Wedding Planner Pricing: How Costs Are Determined & What to Expect

If you’re interested in hiring a wedding planner for your special day, you may be wondering how wedding planners set their prices. First and foremost, it is important to consider that there are various types of wedding planners, so their pricing models can vary greatly. The primary factors that influence a wedding planner's pricing are their experience in the industry, the level of work required, and the complexity of executing the wedding. Understanding how these factors influence pricing will help you make an informed decision when selecting the perfect wedding planner to help create your special day.

How Do Wedding Planners Charge?

Wedding planners typically charge fees based on the specific services they offer. While the pricing methods can vary from one planner to another, the most common approaches include charging 10% to 20% of the overall wedding budget, a flat fee, or an hourly rate. The most popular out of the three is to charge a percentage of the total wedding budget which ties the wedding planner’s fee to the overall cost of the wedding.

How Much Do Wedding Planners Make Per Wedding?

The amount of money that a wedding planner makes per wedding depends on their pricing structure which is based on their level of experience, the destination of the wedding, the type of service being provided, and the complexity of the wedding. Wedding planner cost per hour can be averaged to $50-$200+ per hour, however, most wedding planners charge a percentage of the total wedding budget which ranges from 10-20% depending on the service being provided. A percentage based structure is especially common for full-service and luxury wedding planners.

How Much Do Full-Service Wedding Planners Make Per Wedding?

Full-service wedding planner cost is going to be typically 20% of the overall budget of the wedding and the price is reflected by the services being provided, the location of the event, and the level of expertise they’ve established. The 20% overall budget fee is associated with premium or luxury weddings where the level of service is more extravagant and reflects the effort invested into planning a flawless wedding day.

How Much Should You Spend On a Wedding Coordinator?

For a day-of wedding coordinator you should spend $800-$2,500 on average, and for a month coordinator the cost averages from $1,500-$4,000. This option is ideal for a couple who wants some extra help executing their day but not with planning all of the details.

Difference Between Day of Coordinator and Month of Coordinator

Day-of Wedding Coordinator: A day-of wedding planner steps in a couple of weeks before your wedding day to help execute the pre planned details. Day-of coordinator takes over managing all of the details on the day of the wedding from coordinating with the vendors, wedding day logistics, and ensuring a smooth timeline of the day. This service allows the couple to fully enjoy their big day.

Month-of Wedding Coordinator: A month-of wedding coordinator usually steps in 4-6 weeks prior to the date of the event and helps manage the last of the details such as vendor contracts, creating a wedding day timeline, and taking care of any logistics along the way. This specific service is ideal for couples who have less complex weddings planned, but are looking for professional help to make sure it comes together seamlessly.

How Much Do Wedding Planners Charge in Los Angeles?

When searching for a wedding planner, couples like to compare the price for wedding planners in very popular cities such as Los Angeles, California, and like to compare the cost to their own destination or to wedding planners near me. The cost of a full-service wedding planner in Los Angeles averages $12,000-$20,000 while the national average is $4,500-$12,000. The average cost of a wedding planner in California is typically higher than the national average and from 50-100% which is some of the highest rates in the country.

Key Factors Driving Premium Wedding Prices in High-Demand Cities

The main factors contributing to higher costs for luxury weddings in metropolitan areas are influenced by:

1. Luxurious expectations with lavish aesthetics
2. High demand wedding seasons
3. Limited venues at prime locations
4. Premium vendors that are highly skilled
5. Luxurious elements
6. Higher cost of labor
7. Logistics and transportation

If you’re interested in full-service luxury wedding planning, please follow this link to schedule a meeting with Ramblewood Events!