Wedding Planners: How Many Brides Hire Them?

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, so it's no surprise that many couples opt to hire a wedding planner to help them coordinate their big day. In fact, according to a survey, 27% of couples getting married hire a professional wedding/event planner, with day-of planners being the most in-demand choice. The cost of a wedding planner varies depending on factors such as location, experience, and the scope of services provided. On average, a wedding planner can charge anywhere from $1,850 to $2,000, but prices can go as high as $25,000 or more for full-service planners.

When deciding whether to hire a wedding planner, couples should consider their budget, venue, guest count, and how much time they can invest in planning. There are different types of wedding planners to choose from, including full-service planners, month-of coordinators, and day-of coordinators, each offering varying levels of support and expertise.

For those planning a destination wedding, hiring a specialist planner can be especially helpful. Destination wedding planners are usually full-service and act as your local guide and advocate, navigating cultural differences, language barriers, and time zone challenges. They can also provide valuable insights on local laws, permits, and vendor options.

Whether you're planning a local or destination wedding, a good wedding planner will save you time, provide expert guidance, and help bring your dream wedding to life.

How much does a wedding planner cost?

The cost of a wedding planner depends on a multitude of factors. The average cost of a wedding planner in 2023 was $2,100, but this can vary depending on location, the services hired, and the type of wedding. For example, couples who hosted a destination wedding spent more on a planner than those who hosted a hometown wedding ($2,700 vs. $1,900).

There are different types of wedding planners available for hire, each with their own cost range. The most commonly sought-after planners are full-time, partial, month-of, or day-of coordinators. A full-time planner will handle everything from helping you choose your colour palette to finding your perfect wedding venue and overseeing the day-of festivities. Partial wedding planners (also known as à la carte pros) can help with specific tasks such as managing a budget or organising your venue floor plan, and are typically less expensive than full-service planners. Month-of coordinators help finalise last-minute details to ensure your big day goes off without a hitch, while day-of coordinators manage the logistics on the wedding day itself.

According to a survey by The Knot, most couples who worked with a planning pro in 2023 hired a day-of wedding coordinator (36%), followed by a full-service wedding planner (31%). The cost of a wedding planner has been increasing year-on-year due to the current economic climate of high demand and price increases on goods and services.

Wedding planners typically charge in one of three ways: a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the overall wedding bill. The cost of a wedding planner can also depend on their experience and pricing tier. Planners in the "DIY" or "budget" tiers might charge a flat fee of $5,000 to $7,000, while those in the "luxury" market and beyond typically charge a percentage of the total wedding budget, with a minimum budget requirement.

When deciding whether to hire a wedding planner, it's important to consider your budget, venue and location, guest count, and how much time you can invest in planning. Wedding planners can save you time and money, and their industry connections and expertise can help you get the best bang for your buck.

What does a wedding planner do?

Wedding planners are experts in their field, and they use their vast knowledge and extensive contacts to make the process seamless and easy for couples. They can be an invaluable resource and are worth every penny, if not more.

There are several types of wedding planners, but the most popular are full-service wedding planners and month- or day-of wedding coordinators. A wedding planner is someone who plans the entire event, whereas a wedding coordinator focuses on the logistical planning and support of the wedding day.

• Help couples hone in on their wedding vision, including the desired wedding date, size, style, and location.
• Develop a realistic wedding budget and provide solid estimates of how much the desired event would cost.
• Select a wedding venue that aligns with the couple's budget, vision, and size.
• Connect couples with the best wedding vendors, such as caterers, florists, photographers, bands, and DJs, and help secure the best deals.
• Read and vet vendor contracts, using their industry knowledge to advocate for the couple and ensure there are no red flags.
• Serve as an on-location contact for destination weddings, assisting with guest travel, hotel rooms, local customs, and more.
• Plan design elements, such as escort card displays, signage, and florals, sometimes in collaboration with a separate wedding designer.
• Help with wedding etiquette issues and provide support and guidance throughout the engagement.
• Assist with wedding weekend events, such as the rehearsal dinner, next-day brunch, and wedding-morning activities.
• Handle wedding invitation details, from wording and ordering to addressing, mailing, and tracking RSVPs.
• Help with seating charts and floor plans to ensure a smooth flow and comfortable experience for guests.
• Put together a wedding weekend timeline and share it with everyone involved, from vendors to the wedding party and family, so that everyone knows where to be and what to do.
• Coordinate all details with vendors and act as the point person, handling requests and answering questions so that the couple can relax and enjoy their day.
• Manage the wedding-day logistics, including supervising vendors, managing setup and delivery, handling emergencies, and soothing nerves.

In addition to the above, full-service wedding planners also:

• Offer various packages to support the unique requirements of each couple, allowing them to choose which services they need.
• Provide a minute-by-minute timeline of the wedding weekend, ensuring that everyone involved has a clear schedule to follow.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the couple, fielding requests and answering questions from vendors, family members, the wedding party, and guests.

