How Wedding Planners Charge: Flat Fee Or Percentage?

Wedding planners can charge in a few different ways: a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the overall wedding bill. Charging a flat fee is the simplest and most common pricing structure used today. It gives customers a clear idea of what they can expect to pay, and it's commonly seen in the wedding industry. However, it can limit earning potential and may not compensate planners for extra work, time, and staffing.

Flat fee, hourly rate, or percentage of the overall wedding budget

Wedding planners can charge in three ways: a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the overall wedding bill.

Flat Fee

A flat fee is a simple pricing structure where the wedding planner charges a set amount for a set of deliverables (e.g. $10,000 for full-service planning). This structure is common in the wedding industry and offers clients certainty about how much they will be paying. However, it can limit the wedding planner's earning potential, especially if the scale of the event increases.

Hourly Rate

Charging an hourly rate is often used for partial planning services, where the wedding planner is hired for a set number of hours to help with specific tasks. This structure ensures that the wedding planner is fairly compensated for their time, particularly if the planning takes more hours than anticipated. However, it can be complicated for full-service wedding planners and may require justifying every hour added to the invoice.

Percentage of the Overall Wedding Budget

This structure is common for full-service wedding planners and involves charging a percentage of the client's overall wedding budget as a "management fee". The percentage can range from 10% to 20% of the budget, depending on the location. This method ensures that the wedding planner is paid a proportion of each vendor they manage and is compensated according to the scale of the event. However, it may require more explanation to clients and might not be ideal for smaller budgets.

Full-service wedding planner

Wedding planners can charge in a few different ways: a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the overall wedding bill. The cost of a wedding planner depends on a variety of factors, such as location, services hired, and the type of wedding. The average cost of a wedding planner was $2,100 in 2023, but this number can be upwards of $10,000 or more.

• Help with hiring vendors: A full-service wedding planner will help you book every professional you need, from caterers to sari drapers for a Hindu ceremony. They will also manage conversations with the venue, negotiating rates and confirming the timeline.
• More than just decor: Planners ensure your event runs on time, manage small situations like room temperature, and function as a mediator between you, the vendors, and your guests.
• Guest experience: Full-service planners ensure your guests have a memorable experience, brainstorming interactive moments to keep guests entertained while you take photographs, managing RSVPs, and delivering welcome bags to guests' hotel rooms.
• Pre-wedding festivities: With the rise of wedding weekends and destination weddings, full-service planners may also be tapped to help create bridal showers and rehearsal dinners.
• Teamwork: Truly full-service planners arrive onsite with an entire team, with staff dedicated to specific areas of expertise like food and beverage, service, decor, and transportation.
• Contracts and budgeting: Full-service wedding planners will build the master budget, manage the payment schedule, and negotiate contracts.
• Design and production: Some full-service planners also serve as event designers and producers, conceptualizing the look and feel of your day and bringing the vision to life.
• An ally: Your planner will be a part of your most intimate moments and can help mediate situations between families when it comes to decor choices and menu picks.
• Additional services: Full-service planners may also offer custom wedding websites, travel planning, and tracking guests' flights for an additional fee.
• The little things: Full-service planners go above and beyond, arranging group photos, wake-up calls, and even steaming clothes.

Full-service wedding planning packages include assistance with timeline preparation, creating a checklist, establishing priorities and tracking the budget, venue scouting, vendor recommendations and bookings, creation and execution of a design scheme, managing save-the-dates and invitations, tracking RSVPs, wedding favors and accessories, coordinating accommodations and transportation, procuring welcome bags, etiquette information, general advice and consultation, unlimited meetings, attendance at vendor meetings, confirming details with vendors, facilitating the ceremony rehearsal, unlimited time onsite, directing the ceremony processional, coordinating and assisting with the setup of the ceremony and reception, setup of wedding accessories, coordinating the pinning of boutonnieres and ensuring VIPs receive flowers, acting as the point of contact for all vendors, assisting the family, wedding party, and guests as needed, distributing final payments to vendors, providing an emergency kit, dealing with any unforeseen issues, and coordinating load-out.

Destination wedding planner

Planning a wedding can be a stressful task, especially if it's a destination wedding. A destination wedding planner can help you design your dream wedding and manage all the logistical details.

