Before hiring a professional to orchestrate the most important day of their lives, many couples wonder what the right wedding planner fee is for their wedding. Understanding the pricing structure, the different possible packages, and the factors that influence the cost of such a service is essential to make an informed choice.

Whether you are thinking of a full turnkey service, day-of coordination, or just occasional support, this article offers a detailed comparative guide to approach these expenses with confidence. In the following lines you will discover the advantages, limitations, and price variations depending on the type of service, location, and the professional’s experience. Essential insight to align your desires with your budget with confidence.

Understanding wedding planner fees

Engaged couples often want to understand how much a wedding planner actually costs. In France, full-service packages range from €3,500–€6,500. This amount can reach €10,000 for high-end weddings. Partial planning typically ranges from €1,000–€3,000, with a common level around €1,900. Day-of coordination is the most economical option: between €500 and €3,000, generally located between €1,500 and €1,800.

The price for a wedding planner for 50 guests usually falls between €2,500 and €4,000, while the price for a wedding planner for 100 guests varies from €3,500 to €6,000. These differences are explained by the complexity of the wedding, the professional’s experience, and the region. Low-cost wedding planner packages start at €800. Luxury services regularly exceed €10,000.

This initial pricing overview helps to better understand the different business models in practice. Wedding planners offer two main pricing categories that directly affect the cost of organising the wedding. To clarify these models, the following advantages and disadvantages provide concrete reference points.

Advantages of a fixed fee

Here are the main strengths to keep in mind:

• Complete budget predictability with amounts defined in advance
• Three levels generally offered: Essential (€2,500–€3,500), Comfort (€4,500–€6,500), Luxury (from €9,000)
• Full transparency with no financial surprises during the project, making it easier to produce an accurate wedding planner quote

Disadvantages of a fixed fee

Points to watch:

• Less flexibility if needs evolve during preparation
• Risk of paying for wedding planner services that are not actually used

Advantages of a percentage (8–20% of the total budget)

What to know about this approach:

• Automatically adapts to the actual scale of the wedding
• Minimum often set between €4,000 and €5,000 for a fully bespoke planning service

Disadvantages of the percentage model

Aspects to monitor before agreeing:

• For a €50,000 wedding, the wedding planner fees can reach €10,000
• Possible conflict of interest with commissions from vendors

Beyond fixed fees and percentages, some independent professionals charge by the hour or by the day. Hourly rates vary between €75 and €150 for specific consultation sessions to help organise a wedding.

A wedding consultant’s daily rate is around €350 excl. VAT. Experience strongly influences these amounts: a junior (less than 3 years) starts at €1,500 for a full wedding planner service. A mid-level planner (3 to 10 years) charges between €2,000 and €3,000. An expert (more than 10 years) exceeds €3,000, which explains why wedding planner salaries vary considerably depending on expertise.

These variations reflect the level of expertise, the vendor network, and the ability to manage complex weddings. A typical wedding planner quote generally includes wedding planning, meeting fees, and coordination.

Geographic differences significantly impact wedding planner prices depending on your location. To find a wedding planner near me, it’s essential to understand these regional differences:

• Paris, Provence, Côte d’Azur: the most expensive areas with an average wedding planner cost starting at €7,250 and potentially exceeding €20,000 for luxury services. agency wedding planner prices in these regions reflect the high standard of the services
• Loire Valley, Occitanie, Nouvelle-Aquitaine: intermediate prices between €4,000 and €10,000 depending on the level of service, with wedding planner packages suited to every budget
• Rural areas (Dordogne for example): more affordable with €3,500 to €5,500 for 150 guests, up to €6,500 beyond 200 guests. The wedding planner rate remains competitive
• Price gap: 20–30% difference between Paris/Côte d’Azur and the countryside, justified by cost of living and local supplier prices

These differences set the framework for a realistic comparison of local offers.

To understand what a wedding planner does and justify these wedding planning fees, note that professional wedding planner training typically requires between six months and two years of specialised study. All-inclusive wedding planner packages generally include design, coordination, and post-wedding follow-up. Some professionals, such as Elodie, may offer personalised rate schedules according to your specific needs.

In this logic, several concrete parameters come into play to explain price differences.

What factors influence the cost of a wedding planner?

Elements that influence the price (venue, guests, duration, services)

Several variables directly determine the final wedding planner price. The wedding venue is a major factor: large cities like Paris show wedding planner fees between €8,000 and €20,000 for full organisation, compared with €3,500 to €5,500 in rural regions for 150 guests. The number of attendees significantly alters the workload. A wedding for 200 guests in Dordogne requires a wedding planner budget of €4,500 to €6,500, while a wedding planner price for 100 guests generally ranges between €3,000 and €4,500. For more intimate ceremonies, the wedding planner price for 50 guests starts at €2,500. The duration of support also varies: a simple day-of coordination costs between €600 and €2,500, while full wedding planning spans several months.

