests, plan on:
- Realistic total range: $28,000 – $46,000
- Median: ~$34,000
- Per-guest cost: $280 – $460
- Minimum viable (DIY, off-peak, restaurant reception): ~$18,000
- Full-service / premium venue: $50,000+
The single biggest variable is season. Late March through early May (Masters Tournament and spring) drives hotel blocks, vendor fees, and venue minimums up 15–30%. January, February, and July–August are the cheapest windows.
Variable data table
Typical allocations for a $34,000 Augusta wedding with 100 guests:
| Category | % of budget | Dollar range | What drives the number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue (site fee, rentals) | 18% | $5,500 – $8,000 | Historic downtown venues vs. farms vs. country clubs |
| Catering & bar | 30% | $9,500 – $13,500 | Plated ($95/pp) vs. buffet ($65/pp); full bar adds $28–$40/pp |
| Photography | 10% | $2,800 – $4,500 | 8-hour coverage, one or two shooters |
| Videography | 6% | $1,800 – $3,200 | Optional; highlight reel vs. feature film |
| Flowers & decor | 9% | $2,500 – $4,500 | Peony/garden rose-heavy designs push higher |
| Attire (both partners) | 7% | $2,000 – $3,500 | Alterations typically run $300–$600 |
| Music / DJ or band | 6% | $1,500 – $3,800 | DJ ~$1,800; local band $3,500–$6,000 |
| Cake & desserts | 3% | $700 – $1,200 | $6–$9 per slice plus delivery |
| Stationery & signage | 2% | $500 – $900 | Save-the-dates, invites, day-of signage |
| Hair & makeup | 3% | $700 – $1,200 | Bride + 3–4 attendants |
| Officiant | 1% | $300 – $600 | Friend/family officiant = $0 |
| Transportation | 2% | $500 – $1,000 | Shuttle from downtown hotels |
| Rings | 3% | $2,000 – $5,000 | Varies wildly; not always in the wedding budget |
Totals assume you're booking locally. Importing vendors from Atlanta or Charleston adds 10–15% in travel fees.
Local context
Where 100-guest weddings happen in Augusta:
- Downtown (Broad Street / Riverwalk): Venues like the Marbury Center, Enterprise Mill, and the Legends Club give you brick, windows, and walkable hotel blocks. Site fees $3,500–$7,500.
- Summerville / Westobou: Historic homes and gardens — smaller footprints, often capped right around 100.
- Evans and Martinez: Country clubs and private estates. West Lake, Champions Retreat, and Savannah Rapids Pavilion all handle 100 comfortably. Expect food-and-beverage minimums of $8,000–$15,000.
- Aiken (20 min across the river): Equestrian farms and barns. Often 10–20% cheaper than downtown Augusta and a popular workaround.
Climate drivers. Summer (June–August) means 90°F+ with high humidity; outdoor ceremonies need tents, fans, and a rain plan, which adds $1,500–$3,000. Spring and late October are the sweet spot for weather but also the most expensive booking windows.
Masters week (early April) is its own market. Venues, hotels, and some vendors either black it out or charge Masters-week pricing. If your date falls within two weeks of the tournament, budget an extra 20%.
Sales tax in Richmond County is 8%, and most caterers add an 18–22% service charge on top — build both into your catering quote before signing.
Internal links
- Start with the Wedding Budget Calculator to model your exact guest count and priorities.
- Read the full Wedding Budget Guide for category-by-category breakdowns.
- Use the Wedding Checklist Guide to sequence deposits against your budget timeline.
Tool CTA
Plug your Augusta venue shortlist, guest count, and must-haves into WeddingBot and get a line-item budget in under two minutes — plus a running tracker as you book each vendor.
FAQ
Is $30,000 enough for a 100-guest wedding in Augusta?
Yes, if you're flexible on venue and season. A Saturday in October at a downtown historic venue with full bar will push past $35,000. A Friday or Sunday in February at a farm venue in Aiken or a restaurant buyout can land at $25,000–$28,000 with everything included.
What's the cheapest month to get married in Augusta?
January, February, and late July through August are the least expensive. Venues discount 15–25%, and vendor calendars are open. Avoid anything within two weeks of the Masters (early April) unless you want peak pricing.
How much should I budget for catering alone?
Plan on $85–$135 per person all-in (food, bar, staff, rentals, service charge, tax) for 100 guests in Augusta. That's $8,500–$13,500. Buffet and stations sit at the low end; plated dinners with full open bar sit at the top.
Do I need a tent for an outdoor wedding?
If you're outdoors between June and September, yes — treat the tent as required, not optional. A 40×60 tent with sides, lighting, and fans for 100 guests runs $2,500–$4,500 in the Augusta area. Even in spring, a tent-on-hold contract is smart insurance against storms.
How much do couples actually tip vendors locally?
Service charges on catering (usually 18–22%) typically cover serving staff. On top, plan $50–$150 per vendor for photographer, DJ, florist, and planner, and $1–$2 per guest for hair and makeup artists. Budget $600–$1,000 total in tip cash.
Is it cheaper to get married in Aiken instead?
Often, yes — farm and estate venues in Aiken run 10–20% less than comparable Augusta spaces, and South Carolina sales tax is lower. The tradeoff is guest transportation; you'll likely need a shuttle, which adds $500–$1,000 back.
What's a realistic minimum if we're doing this on a tight budget?
With 100 guests, a defensible floor in Augusta is $18,000–$22,000: off-peak date, restaurant or community hall buyout, beer-and-wine bar, DJ instead of band, single photographer, grocery-store or bakery cake, and DIY flowers. Below that, cut the guest count — not the experience.
Sources
- The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study
- WeddingWire Cost Guide (Georgia regional data)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Expenditure Survey
- Richmond County, GA tax authority (sales tax rates)
Related
- Wedding Budget Calculator
- Wedding Budget Guide
- Wedding Checklist Guide
- Houston, TX Wedding Budget for 25 Guests
- Houston, TX Wedding Budget for 50 Guests
- Houston, TX Wedding Budget for 75 Guests
Get started
Build a line-item Augusta budget tailored to your date, venue, and priorities — and track every deposit in one place. create_free_account