TL;DR: A 100-guest wedding in Round Rock, TX typically costs $32,000 – $55,000, with a realistic middle-of-the-road target around $42,000 (roughly $420 per guest). Catering and venue will eat about 55% of that total, so lock those two numbers first.
Useful summary
You're planning for 100 guests in the Austin metro, which means you'll pay Austin-adjacent prices without quite paying downtown Austin prices. Round Rock venues run 10–20% below comparable properties inside Austin city limits, but catering, florals, and photography pricing are effectively the same across the metro.
Here's how to think about the number:
- Floor ($32K): weekday or Sunday date, all-inclusive venue, buffet, two-tier cake, DJ, 6-hour photography, modest florals.
- Middle ($42K): Saturday date, separate venue and caterer, plated or station meal, full bar (beer/wine/two signatures), 8-hour photography, live band or premium DJ.
- Stretch ($55K+): peak-season Saturday at a destination-style venue (Hill Country edge), full open bar, videography, designer florals, and day-of coordination upgraded to full planning.
Per-guest math that actually holds up locally: $85–$140 food, $35–$70 bar, $15–$25 rentals/linens, $12–$20 stationery/favors. Fixed costs (venue, photo, video, flowers, attire, officiant, music) sit on top.
Variable data table
Typical allocation for a $42,000 budget, 100 guests, Round Rock:
| Category | % of budget | Dollar range |
|---|---|---|
| Venue (site fee + ceremony) | 18% | $6,500 – $9,000 |
| Catering (food + service) | 28% | $10,000 – $14,000 |
| Bar / beverage | 9% | $3,000 – $4,500 |
| Photography | 10% | $3,800 – $5,500 |
| Videography | 6% | $2,200 – $3,500 |
| Florals + decor | 8% | $2,800 – $4,500 |
| Music (DJ or band) | 5% | $1,500 – $3,500 (band: $4K–$7K) |
| Attire (both partners + alterations) | 6% | $2,200 – $4,000 |
| Cake / desserts | 2% | $600 – $1,200 |
| Stationery (invites, signage) | 2% | $600 – $1,200 |
| Hair + makeup | 2% | $700 – $1,400 |
| Coordination (day-of) | 3% | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Transportation + misc | 1% | $400 – $900 |
Swap levers, ranked by dollar impact: - Friday or Sunday instead of Saturday: save $2,000–$5,000 on venue alone. - Beer + wine + two signature cocktails instead of full open bar: save ~$1,500. - DJ over live band: save $3,000–$4,000. - Greenery-heavy florals over peonies/garden roses: save $1,000–$2,000.
Local context
Round Rock sits about 20 miles north of downtown Austin, and it gives you a few real advantages for a 100-person wedding:
- Venue variety close by. Expect to consider Hill Country–style properties out toward Georgetown and Liberty Hill, barn/ranch venues in the Brushy Creek and Hutto corridor, hotel ballrooms at the Kalahari and the Marriott near Old Settlers Park, and historic spaces downtown on Main Street. All-inclusive ranches in the area typically quote $8,000–$14,000 for a 100-guest Saturday including rentals.
- Climate dictates the date. May and September–early November are the sweet spot. Mid-June through early September means 95°F+ heat, so outdoor ceremonies need a covered backup, fans, or a 5:30 pm start. Winter weddings (Dec–Feb) are the best deals — venues often discount 20–30%.
- Alcohol rules. Texas requires a TABC-certified bartender for any bar where alcohol is served to guests, even if you supply the liquor. Most Round Rock venues either include this or require you hire through an approved list — budget $300–$600 for two bartenders over 5 hours.
- Sales tax + service. Catering in Williamson County carries 8.25% sales tax plus a typical 20–22% service charge. On a $12,000 food quote, that's another $3,400. Always ask vendors if their quote is pre-tax and pre-service.
- Guest lodging. Most out-of-town guests stay along I-35 near the outlets or at Kalahari. Room blocks of 10+ rooms usually get you 10–15% off rack rate — not a line item in your budget, but worth setting up.
Internal links
- A full breakdown of how to split categories: see the Wedding Budget Guide.
- Running the math yourself: use the Wedding Budget Calculator.
- Comparing guest counts: 25 guests in Houston, 50 guests in Houston, 75 guests in Houston.
- Sequencing the budget with your timeline: Wedding Checklist Guide.
Tool CTA
Plug your real numbers into the Wedding Budget Calculator and it will allocate the $42K (or your number) across all 13 categories, flag where you're over or under the local Round Rock benchmark, and let you swap line items to see the impact in real time.
FAQ
How much should I budget for a 100-person wedding in Round Rock?
Plan on $32,000 – $55,000 total, with $42,000 as the realistic middle. That's about $420 per guest all-in. If you're anchored to a hard number, work backwards: multiply your per-guest food and bar estimate ($120–$210) by 100, then add roughly $22,000 in fixed costs.
Is Round Rock cheaper than getting married in Austin?
Yes, modestly. Venue fees run 10–20% less than comparable Austin properties, and you'll have an easier time finding Saturday dates within 9–12 months out. Catering, photography, florals, and DJ pricing are essentially identical across the Austin metro because most vendors cover both markets.
What's the single biggest way to cut costs?
Move off a Saturday in peak season. A Friday or Sunday in October versus a Saturday in October can save you $3,000–$6,000 across the venue, catering minimums, and vendor weekend premiums combined. Winter Saturdays (January, early February) are the next-best lever.
How much should I keep as a contingency?
Hold back 5–8% of your total budget as contingency — so $2,000–$3,500 on a $42K wedding. The most common overruns are alterations, rental add-ons (heaters, extra linens), day-of gratuities, and last-minute guest count swings.
Do Round Rock venues charge Texas sales tax on the site fee?
Generally the site fee itself isn't taxed, but anything bundled with it — rentals, catering, coordination — is taxed at 8.25%. Always ask for a line-item quote. Service charges (separate from gratuity) are often also taxable in Texas.
How much should I budget for tips and gratuities?
Plan on $800 – $1,500 in cash tips for a $42K wedding: $50–$150 per vendor lead, $20–$40 per assistant, plus bartenders ($20–$40 each) and any delivery crews. Some caterers build an 18–20% gratuity into their service charge — read the contract before double-tipping.
Can we do 100 guests for under $30,000 in Round Rock?
It's tight but possible. You'd need a weekday or Sunday winter date, an all-inclusive venue under $7,000, a buffet caterer at $75/person, beer-and-wine bar only, a 6-hour photography package, DIY florals, and skipping videography. Expect to actively cut rather than upgrade.
Sources
- The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study (Austin metro)
- WeddingWire Cost Guide, Austin–Round Rock MSA
- Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) licensing requirements
- Williamson County tax assessor (sales tax rate)
Related
- Wedding Budget Calculator
- Wedding Budget Guide
- Wedding Budget for 25 Guests in Houston, TX
- Wedding Budget for 50 Guests in Houston, TX
- Wedding Budget for 75 Guests in Houston, TX
- Wedding Checklist Guide
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