The professional’s experience, whether it is Elodie (whose rates vary by service) or other experts, and their vendor network justify price gaps. The high season, from May to October, drives prices up due to increased demand.

Services included within packages

Wedding planner packages include different service levels depending on your specific needs. What does a wedding planner actually do? Here are the main services:

• Searching for and selecting vendors: florists, caterers, photographers adapted to your budget
• Complete budget management: creating a realistic financial plan with expense tracking and assistance in organising the wedding
• Developing the schedule: deadlines, appointments, coordination among all participants
• Day-of coordination: welcoming vendors, managing unforeseen events, ensuring the planned timing is respected
• Decoration advice: creating the visual concept, personalised staging according to your tastes
• Organisation of ancillary events: bachelorette/bachelor party, post-wedding brunch included in some wedding planner packages
• Personalised support: advice on aesthetics, protocol, and all aspects of bespoke wedding planning

Comparison of packages (full planning, day-of coordination, consulting)

Each all-inclusive wedding planner package meets distinct expectations with adapted pricing. Full planning covers the entire project: vendor selection, negotiation, budget management, scheduling, and day-of supervision. Wedding planner fees range from €3,500 to €6,500 in the provinces for 150–200 guests, up to €15,000 in Paris for a luxury wedding.

The average cost of a wedding planner for this package represents about 10% of the total wedding budget. Day-of coordination is suitable for couples who are autonomous and only want to delegate the final logistics. Count on €1,400 for two coordinators for a full day, up to €5,000 in Paris.

Consulting services billed hourly are aimed at independent organisers seeking occasional support. A monthly subscription at €120 offers two phone check-ins, recommendations, and contacts. These partial packages can reach €4,000 as a flat fee in Paris.

A sample wedding planner quote typically details these different options transparently.

Differences between an independent wedding planner and an agency

An independent wedding planner is a professional working alone or as a micro-entrepreneur, offering personalised support with a flexible wedding planner rate ranging from €1,700 to €4,000 depending on the chosen package. To find a wedding planner near me, specialised platforms list these professionals by region.

Independents provide a close relationship with the couple and often represent the most accessible low-cost wedding planner option. They tailor each piece of advice to the couple’s specific wishes. Their light structure allows simplified administration and a personalised wedding planner quote. Support can extend over several months, even more than a year. Rates remain variable depending on experience and reputation. Some professionals who have completed certified wedding planner training can justify higher fees thanks to recognised expertise.

A specialised agency employs several team members and offers more expensive all-inclusive packages, justified by a complete infrastructure and extended resources. An agency’s fixed-price wedding planner packages generally offer more guarantees.

Agencies provide a turnkey service requiring less involvement from the couple, ideal for those asking how much a wedding planner costs for a full-service package. Their multidisciplinary teams handle several aspects of the wedding simultaneously. An established reputation reassures couples about full coverage. Standardised packages simplify the choice but limit customisation. The salaries of agency employees are reflected in the higher wedding organisation costs, justifying this organisational scale.

Once the type of support is defined, the next step is to examine the price proposals methodically.

How to analyse wedding planner quotes

How to request and compare several quotes

Analysing the fees of a wedding planner begins with a methodical approach to collecting quotes. The cost of organising a wedding varies according to many factors that should be identified from the first contact.

1. Write a detailed email including your names and the wedding date. Specify the venue if it has already been chosen and the expected number of guests. This baseline allows the professional to provide a first estimate of wedding planner fees adapted to your event.
2. Specify the scope of services desired. Full planning or day-of coordination? Your expectations in terms of style and atmosphere directly influence the fee. Mention any specific needs to obtain a personalised wedding planner quote.
3. Ask for confirmation of availability on your date. Indicate your preferences for further contact: phone or video conference. This step ensures personalised proposals with the available packages.
4. Create a comparison table grouping all elements: total price, services included, additional options, cancellation conditions, payment terms. This document will become your primary tool to compare wedding planner fees.
5. Arrange interviews with the shortlisted candidates. Listening skills, responsiveness, and vendor network matter as much as the wedding planner’s price. The human chemistry often guides the final decision after objective analysis.

These preliminary exchanges lay the foundations for an objective comparison.

Questions to ask to fully understand a quote

Once several proposals have been collected, the next step is to decipher each wedding planner quote in depth. Which wedding planner services are exactly included? Full planning, day-of coordination, vendor selection, decoration, and logistics require a precise clarification of the proposed wedding planner package.

Excluded services deserve equal attention: travel expenses, number of meetings, and overtime can significantly alter the final wedding planner budget.

The payment schedule and cancellation conditions determine your financial commitment. How does the wedding consultant handle unexpected events or force majeure? Their availability on your date and the absence of other nearby events guarantee their full attention.

