Condense Your Wedding Weekend Schedule
Is someone offering to pay for a post-wedding brunch? Kindly ask them to instead use their generous gift to pay for your wedding planner. Heres the thing about brunches if your wedding was a hit, your guests are probablynot their best selvesthe morning after your wedding.
Think back to the last wedding you partied hard at. The next day you probably had to pull the car over on the way to brunch to boot on the side of the road next to a morning 5k. Just me?
Sometimes your guests see an open bar and think of it as a challenge, and thats okay. But, before you pour another $5,000+ into a fancy post-wedding brunch, take a hard look at your guest list and consider if your partiers might go for something more casual instead. Or they might just sleep in and youll have to box up 5 pounds of gourmet avocado toast.
If having the typical weekend wedding events are important to you, there are still ways to host a Rehearsal Dinner, Welcome Reception and Brunch and still save enough money in order to swing a wedding planner. For example:
For more tips on how to save money on your wedding and how to reduce the cost of alcohol at your wedding, check out my other blogs!
Tips For Planning Your Wedding Ceremony
Working with a wedding planner can also help alleviate some of the stress of trying to figure out whether or not to have a more formal or informal type of ceremony. The choice also depends on the theme, location, and time of year requested. Some outdoor ceremonies may require extra planning, as well as a backup plan in case of rain or other inclement weather.
Choosing the ceremony style can be a unique challenge, because some couples come from different religious backgrounds or may have different cultures and traditions. This is why it helps to have your wedding planner recommend a great officiant.
How Much Does A Partial Wedding Planner Cost
A partial wedding planner usually comes on board a month or so before the wedding day and assists with last-minute taskshelping with the seating chart, confirming vendors, and day-of responsibilities. The average starting rate for a partial wedding planner in the U.S. comes in at $1,250, but can range from $2,300 to $6,000 if youre working with a more experienced pro.
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Ial Planning & Design
So you know you can handle most of the planning, maybe because you have been in a dozen weddings already, or have been saving tear-outs from Martha Stewart Weddings since the year 2000, but you want someone to step in and check your work. A lot of full-service wedding coordinators and month-of coordinators offer partial-planning packages as well for couples that fall in this boat. These packages are most-often custom, although you will come across coordinators with three-month and six-month options. Extra services can include managing invitations, offering design ideas, securing specialty vendors, assembling favors, handling paperwork, and lots more.
Price Estimates For Different Service Types
Here are a few examples of the type of duties you can expect for different service types.
Day of
- What they offer: Shows up the day of to make sure everything is in place, serves as a point of contact for final payment of vendors, creates seamless operation on the wedding day.
- Hours spent: 8-14
- Cost: $1,000
Month of
- What they offer: works out what their duties will be with the bride and groom. You can have them help with one area, such as rentals, wait staff, entertainment, or other responsibilities that you negotiate.
- Hours spent: 70 on average, but varies
- Cost: $2,500
Full service
- What they offer: helping you pick colours, theme, vision location, and then secure the service contractors to make it happen.
- Hours spent: 140 hours or more
- Cost: $4,200
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Okay How Do I Find A Good Planner
This can be a task unto itself. Given the artistic responsibility that comes with planning a wedding ceremony, finding the right planner really depends on what youre looking for based on your price range. Wed all love to have our wedding planned by Lady Elizabeth Anson, but that simply isnt going to happen, no matter how convinced you are that youre also a cousin to the Queen of England.
Is A Wedding Planner Worth It
Sincerely speaking, a wedding planner is a blessing. I have watched many wedding processes where couples could not afford a planner and tried to wing things. They were stressed out and could not focus on the program because of the many details that were amiss.
In truth, its possible that this disorganization was only because of the extent of the couples commitment to their wedding process or other factors. Whatever the reason, being able to decide how much time you want to spend planning your wedding and still show up looking pretty on your big day is a joy.
Although many people believe in personalized planning or cannot afford wedding planners, they are worth every penny you pay them. Weddings are incredibly pricey, and spending money on coordinators may seem like an unwise thing to do. But they let you focus on the emotional side of things while working passionately to make your big day special for you.
The best part is that wedding planners are usually independent freelancers, so tips arent necessary. But some people decide to tip them because of the great help they prove to be with the entire occasion. Anyway, what do you do if you dont want to hire a wedding planner for whatever reason?
Also Check: Wedding Budget Spreadsheet Google Sheets
Average Wedding Cost By State
Location plays a huge role in pricing, so its no surprise that the average cost varies by state. It also varies by city weddings in urban settings are generally more expensive than those in the suburbs or rural areas.
This graphic from Value Penguin shows the average cost by state. These costs are based on the average wedding size in 2020, which Value Penguin found to be 66. This number also decreased due to COVID-19. The average cost per guest, then, is around $300.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Small Wedding
Some estimates put the average cost of a small wedding as under $10,000. Size matters, so it really depends on what you mean by small wedding.
The average cost per guest mentioned above is around $300, so if you have a wedding for 25 at that price point, your wedding would cost around $7,500. A small wedding of 50 guests at the same cost per head would be $15,000, however.
As always, the cost will depend on various details like location, your venue, and more.
Also Check: Wedding Checklist Google Sheets
How Much Does A Wedding Cost
According to The Knot’s 2019 Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding in the United States came in at $33,900. This doesn’t include the honeymoon, but does include the engagement ring.
However, it doesn’t tell the whole story in terms of how much a wedding is likely to cost couples, as the price tag can vary substantially from state to state as well as based on the type of wedding.
How Much Experience Do You Have
Just like most careers, a wedding planners salary is likely to increase as time goes on and experience is gained. Not only will the opportunities increase more reviews and more contacts equal more business but so will the amount you can charge. Think about it: A wedding planner who got started in the industry six months ago isnt going to be able to charge as much as a planner who has run their own agency for the past 20 years.
