Free event budget template
A simple, free budget sheet for any event: categories, line items, budgeted and actual amounts, deposits, balances and the difference. Open it in Excel or Google Sheets.
In short: A good event budget template has six columns: category, item, vendor, budgeted, actual and variance, plus deposit and balance for anything paid in stages. Download ours below, then track each line as you pay it.
What is in the template
| Column | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Category | Venue, catering, decor, entertainment, AV, attire, stationery, transport, contingency |
| Item | The specific line, such as "hall hire" or "small chops" |
| Vendor | Who is supplying it |
| Budgeted | The amount agreed with the client |
| Deposit paid | What has gone out so far |
| Balance due | Budgeted minus deposit (calculated) |
| Actual | The final amount paid |
| Variance | Budgeted minus actual; negative means over budget |
| Due date | When the balance is due |
How to use it
- Agree the total with the client and write it at the top.
- Split it into categories. Our wedding budget guide has a percentage split you can start from.
- Add each line item and the vendor once you have a quote.
- Record deposits and balances as you pay them.
- Check the variance column every week and raise overruns with the client early.
When to move beyond a spreadsheet
A template works well for one event. Once you run several clients, you get several files, each slightly different, and the team works from whichever copy they last opened. Attend keeps a budget per event next to its guest list and vendors, with alerts before a category runs over.
Frequently asked questions
What should an event budget template include?
Category, item, vendor, budgeted amount, deposit, balance, actual amount, variance and due date.
Is the template free?
Yes. Download the CSV and open it in Excel or Google Sheets.
How do I track an event budget for several clients?
Use one budget per event. In Attend each event has its own budget by category, so clients never get mixed up.