The cost of a destination wedding planner can vary depending on several factors, and there are different pricing structures. The most common ones include a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the total wedding cost.

A flat fee is usually agreed upon before any services are rendered and can cover advance preparations, day-of services, on-call availability, etc. It is important to lay out and confirm exactly what services will be provided for the agreed-upon rate.

Some destination wedding planners charge an hourly rate, which can be a good option if you plan to take the reins and use their services primarily for consultations. However, this can still work if they are coordinating and conducting follow-ups.

If you choose a planner who charges a percentage of the total wedding cost, you can get an idea of the final cost by knowing your budget and the typical percentage charged. A premium wedding planner who provides event design services might charge a minimum of 20% of your wedding budget, plus additional labour and travel expenses.

Overall, you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars for a smaller wedding and upwards of $5000 for a larger one. An elopement is typically the most affordable option for a destination wedding and can cost less than $1000 for the services of a planner.

When hiring a destination wedding planner, it is important to consider their expertise and connections in the locale of your choice. They should be familiar with the customs, language, and peculiarities of the region and have established contacts or access to resources.

Be sure to discuss the services included in their package and agree on one that suits your requirements and budget.

Month-of wedding planner

Wedding planners can charge in a few different ways: a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the overall wedding bill. The cost of a wedding planner depends on a variety of factors, such as location, services hired, and the type of wedding. The average cost of a wedding planner in 2023 was $2,100, but this can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances.

A month-of wedding planner is a budget-friendly option that can help finalize all the last-minute details and ensure your big day goes off without a hitch. They will typically reach out to your vendors about 30-60 days before the wedding to ensure you are their top priority. They can also schedule set phone calls or allow for emails to answer any questions that may arise.

A month-of coordinator will create a detailed wedding day timeline, incorporating all conversations with vendors and requests from the couple. They will also note any unique wedding day desires, such as a group photo with the couple's alma mater flag or a surprise puppy ring bearer. The timeline provides an overview of the day and creates transparency and direction for all vendors to work together.

In the days leading up to the wedding, the coordinator will also introduce everyone at the rehearsal and facilitate the order of the bridal party's entrance and positioning during the ceremony. They can also assist with setting up decor items and unpacking any last-minute additions before the guests arrive.

On the wedding day, the month-of coordinator will likely arrive with the first vendor, such as the hair and makeup artist. They can check in with the couple, their families, and the wedding party to see how everyone is feeling. They can also collect gratuity envelopes to distribute to vendors and any last-minute decor items. The coordinator can assist the photographer by wrangling family members for photos and ensuring the reception area is set up before guests enter.

At the end of the night, while the guests enjoy the after-party, the month-of coordinator will start packing up items and ensure nothing is left behind or broken. They can also help orchestrate the newlywed's exit, whether it's a sparkler exit, bubbles, or confetti.

Overall, a month-of wedding planner can be an invaluable asset to ensure your wedding day goes smoothly and that you can fully enjoy your special day without any added stress.

Day-of wedding coordinator

Wedding planners can charge in three ways: a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the overall wedding bill. The cost of a wedding planner depends on multiple variables, such as location, services hired, and the type of wedding.

Day-of coordinators typically:

• Manage the wedding timeline
• Attend and coordinate the wedding rehearsal
• Oversee the final walkthrough of the venue
• Ensure all decorative items are in place
• Manage vendors when they arrive
• Ensure everyone is lined up for the ceremony
• Cue the officiant and musicians for key moments
• Coordinate the couple's grand entrance into the reception
• Oversee the breakdown and cleanup of the venue

The cost of a day-of wedding coordinator can vary depending on their responsibilities and the scale of the event. They typically charge a flat fee for their services, which can range from $800 to $3,000. This fee usually includes a set number of hours, with any additional hours charged at an hourly rate.

While a day-of wedding coordinator can be a more affordable option, it is important to consider the level of service and expertise they provide. They may not be as involved in the planning process as a full-time or partial wedding planner and may not be able to offer the same level of guidance and support.

When deciding whether to hire a day-of wedding coordinator, couples should consider the complexity of their wedding plans and the amount of time and energy they are willing to invest in the planning process.

Frequently asked questions