Key Takeaways:
- Most couples in the U.S. spend between $1,500 and $3,000 for day-of coordination, while full-service planning typically ranges from $5,000 to over $25,000.
- Your location and service level drive the final price. Planners in California often charge 20% to 30% more than the national average due to complex logistics and higher labor costs.
- Hiring a professional can actually save you money. Planners use their industry connections to secure vendor discounts and review contracts to prevent costly mistakes.
Your final cost comes down to the service level you choose, your planner’s experience, and the logistics of your venue. Below, we break down each planning tier, typical fee structures, and how to decide what makes sense for your wedding.
Before we talk about the big day, let’s look at where it all starts. If you are still in the early stages, check out our guide to romantic proposal planning in Los Angeles.
Quick Links:
- Wedding Planner Cost Overview
- Wedding Planner Cost In California
- Wedding Planner Cost For Your Situation
- Wedding Planner Cost For DIY Couples
- Partial Wedding Planner Cost For Busy Couples
- Full-Service Wedding Planner Cost In Los Angeles
- Wedding Planner Pricing And Fee Structures
- Wedding Planner Cost Per Hour
- Wedding Planner Budget And Savings
- Wedding Planner Cost For LA Weddings
- Wedding Planner Cost And Next Steps
- FAQs
Wedding Planner Cost Overview
How much does a wedding planner cost on average? Across the U.S., most couples spend between $1,500 and $3,000 for day-of coordination, while full-service planning typically ranges from $5,000 to over $25,000.
These numbers come from industry data gathered by sources. However, averages can be tricky as they lump together a rustic barn wedding in rural Ohio with a black-tie gala in Manhattan.
The real wedding planner cost depends entirely on the “menu” you choose. Are you ordering the à la carte consulting, the central course management, or the full tasting menu with wine pairings?
The average wedding planner cost varies based on three factors: service level (day-of vs. full), the planner’s experience, and the location. We are going to break down precisely what those tiers entail so you can see where your wedding planner costs might fall.
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Wedding Planner Cost In California
If you are planning a celebration in the Golden State, you likely know that the “sunshine tax” is real. How much is a wedding planner in California? Generally, you should pay 20% to 30% more than the national average.
California involves higher labor costs, stricter venue insurance requirements, and complex logistics. The average price of a wedding planner in California often starts around $2,500 for basic coordination and easily climbs past $10,000 for comprehensive support.
When we zoom in on wedding planner cost Los Angeles or wedding planning cost in Los Angeles, the numbers sit at the upper end of that spectrum. A beach ceremony in Malibu or a cliffside reception in Orange County comes with its own set of challenges.
Planners here handle permit applications, coastal commission rules, and notoriously difficult parking logistics. You are paying for someone who knows exactly how to navigate LA traffic to ensure the cake arrives before it melts.
Pro Tip:
- Ask potential planners if they have worked at your specific venue before. In California, knowing the unique load-in rules for a historic building or a strict noise ordinance in a residential neighborhood can save you hundreds in overtime fees later.
Wedding Planner Cost For Your Situation
Forget the averages for a second. Your actual wedding planner cost depends on who you are and how you like to work. We find that most couples fall into one of three categories.
To answer “how much is it to hire a wedding planner,” we need to look at your lifestyle. Are you a spreadsheet wizard who just wants a day off? Are you a busy professional who makes decisions quickly but hates email chains? Or are you planning a massive destination weekend?
Let’s look at three real-world scenarios to see how hiring a wedding planner costs vary and what makes sense for you.
Wedding Planner Cost For DIY Couples
Meet Couple A. Let’s call them Sarah and Mark. They are organized, have a color-coded binder, and enjoyed researching florists. But their nightmare scenario is spending their wedding morning fielding calls from the caterer instead of drinking mimosas.
For them, the “Day-Of Coordinator” is the solution. This service doesn’t mean the planner just shows up on Saturday. It usually starts 4 to 6 weeks out.
Typical Cost:
- National Average: $800 – $2,500
- LA / SoCal Average: $1,800 – $3,500
The day of the wedding planner’s cost covers a timeline review, vendor confirmations, and rehearsal management. On the big day, the wedding coordinator costs ensure someone else handles the stress. If the mic cuts out or the boutonnieres are missing, Sarah and Mark never know.
