Complete pricing guide for day-of coordinators, partial planners, and full-service wedding planners
A wedding planner is your professional guide through one of life's biggest events. They bring expertise, industry connections, and organizational skills that transform wedding planning from overwhelming to manageable. But what exactly justifies their fees, and how do you know if hiring one makes sense for your situation?
At its core, wedding planning involves hundreds of decisions, dozens of vendor relationships, complex logistics, and a timeline that spans months or even years. Professional planners handle this complexity daily. They know which venues offer the best value, which photographers deliver consistently, and which caterers reliably exceed expectations. This knowledge comes from experience that couples simply cannot replicate on their own.
Beyond vendor selection, planners manage budgets, negotiate contracts, coordinate timelines, troubleshoot problems, and ensure your wedding day runs smoothly. They serve as a buffer between you and the inevitable stresses that arise during planning. When a vendor cancels unexpectedly or weather threatens an outdoor ceremony, your planner handles the crisis while you remain focused on enjoying your engagement.
The scope of services varies dramatically based on what you hire. Understanding these service tiers helps you choose the right level of support for your needs and budget. Not every couple needs full-service planning, but nearly every couple benefits from at least day-of coordination.
The decision to hire a planner often comes down to three factors: time, stress, and expertise. Couples with demanding careers rarely have 200+ hours to dedicate to wedding planning. Those planning destination weddings or events far from home need local expertise. And couples who simply want to enjoy their engagement without drowning in spreadsheets and vendor emails find professional help invaluable.
There's also the money factor that surprises many couples: good planners often save you money. Their vendor relationships and negotiation skills typically reduce total wedding costs by 10-20%. A $3,000 planner fee that saves $5,000 on vendors isn't an expense—it's an investment with measurable returns.
| Service Level | Typical Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Day-of Coordinator | $800 - $1,500 | DIY couples wanting smooth execution |
| Partial Planner | $1,500 - $3,500 | Couples needing guidance plus coordination |
| Full-Service Planner | $3,500 - $10,000+ | Busy couples wanting complete management |
| Luxury/Destination | $10,000 - $25,000+ | High-end or complex destination events |
Understanding the three main service tiers helps you choose the right level of support. Each tier serves different needs and budgets, and the distinctions matter more than many couples realize.
Takes over 4-6 weeks before the wedding to ensure flawless execution.
Guides key decisions while you handle day-to-day details.
Handles every detail from engagement to honeymoon send-off.
Despite the name, day-of coordination actually begins 4-6 weeks before your wedding. During this period, your coordinator reviews every vendor contract, creates a comprehensive timeline, confirms all bookings, and conducts a venue walkthrough. They become the central point of contact for all vendors, freeing you from last-minute logistics.
On the wedding day itself, your coordinator arrives early to oversee setup, manages vendor arrivals, keeps the timeline on track, handles any issues that arise, and ensures the event flows seamlessly. They're the ones making sure the florist knows which tables get centerpieces and the DJ knows when to start the first dance.
Day-of coordination works best for organized couples who enjoy the planning process but want professional execution. If you've already booked your vendors and feel confident in your choices, day-of coordination provides peace of mind without the higher cost of full planning services.
Partial planning bridges the gap between DIY and full-service. Your planner provides guidance on major decisions—venue selection, vendor recommendations, budget allocation—while you handle the day-to-day details. This tier typically includes monthly check-in meetings, email support for questions, and all day-of coordination services.
The partial planning model works well for couples who want expert advice without surrendering control. You might use your planner's vendor recommendations but handle communications yourself. Or you might outsource floral decisions entirely while managing your own invitation process. The flexibility makes partial planning popular among couples with moderate budgets.
Expect your partial planner to provide a curated vendor list, review contracts before you sign, help you stay within budget, and offer design direction. They won't attend every vendor meeting or manage every detail, but they'll ensure you're making informed decisions throughout the process.
Full-service planning is exactly what it sounds like: your planner handles everything. From the first venue tour to the final vendor tip, they manage every aspect of your wedding. This comprehensive approach works best for busy professionals, couples planning from a distance, or anyone who simply wants to enjoy their engagement without the stress of coordination.
Your full-service planner becomes your wedding expert, advocate, and project manager. They research and recommend vendors based on your style and budget, attend all major appointments, negotiate contracts, manage payments and timelines, and handle every detail of design and logistics. You make the decisions; they execute them flawlessly.
The higher cost reflects the significant time investment—expect your planner to dedicate 100-200+ hours to your wedding over the planning period. For couples whose time is valuable or who want a truly stress-free planning experience, full-service planning delivers exceptional value despite the higher price point.
