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TL;DR: A 75-guest wedding in Carrollton, TX typically costs $32,000 – $54,000, with most couples landing around $41,000 — roughly $545 per guest. The biggest line items are venue and catering (together about 50% of the budget), followed by photography, attire, and flowers.

Useful summary

Carrollton sits in the DFW metro, which keeps wedding costs meaningfully lower than Austin or coastal Texas but slightly above smaller North Texas towns. For 75 guests, you're in a sweet spot: big enough to need a real venue and full catering, small enough to avoid the step-ups in rentals, staffing, and bar service that hit at 100+.

Here's what to expect for a Saturday wedding in peak season (April–June, September–November):

If you're aiming lower, the realistic floor for a 75-guest Carrollton wedding with photography, catering, and a venue you'd actually want photos of is around $22,000 – $26,000. Below that you're looking at a backyard, a restaurant buyout, or a weekday.

Variable data table

Typical allocation for a 75-guest wedding in Carrollton, TX:

Category % of Budget Low Median High
Venue (site fee + rentals) 18% $5,500 $7,400 $10,500
Catering (food + staff) 24% $6,800 $9,800 $14,000
Bar & beverage 8% $2,000 $3,300 $5,200
Photography 11% $3,200 $4,500 $6,800
Videography 6% $1,800 $2,500 $4,200
Flowers & decor 9% $2,400 $3,700 $6,000
Attire (both partners) 7% $1,800 $2,900 $5,500
Music / DJ or band 6% $1,400 $2,500 $6,500
Stationery & signage 2% $500 $820 $1,400
Cake & desserts 2% $450 $820 $1,500
Officiant 1% $300 $500 $900
Hair & makeup 2% $600 $820 $1,800
Transportation 1% $300 $500 $1,200
Favors, gifts, misc. 3% $800 $1,200 $2,400
Total 100% $27,870 $41,280 $67,900

Most couples land between the "low" and "high" columns, not at either extreme.

Local context

Venue types you'll see in Carrollton and nearby. The Carrollton area leans toward three venue categories: historic downtown spaces near Carrollton Square (think renovated downtown buildings and restaurant event rooms), hotel ballrooms along the I-35E and President George Bush Turnpike corridors, and barn/garden venues just north in Lewisville, The Colony, and Flower Mound. Expect site fees of $3,500–$8,500 for 75 guests, with rentals (tables, linens, chairs) adding $1,500–$3,000 when they're not included.

Catering. DFW plated dinners run $75–$130 per guest all-in with staff and rentals; buffets and stations run $55–$95. Tex-Mex and BBQ caterers — common and very good here — often come in at the lower end without feeling budget.

Bar. Texas requires a TABC-certified bartender for any wedding serving alcohol. Most venues require you to buy through a licensed caterer or bar service, which puts a 75-guest open bar at $2,500–$4,500 for beer, wine, and a couple of signature cocktails.

Weather and season. Summer (June–August) is brutally hot and humid — outdoor ceremonies need shade, fans, and water stations, or you move indoors. Late September through early November and April through early June are peak for a reason. Winter weddings (January–February) can save 20%+ on the venue alone.

Sales tax. Dallas County sales tax is 8.25%, which applies to rentals, food, and some services. Build it into every quote you receive.

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FAQ

Is $40,000 enough for a 75-guest wedding in Carrollton, TX?

Yes, $40,000 is right at the local median and gives you a mid-range venue, a plated or premium buffet dinner, an experienced photographer, a DJ, and real flowers. You'll make tradeoffs — videography or a band usually means trimming elsewhere — but you won't feel squeezed.

How much should I budget per guest?

Plan on $425–$720 per guest in Carrollton for 75 people. The per-guest number drops as you scale up because fixed costs (photography, DJ, officiant, attire) spread across more people; at 25 guests per-guest cost often exceeds $900.

What's the single biggest way to lower a 75-guest budget here?

Move off Saturday. A Friday evening or Sunday afternoon wedding in Carrollton typically saves 15–25% on venue and often unlocks better photographer availability. A January or February date saves even more.

Do Carrollton venues usually include tables, chairs, and linens?

It's split. Hotel ballrooms and all-inclusive venues usually include the basics. Historic downtown spaces and barn venues around Lewisville and Flower Mound often don't, which adds $1,500–$3,000 in rentals for 75 guests. Always ask for a line-item quote.

How much should we set aside for a bar for 75 people?

Budget $2,500–$4,500 for a 4–5 hour open bar with beer, wine, and two signature cocktails, including a TABC-certified bartender. Full liquor pushes that to $5,000+. Dry weddings and beer/wine only can cut this in half.

What's a realistic photography budget for 75 guests in Carrollton?

$3,500–$5,500 gets you an experienced DFW photographer with 8 hours of coverage and an edited gallery. Under $2,500 you're typically hiring newer shooters or getting shorter coverage — workable, but vet portfolios carefully.

Should I include a buffer for surprise costs?

Yes. Add a 5–8% contingency on top of your working budget — roughly $2,000–$3,500 for a 75-guest wedding. It covers vendor tips (15–20% of service costs is standard), last-minute rentals, alterations overages, and weather backups.

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