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One of the first and most important decisions you will have to make after getting engaged is whether to hire a wedding planner. But how much do wedding planners charge, and is it worth the investment?
Wedding planners can be a game-changer for your wedding planning, assisting in a smooth, stress-free, and efficient planning process. Supporting you from your initial wedding ideas to on-the-day concerns. While a wedding planner is ideal for the planning process, there are several factors to consider when deciding if you need a wedding planner.
Questions to consider include: How much time do you have? Where is your wedding located? What type of wedding planning do you need? What is your wedding budget? We’ll break down all the information you need to know about wedding planners to make an informed decision.
Why Hiring a Wedding Planner is Worth the Cost
Wedding planners are experienced event professionals who possess the skills, knowledge, and expertise to host spectacular events. To become a wedding planner, you need to have a certificate. They bring a lot to the table, including all the steps for your wedding process, checklists, timelines, and paperwork, plus insider secrets and connections with venues, designers, and vendors. Additionally, they offer expertise in problem-solving, day coordination, styling, logistics, and guest management. A wedding planner will save you time and, ultimately, costs. Reducing stress by being your ultimate wedding best friend.
Managing Logistics:
Coordinates guest transport, accommodation, venue styling and seating plans. They can arrange wedding favours, welcome bags, or on-the-day stationery.
Managing Vendors:
Acts as the main point of contact for suppliers, confirming schedules, deliveries, and logistics. Solving any problems that arise on the go.
Managing Timelines:
Providing advice, tips, and timelines tailored to every stage of planning and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
Factors That Influence the Price of Wedding Planners
Every wedding planner charges according to their own pricing scheme. Here are a few factors to consider when looking to book a wedding planner.
Wedding size:
Some wedding planners may charge a percentage of the final wedding cost. The more you spend, the more your planner will cost. Typically charging 10-15% of the wedding cost, e.g., if your wedding costs $80,000, a planner will charge $8,000-$12,000. Some planners charge by the hour, while others charge a flat fee. A bigger wedding will typically include more work for a wedding planner. The more time and resources invested, the greater the final cost.
Experience:
Experienced wedding planners will cost more. Experienced wedding planners are in high demand due to their wealth of knowledge, connections, and experience; they easily adapt to change, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Complexities:
There are many wedding services a planner can provide. A full wedding package will cost more, as it encompasses a range of offerings and support throughout the wedding planning process, including scouting, styling, florals and coordination. The cost of a wedding planner will change for partial and on-the-day packages.
Wedding planners can offer styling services with custom-made features; this will also increase the cost. The timeframe you book your wedding planner also matters. Last-minute wedding planner bookings may incur a higher rate. Booking the right vendors becomes increasingly difficult at the last minute. Additionally, extra hours worked outside the planning scope may incur a charge.
Types of Wedding Planners and Their Pricing Models
Every couple and wedding is unique. Thus, the type of support needed will vary. Wedding planners offer different wedding services and wedding packages to cater to your personal wedding needs and budget.
Types of Wedding Planner Services include:
Full-Service Planning:
An end-to-end wedding planning service. From your initial wedding concept to post-wedding loose ends. A full-service wedding package includes budget management, tracking, and scheduling. Venue selection, supplier sourcing and hiring vendors. Wedding theme selection, styling, and florals. Your planner will serve as the primary point of contact for all communication leading up to and on the day of the wedding. Handle logistics, including transportation, seating arrangements, and invitations.
Cost: Flat fees starting from $10,000*
Partial planning:
A smaller wedding planning package offering a set timing period or hours in the wedding planning process. Partial wedding planning packages typically begin a few months before the wedding day. These services almost always include the day of services.
Cost: Flat fees starting from $3,000*
Day-Of-Coordination:
Coordination for your wedding day: from the moment you wake up on your wedding morning, there will be a created timeline for your wedding. Your wedding coordinator will serve as the point of contact to manage all suppliers and vendors. The day of the coordinator package will address last-minute hiccups, coordinate logistics and guests, and manage setup and pack-down.
Cost: Flat fees starting from $1,500*
Note: Wedding planners can charge flat fees, percentage-based pricing (a percentage of the total wedding budget), and hourly rates.
*Estimated Sydney, Australia rates
Average Wedding Planners Charge by Region
Based on the city where you live, the price of your wedding planner may differ. Weddings are typically more expensive in larger cities. Larger cities have higher prices due to being in higher demand and offering more premium services. In larger cities, such as Sydney, the cost of living is higher, and weddings are in greater demand; wedding styles also tend to be more elaborate. Regional cities will have moderate prices due to the limited availability of luxury services. Rural areas will have lower rates with limited planner options and reduced competition. Rural wedding styles are typically smaller.