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A Perfectly Reasonable Question How Much Does A Uk Wedding Planner Cost And One That As An Experienced Wedding Planner I Am Often Asked
It is universally thought that only those couples getting married who have an above average wedding budget* can afford and benefit from the services of a Wedding Planner.
Not true!
How much does a UK Wedding Planner cost then?
Every wedding planner will charge slightly differently. There are however predominately 3 services offered by most UK Wedding Planners:
- Full Wedding Planning
- Partial Wedding Planning
- Wedding Day Management also known as On the Day Co-ordination
Full Wedding Planning
Most UK Wedding Planners will charge between 10 15% of your total wedding budget spend. With a minimum fee applicable.
Full Wedding Planning leaves no stone unturned. From locating your perfect wedding venue. Sourcing high quality, trusted wedding suppliers.
Organising & attending meetings with wedding florists, professional photographers, caterers, awesome cake designers. As well as make-up and hair trials. To name but a few.
Your Wedding Planner will act as your main point of contactfor every single person involved in your wedding day.
With a lifetime in the events industry Mary Briscoe, proud owner of Weddings By Mary, has experienced weddings from every possible angle. For over 10 years as a wedding venue manager then as a Registrar . A true baptism of fire into weddings for Mary from a young age was working for her mother who ran a highly successful outside catering business. Moving then to her late twenties becoming the blushing bride herself.
Partial Wedding Planning
Top Tip
How Is The Average Cost Of Wedding Planners Calculated
Its pretty simple. The wedding planners cost is based on the overall cost of the wedding. It makes perfect sense that a wedding with a $200,000 budget has a lot more details to coordinate than a wedding thats budgeted for $50,000.
Experts say that couples should set aside 15% of their wedding budget to go towards wedding planning.Of course like any industry, there are bargains if you look for them, and there are high-end professionals well-worth the premium.
Now that you have a better idea of what all of this is going to cost you, its time to see if you can justify the expense.
Also Check: Wedding Spreadsheet Excel
Worried About Wedding Costs
As you add up your wedding expenses, donât sweat it if the price tag is more than you had originally imagined. But also donât set your heart on the first venue you visit or the first dress you try on. Most couples are engaged for over a year â make sure your wedding planning process includes comparison shopping.
When it comes time to pay the deposits, remember that you donât have to put everything on credit cards. Many couples set up cash funds as part of their registry to help them cover wedding expenses. Some couples may also choose to take out a wedding loan.
When friends and family ask if they can help, donât be shy about saying âYes!â If you have a cousin who can bartend or a good friend who could be your photographer, that could offer significant savings.
Speaking of family and friends! One of the most effective ways to save money is to carefully craft your invite list. Instead of inviting everyone in your extended family, make a list of people who you know will want to attend. The same goes for friends.
Remember â $30,000 is just an average. Your wedding could cost more or significantly less. Thinking about average costs should simply start a discussion about what matters most to you and your partner.
Wedding Planner Prices From Around The Country
Weddings & Moore in San Antonio, TX, say, Planning services start at $300 and go up to a % of your budget…. I’ve worked with clients with all different budgets.
Majestyk Planners & Events in Oceanside, CA, says, If the client decides they want an hourly rate for wedding coordinating and planning only starting at $500 and up:
- $150
- Day of Coordination $1,500
- Partial Planning/Coordination $3,200
- Full-service planning/Coordination $4,000
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Do You Pay For A Wedding Upfront
You wont have to pay all of the costs for your wedding right away. Most vendors require a deposit when you book them, but youll have some time until the wedding to pay off the rest of their fees.
You can also use credit cards or loans to slowly pay off your wedding, although you may incur interest.
A Wedding Planner Can Save You Money
A wedding planner can often neutralize their own cost just based on the savings they rack up for you throughout your planning process.
Wedding planners have connections, know the best deals and can identify when something is worth what it costs or if you should move on. They are budget ninjas in all things wedding related. They know how to negotiate with vendors when appropriate and get the best quality for the best price across the board. They also typically get trade discounts from companies they have good relationships with. Some planners will pass those discounts directly on to you for even more cost savings.
Keep in mind this added value of a wedding planner when youre considering whether or not you can afford one.
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Planner Vs Consultant Vs Coordinator: What’s The Difference
Youre either looking for someone who plans and executes your entire wedding, or someone who manages specific tasks. If you want a destination wedding or a large wedding with multiple events and many moving parts, hire a full-service wedding planner. If you’re a DIY couple who only needs guidance and assistance with wedding day logistics, hire a partial planner or coordinator.
Full-service wedding planners are involved in the entire wedding process, which includes concept, planning, managing, coordination and a myriad of details until you wave goodbye to your guests.
In todays vernacular the term wedding consultant has largely been absorbed into the term wedding planner. “I think the word ‘planner’ is easier to comprehend for couples who are looking for assistance, says Micki Novak, Executive Director of the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners . If someone advertises themselves as a consultant, there is always a question about what they can or will do.” If you find a “wedding consultant” that you like, ask them what their services cover.
“A wedding coordinator is very different from a wedding planner,” says Ashley Paul, Co-owner of C & A Event Planning. “Most think of a ‘day-of’ coordinator who manages the vendors and venue the couple has hired. Actually, the coordinator has to come onboard a month or more before the wedding to know who is who, what needs to go where and what your expectations are.”
What Wedding Events Does A Planner’s Fee Cover
In most cases, a wedding planner will assist with the wedding itselfboth ceremony and reception. However, if you are able to increase your wedding planning budget and costs, your planner can also help plan your rehearsal dinner and post-wedding brunch. If youre having a destination wedding with lots of events over the course of the weekend, your planner may assist with those as wellbut expect to pay more.
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