How much does a wedding planner generally cost?

I am interested in having wedding planner, but I am unsure if I can afford it. I don’t want to get ripped off either. Does anyone know how much wedding planners generally cost?

cost, generally, much, Planner, Wedding

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This entry was posted by Corry on May 1, 2010 at 12:07 pm, and is filed under Wedding Planning. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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Comments (10)

#1 written by basketcase88
about 1 year ago

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I work as a bridal consultant in a bridal store, and see planners all the time, and know several. Most planners operate a few different ways. What they charge is really based on what you want them to do. If all you want is someone there on the day of the wedding, accepting deliveries of flowers, linen rentals, cake, caterers, etc., that will be one charge. Most planners do offer some form of a “day of” service that they will charge a flat rate for. But, if you’re wanting a planner to meet with you, help you coordinate your look with bridesmaids, go to dress fittings, cake tastings, caterer tastings, coordinate flowers, lighting, dj, etc., then most planners will charge a percentage of the total amount spent on the wedding. The amounts they charge are also based on the amount of experience they have in the industry, but that’s not saying that someone who’s done this for years and years is going to be cost prohibitive. Location also pays a key role in what they charge–a planner in NYC is going to cost a heck of alot more for the same exact service than one in Laramie, WY.

What I would do if I were you is look at a few planners. Attend bridal shows/fairs, they’re always at those. Ask around with friends who have recently married, if they used someone and if so, who. Do a yellow pages search for wedding planners/coordinators and see what turns up. I would expect most decent planners would start their fees at around $1000 in most parts of the country, but maybe not quite that much. It really depends.

Good luck!
#2 written by Mrs. Cullen
about 1 year ago

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it depends but they start around $2000
#3 written by Muffin
about 1 year ago

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I think it depends on how much they do and where you live, but I looked into some and they GENERALLY charge about 10% of your budget. With that in mind MOST I looked at also charged a flat fees for some things instead. Some also charge hourly rates (so that could be good or bad for your budget depending on what you need)

As a rule there is a minimum charge like $1000 or 10% of the budget, whichever is more (so if your budget is less than $10,000 you still pay at least $1000).

Some offer services where you pay for just “wedding day help” and that’s like $500.

But again, depending on their experience, the area you live in, what you expect of them, it all depends. Those are just some examples of what some might charge.
#4 written by joy 25
about 1 year ago

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You can check on the knot.com but it really depends and also on your budget and what u want them to do! If you use them for the total process of planning the wedding!
#5 written by ceria902
about 1 year ago

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well I’m a wedding planner in my price start at $300.00.
some planner charge an arm and a leg but not because The couple has to live after the wedding. Please shop around.
#6 written by Shonta G
about 1 year ago

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Depends on what they have to do .Some planners plan the whole wedding while some help give advise shop around and get the best price
#7 written by Desipm
about 1 year ago

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Check this website if you want to: http://weddingkits.org/, http://beautykits.org/
#8 written by Andi J
about 1 year ago

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I am an event coordinator and I have a few tips on choosing the best wedding planner. Cost is definitely a factor, but you should not rule out a good planner due to cost. A rule of thumb is that he/she should charge no more than 15-20% of your budget. Depending on the area that you live in, you may be able to get away with a planner charging 10% of your budget. If a planner is charging a flat rate, he or she will base this off of the number of hours they will need to plan your wedding. For full service, plan on an average of 80 hours. For example, if a planner is charging $25 per hour, expect to pay $2,000. If your wedding is going to be more extensive, very original, or during peak season, expect to may a higher dollar amount per hour. If the planner has to travel, expect to pay mileage and gas fees for him/her and their staff. If you need extra assistance, plan on paying overtime. This should all be explained during the initial consultation (which is usually free) and spelled out in detail in the contract.

I would not recommend choosing planners who base their prices off of your budget. I would recommend planners who base their prices off of the actual job. Just because you have a budget of $50,000 does not mean that he/she will need to put in $10,000 worth of work. Each wedding is different, so the cost of planning each wedding should be different as well.

Most planners offer free initial consultations. He/she will use this time to get a feel for what services you need from her/him, what your overall budget is/should be, and if you are a good fit. This is also an interview process. You will be working with this person very closely for the next year or more, so you want to make sure that your personalities fit.

If the standard cost of a full service wedding planner in your areas is too high for you, consider using the best planner for day of or partial consulting. I recommend that every bride turn over the reigns on her wedding day to a professional and leave the orchestrating to someone else. Day of prices are usually based on 2 consultations (to get the planner up to speed on what should be happening) and about 8 hours on the day of the wedding. Partial planning is usually about 5 consultations, coordination of the rehearsal dinner and 8 hours on the wedding day. Prices are usually a flat rate, but I still recommend using a planner that bases their prices on the type of the job.
#9 written by Manda
about 1 year ago

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I have no schooling in this area but would love to be a wedding planner. I have tons of ideas and am getting married next year myself. I am my own wedding planner and have a beautiful wedding planned out. I would love to give you ideas if you would give me a chance….free of charge. All I ask is that when we are done you would give me your honest feedback so i can try to get a business started. Please think about it. Email me at love3906@live.com Thank You!!
#10 written by krazy f
about 1 year ago

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