Breakdown Of Wedding Planner Cost – Is It Worth It?

Now that you have that stunning engagement ring on your finger, it’s time to slowly dip your toes into the world of wedding planning. For some, organising one and handling all the logistics behind it comes off as a natural talent. Alternatively, others may require a helping hand. Nevertheless planning a wedding is an exhilarating task, though, at times, it can seem rather complex and off-putting.

As wedding planners, we know how quickly things can take a turn. Mainly, many couples take on the decision to organise the celebration themselves, thinking that the only thing they need to have is a vision in mind. While the sentiment is true, weddings are actually a lot more than that and typically involve a lot of logistical issues behind them that are quite easy to overlook. However, remember that planners are trained to overcome any challenges that might arise and can ensure that everything goes according to plan – every step of the way. But, before you do decide to hire one, there are two things you need to check – whether you actually need one, and, if you decide on using their services – to oversee the wedding planner’s cost.

Before you dive head-on into planning, you need to set up a well-planned budget. You wouldn’t believe how fast you can go over the limit since, most of the time, the dream wedding can cost a pretty penny. For that reason, it’s vital that you establish how much money you are prepared to pay for each vendor. Not to be biased, but we strongly recommend that you consider hiring a wedding planner for your special day, as they can make the whole experience stress-free. In addition, planners usually tend to have a lot of connections with all kinds of vendors, so not only will they give you plenty of suggestions, but you might even snag some discounts as well! Most importantly, they’ll take care of your finances, ensure you don’t exceed your budget, and get the best deal possible. Due to the versatility of their services, the wedding planner cost may not be fixed – that brings us to our next point.

Naturally, the first thing you’d want to know is how much does a wedding planner cost. Although the answer always varies depending on the location and type of services, according to numerous research, an average wedding planner costs around 1,800 – 5.000 euros .

Still, keep in mind that not all celebrations require the same assistance, therefore, the price is almost always flexible.

Additionally, you’ll find that some wedding planners have “tiers” of service. For instance, you may only need some help just with the day-of operations, resulting in a much smaller fee. Alternatively, if your wedding planner oversees your entire wedding from start to finish, you’ll be getting full service which is the most expensive option. Nonetheless, we are well aware that all celebrations are one-of-a-kind. That’s why, at EvenTous, we strive to provide a fully tailored experience so that you get the wedding exactly as you’ve always pictured it.

Coordinator Vs. Planner – What’s The Difference?

Quite commonly, people tend to get these two terms confused, thinking that it’s exactly the same thing. Well, that couldn’t be more wrong!

Wedding coordinators offer assistance on the day of the celebration, and they ensure everything is set up in place. They typically aren’t involved with the planning process at all – they just handle the coordination of it all. Usually, most venues have an on-site coordinator, but you can choose anyone you trust. Since the services of a coordinator are much less complex compared to its counterpart, the cost for them can go up to a few hundred dollars.

Alternatively, wedding planners are with you from step one. They help establish the budget, find the perfect venue and the most ethereal aesthetic, handle all of the operations surrounding the celebration, and so much more! In addition, they make sure that everything goes to plan on the day of and handle anything unpleasant that may come by. Finally, they are with you until the very end, so know that you’ll be in safe hands every minute of it.

But, depending on the wedding planner services and packages, the cost can get pretty pricy. In order to avoid any last-minute surprises, have a detailed interview about what is covered in their price. That said, a coordinator would be a perfect fit if you have a tight budget and don’t require too much assistance. On the other hand, planners are ideal for couples who want to get the most out of their experience without all the stress that comes along with the process. Additionally, be prepared to allocate 10-15% of your budget to the wedding planner’s cost, as that’s the most typical rate.

Reasons To Hire A Wedding Planner

As we’ve mentioned before, wedding planners offer the utmost assistance to all aspects of the planning process. Typically, this comes in the form of saving you time and money. Instead of spending hours of mindless vendor-searching and spending a fortune for the same, a planner will do all of that for you professionally and more efficiently.

Furthermore, there are a few amenities that they can offer, which can ultimately drive up the wedding planner cost. For instance, organising a destination wedding usually requires a lot more planning compared to a regular one, which can result in a higher fee. Moreover, you may decide on having some pre-wedding festivities, like bridal parties or rehearsal dinners. As you can imagine, they can set up all of this for you but at a higher expense. Simply put, follow it as a rule of thumb – the more services you require, the more wedding planner fees will increase. Nevertheless, deciding to hire one will prove the smartest time as they can allow you to take pleasure in the planning process, which can sometimes be quite overwhelming.

We hope that we’ve provided insight into what goes into wedding planner costs. As previously mentioned, the fees will vary depending on your needs, so make sure to have a clear vision in mind. In the meantime, consider reading the rest of our blogs.

Written by Anna Koumiotaki
Owner & Founder of Eventous Weddings & Events (eventous.gr)
Photo Credits: Jason Kenanoglou (Instagram: @jasonkenanoglou)

What should I do next?

Start researching elopement planners that specialise at your chosen wedding location, or consult specialists such WeddingsAbroad.com –  who have travelled the world extensively not only planning weddings but working with hotels/resorts/tourism boards advising them on their destination wedding portfolio.  They now have an impressive directory of vendors worldwide to start you on your exciting destination wedding planning journey.
Don’t forget to discuss with other brides and grooms going through the same experience on our dedicated group facebook.com/groups/weddingsabroad/