TL;DR: A typical wedding in Augusta, GA runs $22,000 – $38,000 for 100–130 guests, with most couples landing around $28,000. Catering and venue eat roughly 55% of that; the Masters Week premium and your guest count are the two biggest swing factors.
Useful summary
Augusta is meaningfully cheaper than Atlanta, Charleston, or Savannah — generally 15–25% lower on venue and catering — but the city has one quirk that breaks every rule: Masters Week (early April). Hotels, rentals, and many vendors triple their rates and book out a year in advance.
Outside of that one week, Augusta is a value market. You can host a polished 120-person wedding at a historic downtown venue, with a plated dinner and a real band, for what a basic Atlanta wedding costs.
The three things that move your number the most: - Guest count. Each additional guest adds roughly $110 – $180 all-in (food, bar, rentals, stationery, favors). - Date. Saturdays in October and May carry a 10–20% premium. January, February, and July weekday weddings are the cheapest. - Venue type. A backyard or club-member venue can cut $4,000 – $8,000 vs. a downtown historic site.
Variable data table
Estimated costs for a 120-guest Saturday wedding in Augusta, GA, off-Masters-Week:
| Category | Budget range | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue (ceremony + reception) | $2,500 – $4,500 | $5,000 – $8,500 | $9,000 – $14,000 |
| Catering (food, 120 guests) | $6,000 – $8,400 | $8,400 – $12,000 | $12,000 – $18,000 |
| Bar (beer/wine, 5 hr) | $1,800 – $2,400 | $2,400 – $3,600 | $3,600 – $5,500 |
| Photography | $2,200 – $3,200 | $3,200 – $4,800 | $4,800 – $7,500 |
| Videography | $1,500 – $2,200 | $2,200 – $3,500 | $3,500 – $5,500 |
| Florals | $1,500 – $2,500 | $2,500 – $4,500 | $4,500 – $8,000 |
| Music (DJ or band) | $900 – $1,400 (DJ) | $1,400 – $2,200 (DJ) | $4,500 – $9,000 (band) |
| Attire (dress + suit + alterations) | $1,200 – $2,000 | $2,000 – $3,800 | $3,800 – $7,500 |
| Cake / desserts | $400 – $700 | $700 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $2,200 |
| Stationery (invites + day-of) | $350 – $600 | $600 – $1,100 | $1,100 – $2,000 |
| Hair & makeup | $400 – $700 | $700 – $1,200 | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| Officiant | $250 – $450 | $450 – $700 | $700 – $1,200 |
| Rentals (linens, lounge, lighting) | $800 – $1,500 | $1,500 – $3,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Coordinator | $900 – $1,500 (day-of) | $1,800 – $3,500 (partial) | $4,500 – $9,000 (full) |
| Transportation + misc | $500 – $900 | $900 – $1,800 | $1,800 – $3,500 |
| Estimated total | $22,000 – $32,000 | $32,000 – $50,000 | $55,000 – $95,000 |
Masters Week multiplier: Add 40–80% to venue, lodging, and rentals if your date falls between the Saturday before and the Sunday of The Masters.
Local context
Common venue types in and around Augusta: - Downtown historic venues (Sacred Heart Cultural Center, Olde Town homes, Enterprise Mill, the Miller Theater) — character-driven, $5,000–$10,000 site fee. - Country clubs (Augusta Country Club, West Lake, Forest Hills) — turnkey with in-house catering; great if a member is hosting. - River-adjacent and barn venues in Columbia and Edgefield County — typically 25–40% cheaper, but you'll bring in catering and rentals. - Hotel ballrooms (Marriott on the Riverwalk, Augusta Convention Center) — convenient for out-of-town guests, simpler logistics.
Climate to plan around: July–August humidity routinely hits the 90s; outdoor ceremonies need shade, fans, and a hard rain backup. October and April are the comfortable sweet spots — which is also why they're priced higher.
Regional cost drivers: - Florals are mid-priced; most florists source from Atlanta wholesalers, so peony and garden rose seasons (April–June) get expensive. - Catering skews Southern — BBQ, low-country boil, and station-style buffets are 20–30% cheaper than plated. - Lodging blocks are tight even in non-Masters weeks because of CSRA medical conferences. Block rooms 9+ months out. - Sales tax in Richmond County is 8%, applied to most vendor invoices.
Internal links
- For the full national picture and how Augusta compares, see the Wedding Budget Guide.
- For the bigger planning roadmap (timeline, vendor order, contracts), start with the Wedding Planning Guide.
- Comparing markets? Texas metros tend to run higher — see Houston, Dallas, and Austin.
Tool CTA
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FAQ
What is the average cost of a wedding in Augusta, GA?
Most couples spend $22,000 to $38,000 on a 100–130 guest wedding in Augusta, with the median around $28,000. That figure assumes a Saturday outside Masters Week, a mid-range venue, plated or buffet catering, and a DJ rather than a band.
How much more expensive is a Masters Week wedding?
Expect to pay 40–80% more on venue, lodging, rentals, and short-term housing during Masters Week (early April). Many vendors won't even quote the week because their crews are booked on corporate hospitality. If your date isn't tied to the tournament, pick a different week.
What's the cheapest month to get married in Augusta?
January, February, and mid-July through August are the lowest-priced months. Venues commonly discount 15–25% off Saturday rates, and Friday or Sunday dates in those months can drop another 10–15%. The trade-off is weather — winter is unpredictable and summer is humid.
How much should we budget for catering per person?
Plan on $55 – $95 per guest for food and $18 – $30 per guest for a beer-and-wine bar. Full open bar with liquor pushes that to $40–$60 per guest. Augusta caterers usually quote separately for staffing, rentals, and 20% service — read the proposal line by line.
Do we need a wedding planner in Augusta?
A day-of coordinator ($900–$1,500) is worth it for almost any wedding over 60 guests; a partial planner ($1,800–$3,500) is smart if your venue doesn't include a venue manager. Full planning is typically reserved for weddings over $60,000 or for couples planning from out of town.
How far in advance should we book Augusta venues?
Book your venue 9–14 months out for popular Saturdays in spring and fall. For any date in March or April, assume 18+ months because of Masters demand spilling into surrounding weeks. Photographers and bands book on a similar timeline.
Is it cheaper to get married in Augusta than Atlanta?
Yes — typically 20–30% cheaper across venue, catering, and floral. The largest gap is venue rental: an Atlanta downtown venue averaging $12,000 has a comparable Augusta equivalent at $6,000–$8,000. Photography and attire prices are roughly the same in both cities.
Sources
- The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study (regional cost data)
- WeddingWire Cost Guide — Georgia
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey
- Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau (Masters Week lodging data)
Related
- Wedding Planning Guide
- Wedding Budget Guide
- Average Wedding Cost in Houston, TX
- Average Wedding Cost in Dallas, TX
- Average Wedding Cost in Austin, TX
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