TL;DR: A 100-guest wedding in Long Beach, CA typically runs $42,000 – $72,000 all-in, with most couples landing around $55,000. Expect to spend roughly 45–50% on venue and catering combined, since waterfront and event-center pricing in the South Bay pulls food-and-beverage minimums higher than the national average.
H1 with location/variant
This page covers realistic wedding budgets for 100 guests in Long Beach, CA — including the Belmont Shore, Downtown/Pine Avenue, Queen Mary, and Naples Island areas. If you're planning for a different size (25, 50, or 75 guests), we have separate breakdowns linked below.
Useful summary
At 100 guests, you're at the size where per-person catering becomes your biggest lever. Long Beach venues typically quote food-and-beverage minimums between $150 and $275 per person, which is why catering alone can account for a third of your total. Here's what the budget actually looks like:
- Low end ($42,000): a restaurant buyout, winery, or park/community venue (e.g. Rancho Los Cerritos, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden) with a limited bar and a weekday or off-season date.
- Mid-range ($55,000): a hotel ballroom or event space like The Grand Long Beach, Hotel Maya, or The Loft on Pine, with a plated dinner and beer/wine open bar on a Saturday.
- High end ($72,000+): a waterfront venue like The Reef, Queen Mary, or a Naples Island yacht charter, with full open bar, upgraded florals, and live music.
The 100-guest threshold also triggers rental upgrades most couples don't plan for: a second bartender (required by most LB caterers over 75 guests), additional restroom attendants for outdoor sites, and sometimes a larger dance floor.
Variable data table
Typical category breakdown for a $55,000 mid-range Long Beach wedding at 100 guests:
| Category | Budget Range | % of Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue (site fee) | $7,000 – $12,000 | 16% | Higher for Queen Mary, waterfront |
| Catering & bar | $18,000 – $27,500 | 40% | $180–$275/pp incl. service + tax |
| Photography | $4,500 – $7,500 | 11% | 8 hrs + second shooter |
| Videography | $2,800 – $5,500 | 7% | Optional but common add-on |
| Florals & decor | $4,500 – $8,000 | 10% | Ceremony + 10 centerpieces |
| Attire (both partners) | $2,500 – $5,500 | 6% | Dress, suit, alterations |
| Music (DJ or band) | $1,800 – $6,500 | 5% | DJ low, live band high |
| Stationery & signage | $800 – $1,800 | 2% | Invites, menus, seating chart |
| Cake / dessert | $600 – $1,400 | 1% | ~$7–$12 per slice |
| Hair & makeup | $900 – $2,200 | 2% | Bride + 4–6 in party |
| Officiant | $400 – $900 | 1% | Higher for custom ceremony |
| Transportation | $600 – $1,800 | 1% | Shuttle for hotel guests |
| Coordinator | $1,800 – $3,500 | 4% | Month-of to partial planning |
| Gratuities & buffer | $2,000 – $4,000 | 5% | Don't skip this |
Add 8.25–10.25% sales tax and 20–22% service charge on catering — these are the line items couples most often forget.
Local context
A few things that specifically shape Long Beach wedding budgets:
- Parking and permits. Many Long Beach venues (especially near Downtown and Shoreline Village) charge $8–$20 per guest for parking or valet. Negotiate this upfront or build it in.
- Marine-layer season. Weddings in May and June along the coast often need tent sides, patio heaters, or an indoor backup — budget $800–$2,500 for weather contingency if you're outdoors.
- Queen Mary and historic venues have strict approved-vendor lists, which can narrow your catering options and push the per-person cost up by 10–15% versus an open-vendor venue.
- Los Angeles County noise ordinances typically end outdoor amplified music by 10 p.m., so plan your timeline around that rather than paying for after-hours upgrades.
- Off-peak discounts are real. A Friday or Sunday wedding in January, February, or August can cut venue and catering minimums by 15–25% compared to a Saturday in September or October.
Internal links
- For a walkthrough of how to actually allocate this money across vendors, start with our Wedding Budget Guide.
- If you want to pressure-test these numbers against your priorities, run them through the Wedding Budget Calculator.
- Comparing guest counts? See 50 guests or 75 guests to see where the cost curve bends.
- To make sure your budget tracks against your timeline, cross-reference the Wedding Checklist Guide.
Tool CTA
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FAQ
Is $50,000 enough for a 100-guest wedding in Long Beach?
Yes, if you're flexible on venue and date. $50,000 comfortably covers a mid-range Long Beach wedding with a restaurant or event-space venue, beer-and-wine bar, DJ, and standard photography. It gets tight if you want a waterfront venue, full open bar, and live music on a Saturday in peak season.
What's the average cost per guest for a Long Beach wedding?
Most Long Beach couples spend $450–$650 per guest all-in at the 100-guest count. Catering and bar alone typically run $180–$275 per person before tax and service charge. Waterfront and Queen Mary venues push that toward the high end.
How much should I budget for the bar at 100 guests?
Plan on $55–$95 per guest for a 5-hour full open bar in Long Beach, or $35–$55 per guest for beer and wine only. Cash bars are legal in California but considered poor etiquette — a hosted beer-and-wine bar with signature cocktails is the common compromise.
What's the cheapest time to get married in Long Beach?
January, February, and August are the slowest months, with venue discounts of 15–25% versus fall. Friday and Sunday dates also cost meaningfully less than Saturday — often $2,000–$5,000 off the site fee alone. Avoid Memorial Day through early October weekends if budget is tight.
Do I need a wedding planner for a 100-guest Long Beach wedding?
At 100 guests you need at minimum a month-of coordinator, budgeted at $1,800–$3,500. The logistics of vendor arrivals, parking, and timeline at a Long Beach venue are too much to hand to a family member. Full-service planners run $8,000–$15,000 and are worth it if you have a demanding work schedule or out-of-town family.
How much should I set aside as a buffer?
Keep 5–8% of your total budget unallocated for overages — at $55,000, that's roughly $3,000–$4,500. The most common surprise line items in Long Beach are parking fees, overtime for photographers, and last-minute guest additions that push catering over the guaranteed count.
Are tax and service charge included in venue quotes?
Usually not. Long Beach venue and catering quotes are typically presented pre-tax and pre-service. Add 10.25% sales tax and 20–22% service charge to any food and beverage number before comparing venues. On a $20,000 catering contract, that's an extra $6,000–$6,500.
Sources
- The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study
- WeddingWire Cost Guide (Los Angeles / Long Beach metro)
- Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau venue directory
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (sales tax rates)
Related
- Wedding Budget Calculator
- Wedding Budget Guide
- Wedding Budget for 25 Guests (Houston, TX)
- Wedding Budget for 50 Guests (Houston, TX)
- Wedding Budget for 75 Guests (Houston, TX)
- Wedding Checklist Guide
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