Full-service planners often negotiate vendor discounts that offset a significant portion of their fee. A planner who saves you 15% on a $30,000 vendor budget has essentially reduced their effective cost by $4,500. Factor these savings into your cost-benefit analysis.
Wedding planner pricing isn't arbitrary—it reflects real factors that determine how much time and expertise your wedding requires. Understanding these factors helps you budget accurately and evaluate quotes fairly.
Location is perhaps the biggest pricing factor. A full-service planner in Manhattan might charge $15,000-$25,000, while the same service level costs $4,000-$8,000 in the Midwest. This reflects both the local cost of living and the complexity of planning in different markets. Major metropolitan areas have more vendor options but also more competition for popular venues and dates.
Regional pricing differences for wedding planners generally mirror overall wedding cost variations by location. Expect to pay 50-100% more in high-cost markets like New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston compared to national averages.
A 50-person wedding requires significantly less coordination than a 250-person celebration. More guests mean more catering logistics, more seating arrangements, more rental equipment, and more potential problems to manage. Many planners adjust their fees based on guest count, with increases for weddings over 100-150 guests.
Complexity beyond headcount also matters. Multi-day weddings, events with multiple venues, and celebrations requiring significant travel add to planner workloads. Destination weddings typically cost 20-50% more to plan due to remote vendor management and site visits.
Like any professional service, experience commands premium pricing. A planner with 10+ years of experience, a portfolio of stunning weddings, and glowing testimonials can charge significantly more than someone building their business. This premium reflects genuine value—experienced planners have deeper vendor relationships, better problem-solving skills, and more refined processes.
However, newer planners can offer excellent value. Many bring years of industry experience from previous roles and charge lower rates while establishing their planning businesses. Look beyond years in business to evaluate actual qualifications and portfolio quality.
Some planners, particularly for full-service work, charge a percentage of your total wedding budget rather than a flat fee. Typical percentages range from 10-20% of total wedding costs. For a $50,000 wedding, this means planning fees of $5,000-$10,000.
Percentage pricing aligns planner incentives with larger, more complex weddings but can become expensive for high-budget celebrations. Most couples prefer flat-fee arrangements for budget predictability, though percentage models remain common in luxury markets.
Knowing exactly what you're paying for helps you compare quotes accurately and avoid surprises. Here's a detailed breakdown of typical inclusions at each service level.
Not every wedding needs a professional planner. Understanding when professional help adds genuine value helps you allocate your budget wisely.
Even DIY couples should seriously consider at least day-of coordination. The $800-1,500 investment ensures you and your family can enjoy the wedding day rather than troubleshooting vendor issues and managing timelines. Many couples who skip coordination entirely later say it was their biggest regret.
Many budget-conscious couples find success with a hybrid approach: DIY planning with periodic planner consultations. Some planners offer hourly consulting at $75-150 per hour, allowing you to tap into expertise for specific challenges without committing to a full planning package.
Choosing the right planner matters as much as choosing the right service level. Here's how to identify great planners and avoid problematic ones.
Wedding planner costs vary significantly by service level. Day-of coordinators average $800-$1,500, partial planners range from $1,500-$3,500, and full-service planners typically charge $3,500-$10,000 or more. Location, wedding size, and planner experience also affect pricing. Most couples spend between $1,500 and $5,000 for professional planning help.
For most couples, hiring a wedding planner provides significant value. Planners often save couples 10-20% on vendor costs through industry relationships and negotiation skills. They also save hundreds of hours of research and coordination time, reduce stress, and prevent costly mistakes. Couples who work full-time or are planning from a distance especially benefit from professional planning assistance.
A day-of coordinator takes over 4-6 weeks before the wedding to review vendor contracts, create a timeline, and manage the wedding day itself. They cost $800-$1,500. A full-service planner handles everything from engagement to honeymoon departure—venue selection, vendor hiring, budget management, design, and day-of coordination. Full-service planners cost $3,500-$10,000+ but handle every planning detail.
Hire a full-service planner immediately after engagement, ideally 12-18 months before your wedding. For partial planning, book 9-12 months out. Day-of coordinators should be secured 6-8 months in advance, even though their intensive work begins 4-6 weeks before the wedding. Popular planners book up quickly, so earlier is always better.
Wedding planners use three main pricing models: flat fees (most common), percentage of total budget (typically 10-20% for full service), or hourly rates ($50-$150 per hour). Flat fees provide budget certainty and are preferred by most couples. Percentage-based pricing aligns planner incentives with larger weddings but can become expensive. Always clarify pricing structure and what's included before signing a contract.
Now that you understand wedding planner costs, calculate how planning fees fit into your overall wedding budget.