This is the circle where couples ask the question everyone tiptoes around: what does it actually cost? We answer with real numbers — per-plate ranges, what drives a budget up, where the money quietly disappears, and how 100 guests versus 300 changes everything. No vague "it depends." We've planned enough weddings to give you a figure and the reasoning behind it, so you can walk into the conversation with your parents holding facts instead of guesses. Ask about a specific city, a specific guest count, a specific worry. Post what you've been quoted and we'll tell you if it's fair. The more honest you are about your budget, the more useful the answer — and other couples reading later will thank you for asking the awkward question out loud.