Average Wedding Planners Prices in Australia
Based on the city where you live, the price of your wedding planner may differ. Weddings are typically more expensive in larger cities. Larger cities have higher prices due to being in higher demand and offering more premium services. In larger cities, such as Sydney, the cost of living is higher, and weddings are in greater demand; wedding styles also tend to be more elaborate. Regional cities will have moderate prices due to the limited availability of luxury services. Rural areas will have lower rates with limited planner options and reduced competition. Rural wedding styles are typically smaller.
| Sydney | $4,500 |
| Melbourne | $2,200 |
| Brisbane | $1,800 |
| Canberra | $2,200 |
| Perth | $1,800 |
| Darwin | $1,800 |
| Hobart | $1,600 |
| Adelaide | $1,800 |
What’s Included in Wedding Planners’ Costs?
A wedding planner can be a complete end-to-end solution for your event. Every wedding planner’s package will vary slightly.
You can expect a complete service to include:
- Assistance with finding and booking external suppliers for photography, videography, cake, invitations, non-floral centrepieces, tableware, flooring, draping, etc.
- Sourcing and presenting a series of quotes to evaluate pricing and offerings from various companies.
- Vision, mood board, colour palettes and custom designs. Documents to present a series of themes for room layout, floral styling, prop design, tableware, styling & design sessions.
- Meeting with suppliers on your behalf to revise the brief and ensure the vision is in alignment with projected outcomes.
- Bump-in/out schedules, run sheets, and contact lists were issued to all suppliers to help them develop a clear understanding of the vision and overall look to be achieved.
- Wedding day coordination. Dedicated staff members and being the point of call throughout the entire planning process.
- Total vendor management throughout the process of planning and on the day of the wedding.
- Sample of floral arrangements.
- Site visits to the venue and other significant venues to guide styling consultations visually.
- Assistance to couples when liaising and working with venue coordinators to effectively manage styling aspects of your reception.
- Assistance in planning, styling and coordinating events leading up to the wedding (e.g. kitchen tea, pre-wedding, hens, etc.).
When reviewing a wedding planner, request a breakdown of what their package includes and what is not included.
Request to see their past work and sample timelines to ensure they align with your vision and personality for ease of communication.
Additional Costs to Consider When Hiring a Wedding Planner
Additional fees may be incurred for travel, accommodation, extra planning hours, last-minute changes, multiple events, or special requests, such as custom designs.
Have an initial consultation with your potential wedding planner, and be upfront about your budget. Make a list of all the necessary questions and items you will need. Don’t be afraid to ask what would incur an additional cost. Note it all down and keep a record to refer back to.
Your wedding planner will know how to manage your allocated budget while creating your personal wedding vision. During your consultation, you will discuss your vision and gain insight into the wedding planner’s approach. Make sure your planner aligns with your vision and personality.
How to Choose a Wedding Planner That Fits Your Budget?
Begin by understanding your budget and wedding priorities. You don’t know where to start? If you have a large budget or are not worried about costs, a wedding planner can help. Alternatively, get some more information on how much weddings cost and how to plan a wedding with our resources.
Review wedding planner portfolios, including their pricing schemes, package customisability, and add-on options. Have a consultation to ensure that it aligns with what you’re looking for.
You can negotiate with your wedding planner on pricing and discuss how they can help bring the cost of your wedding down.
Wedding planners will know where to cut the budget and how to save in particular aspects. Plus, they’ll get special discounts from suppliers and vendors, saving you money in the long run.
Which service is right for you? Consider the following:
- Small wedding or elopement: A “day-of” or partial package may be enough.
- Multiple locations, large guest list, DIY or elaborate designs: You may need a full-service planning package.
Understand Wedding Planner Costs and Start Planning Your Dream Wedding
A wedding planner is very useful in managing all aspects of your wedding, from ensuring you stay within your budget to ensuring your wedding day runs smoothly. Knowing the cost of a wedding planner is vital for making an informed decision and managing your wedding budget effectively. By researching costs upfront, you stay in control of both your wedding day vision and finances.
Ready to find your perfect wedding planner? Book a consultation with Melissa D’Cruz and Lux By Navarra, with over 25 years of experience and known for bringing exquisite weddings to life. Ensure your big day is seamlessly and beautifully managed with the right wedding planner; it will make all the difference.