Coordination with your venue and knowledge of its specific constraints reveal their professionalism. For a wedding planner price for 50 guests or for 100 guests, the terms can vary considerably.

Potential hidden or additional costs

Initial quotes do not always reveal the full set of expenses to anticipate for your wedding planner, even when it is a low-cost option.

• Travel and accommodation expenses: some professionals charge these costs separately for bespoke wedding planning, especially if they come from afar or work late
  • Ask explicitly whether these are included in the quote
  • Check also for any accompanying team members
• Overtime: delays or last-minute needs generate extra costs beyond the initial planning fee
  • A clear clause in the contract avoids surprises
  • Plan a budget buffer of about 10%
• Day-of supervisory staff: a full team costs more than a single operator
  • Check how many people are included in the wedding planner service
  • Clarify their respective roles
• Corkage fees at the venue: these specific fees may be omitted from the initial wedding planner quote
• Stationery and postage: invitations and thank-you cards often represent an underestimated portion of the budget
• Administrative or banking fees: some vendors add processing fees, notably for international payments, increasing the average cost of the wedding planner

By anticipating these items, you secure your overall budget.

Saving with or without a wedding planner: cost/benefit evaluation

The decision to hire a professional requires a full analysis to determine how much a wedding planner costs compared with the real benefits. Agency fees usually represent 8–15% of the total budget. For day-of coordination, the assistance costs about €1,725; a partial organisation costs €2,500; a full, all-inclusive wedding planner service reaches €4,250.

These rates vary according to experience: Elodie (wedding planner) offers different prices depending on the chosen package. Potential savings often offset these fees: professionals negotiate discounts of 10–20% through their networks. One couple saved €1,200 on a €15,000 budget thanks to their wedding planner’s negotiations. The savings often cover the consultant’s fee, especially on mid to high budgets.

Time saved and reduced stress provide additional value that is hard to quantify. Planning errors without support can lead to significant extra costs: cancellations, unreliable vendors, logistical oversights.

To find a wedding planner near you, consult professional directories and request several quotes. It is important to understand exactly what a wedding planner does and to check their wedding planner training to ensure a quality service. The salary of an independent wedding planner also influences their rates, with variations depending on experience and region.

Finally, choose the right partner based on your budget and style.

Choosing your provider

Guide to choosing a wedding planner according to your budget

Selecting a wedding planner that fits your means requires a thorough analysis of available wedding planner prices on the market. First define your wedding planner budget according to your financial capacity. Entry-level packages start at €1,500 for simple day-of coordination, ideal for an affordable but effective wedding planner. Between €2,500 and €6,000, you get mid-range wedding planning including partial or full organisation. High-end wedding planner fees range between €6,000 and €10,000 with extensive customisation. Beyond €10,000, bespoke wedding planning enters the luxury segment with all-inclusive services.

Always check what a wedding planner does in each package: detailed schedule, vendor selection, presence on the day. Ask for several sample wedding planner quotes to compare. A transparent wedding consultant will always offer an initial meeting to assess your needs. Look for a wedding planner near you who can adjust their service to your real priorities.

Couples’ testimonials and real budgets

• A couple married in 2022 reports a difficult experience with Elodie (wedding planner) (fee not disclosed): lack of listening, proposals contrary to their wishes, tensions, and budget overruns
• The average-priced wedding planner typically represents 10–20% of the total wedding budget
  • For a €50,000 wedding: the price of a wedding planner for 50 guests ranges between €5,000 and €10,000
• Observed wedding planner packages in France with their planner fees:
  • Day-of coordination: €1,500 to €3,000
  • Partial wedding planning assistance: €3,000 to €6,000
  • Full planning: €5,000 to €12,000 depending on the agency and its pricing
• Geographic variations and associated average costs:
  • Île-de-France, Côte d’Azur, Provence: full services start at €8,000 and can exceed €20,000 for prestigious weddings
  • Other regions: the price for a wedding planner for 100 guests frequently starts around €4,000 to €5,000
• Average budgets including wedding planner services:
  • Standard weddings (100 guests): €20,000 to €30,000 in total
  • Luxury weddings: €80,000 to €150,000 (a wedding planner with a proportional salary may charge €15,000)
  • Very high-end: €150,000 to €400,000
• To train for the profession, a wedding planner in training will discover these current market pricing realities in France

Understanding the elements that make up a wedding planner fee allows you to invest better in organising your wedding in line with your expectations and means. Whether you opt for targeted coordination or full management, the professional’s role goes far beyond simple scheduling: they secure each step, unite vendors, and anticipate the unexpected.

Thanks to the many packages available, from bespoke service to more accessible options, each couple can identify the level of support that suits their event. Hiring an expert also means benefiting from their experience, saving time, limiting mistakes, and often optimising the overall budget. By asking the right questions and comparing offers methodically, engaged couples can choose a trusted partner with total peace of mind.