While the services offered by wedding planners can vary, they ultimately aim to save couples time, money, and stress by handling the large number of tasks involved in planning a wedding.

When should you hire a wedding planner?

Hiring a wedding planner can be a huge help, but it's not always necessary. If you're working with a small budget, for example, you may want to allocate your funds elsewhere. It's also not the best use of your money if you're planning a simple ceremony and reception.

That being said, here are some signs that you should hire a wedding planner:

• You have a demanding job and limited time to plan your wedding.
• You're planning a destination wedding. A local wedding planner will be up-to-date on marriage laws, customs, and vendor options in the area.
• Your venue doesn't have its own coordinator. A wedding planner can help select vendors, create a timeline, and manage the many moving parts of your big day.
• You're struggling with your budget. Wedding planners are experts at creating and sticking to budgets.
• You want to be able to relax and enjoy your wedding day. A wedding planner can handle any last-minute emergencies or questions that arise.

If you do decide to hire a wedding planner, it's best to do so as early as possible. This will ensure you get the planner you want and reduce stress as your wedding day approaches.

How to find the right wedding planner?

How to Find the Right Wedding Planner

According to The Knot's 2022 Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding planner is $1,900, which is a national average that depends on numerous factors. For example, if you're planning a destination wedding, your planner will most likely cost more than someone hosting a hometown wedding because of the extra logistics involved.

• Ask your wedding venue for suggestions. Your venue is one of the first things you should book, and venue personnel may know wedding planners they have worked with and loved. Some venues even have an approved vendor list to help you find your planner and other pros. This is perfect for couples who want vendors who are familiar with the venue.
• Ask your loved ones for referrals. Ask friends, family, or coworkers who have recently been married if they can recommend anyone. It's even better if you attended the wedding and enjoyed how the day was executed.
• Search online. Use wedding planning sites like The Knot or social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to find planners. These platforms allow you to get a sense of the planner's personality, work, and how insightful they are.
• Inquire about the planner's communication style. Ask your potential wedding planner about their communication style. It's important to know this so that you can set your expectations and not feel ignored during the planning process. For example, some planners only take on a certain number of weddings a year and have clear office hours and out-of-office dates listed.
• Ensure the planner matches your wedding vision. A wedding planner should be a great listener and have excellent verbal and written communication skills to understand your vision and convey your needs to vendors and other parties. Know your priorities and have a budget so that your planner can set expectations and be honest with you about what is achievable.
• Look for a personal spark. Go for synergy! You want to be sure you're on the same page as your planner and will work well together. Trust your gut and remember that you're relying on this person to pull off one of the most important days of your life.

The most important thing is that you and your planner connect personally and professionally so that the planning process is enjoyable. Don't give up your search until you find someone who shares your values and will make the experience unforgettable (and not stressful)!

Twenty-seven percent of couples getting married hire a professional wedding/event planner, with day-of planners being the most in-demand.

What are the benefits of hiring a wedding planner?

Wedding planning can be a stressful and time-consuming process. Hiring a wedding planner can help make the process much easier and more enjoyable. Here are some of the benefits of hiring a wedding planner:

Save Time and Effort

One of the most popular reasons couples hire a wedding planner is to save valuable time and effort in the planning process and on the wedding day. From choosing the venue to organising suppliers, a wedding planner can take care of all the hard work, allowing you and your partner to focus on other things. Even if you only hire a wedding planner for the day, you'll still benefit from having a professional ensure everything runs smoothly.

Maximise Your Budget

A wedding planner can help you get the most for your money and will crunch numbers and score discounts, getting you the best deals. They have a little black book of contacts and can attain discounts from vendors thanks to their great working relationships. They can also help you avoid costly mistakes. For example, a wedding planner may suggest to the caterer that they include free-flowing champagne and wine for no extra cost, and then choose a cheaper bar option.

Handle Day-of Details

There are lots of little things that can go wrong on a wedding day, from flowers not arriving to last-minute changes in weather conditions. A wedding planner will keep an eye out for potential issues and sort them out in their stride, without you having to worry about a thing.

Recommendations and Reputable Suppliers

If you're new to the wedding industry, the amount of suppliers available can feel overwhelming. A wedding planner will have reliable, trustworthy suppliers on hand that they have worked with before.

Understand Your Vision

If you and your partner have a specific vision for your wedding, it can be difficult to communicate this to suppliers. A wedding planner will work with you, your partner, and your suppliers to ensure your ideal wedding vision is achieved.

Mediation

Wedding planning often comes with lots of (solicited or unsolicited) opinions from loved ones. A wedding planner can act as a third-party voice and mediator to help you navigate tricky situations and conversations.

Frequently asked questions