For the average cost of a day of coordinator services, you get professional execution of your hard work. This is often the best route for budget-conscious pairs looking at small wedding ideas.
Pro Tip:
- Do not wait until the week of the wedding to hand over your details. Send every vendor contract and timeline draft to your coordinator at least 30 days out. This gives them time to catch critical errors, like a photographer scheduled to leave before the cake cutting.
Partial Wedding Planner Cost For Busy Couples
Now let’s look at Couple B, Alex and Jamie. They work demanding 9-to-5 jobs. They have strong opinions on style, and they know they want a modern industrial vibe, but they don’t have 20 hours a week to chase vendors for quotes.
They need “Partial” or “Month-Of” planning. This is the middle ground. The partial wedding planner cost reflects a partner who steps in to connect the dots. The planner might suggest three vetted photographers, and Alex and Jamie just have to pick one.
Typical Cost:
- National Average: $2,500 – $6,000
- LA / SoCal Average: $3,500 – $8,000+
The cost of a wedding coordinator usually includes layout design, rental management, and firming up the flow of the event. When looking at event planning packages pricing examples, this tier often includes design guidance.
Wedding planning prices here can stretch if you add scope. For example, if Alex and Jamie decide to host a welcome party, the fee will rise to cover that extra coordination.
This level of service is perfect for ensuring you book the right team. If you are at this stage, look at our list of questions to ask a wedding venue to get started.
Full-Service Wedding Planner Cost In Los Angeles
Finally, we have Couple C, the “All-In” pair. They may live in New York, but want a Malibu wedding. Or they are planning a three-day celebration with 250 guests, custom lighting rigs, and a farewell brunch.
This is where the full-service wedding planner cost comes into play. In Los Angeles, this role is equal parts designer, producer, and therapist. The planner handles everything: concept creation, budget tracking, contract negotiations, and RSVP management.
Typical Cost:
- National Average: $5,000 – $15,000
- LA / SoCal Average: $8,000 – $25,000+
The wedding planner cost in Los Angeles usually reflects the complexity. If you need a tent built on a private estate or shuttles for 200 people, you need a pro. This answers the question “how much should a wedding planner cost” for high-stakes events: it costs enough to ensure zero failures.
If this sounds like the level of support you need, explore our approach to full-service wedding planning in Los Angeles.
Pro Tip:
- Be honest about your “hard ceiling” budget number in the very first meeting. A full-service planner can often reverse-engineer your vision to fit the budget by suggesting alternative vendors, but only if they know the real financial limit from day one.
Wedding Planner Pricing And Fee Structures
Wedding planner pricing varies wildly, even within these categories. That is because planners charge differently. Understanding the wedding planner’s fee structure helps you compare apples to apples.
Flat-Fee Wedding Planner Pricing
This is the most common model. You get a wedding planner price list that says “Package A costs $5,000.”
- Pros: You know precisely what the wedding planner’s fee is upfront. It makes budgeting easy.
- Cons: It usually has strict limits on hours or meetings.
Copyright © Photo by Dolce Vita Makers
Percentage-Based Wedding Planner Fees
Standard for luxury events. Planners charge 10% to 20% of your total wedding spend.
- Pros: The planner manages the entire budget holistically.
- Cons: As your wedding costs rise, so do the wedding planner fees.
Hybrid Wedding Planner Rates
Some planners charge a flat fee for the service and an hourly rate for extras. This is common for wedding-planning services’ prices for destination weekends or multi-day cultural events.
When you are interviewing planners, ask how they charge. This is a great time to also ask questions to a wedding photographer since your planner will likely help you hire one.
Pro Tip:
- Clarify exactly what “plus expenses” means in your contract. For weddings even slightly outside a major city, hidden costs like staff meals, mileage, and hotel nights for the planning team can add 500–500–1,000 to your final bill.
Wedding Planner Cost Per Hour
Sometimes, you just need a brain to pick. The wedding planner’s per-hour rate is perfect for couples who are stuck on a specific problem or need a professional audit of their DIY plans.
Typical Rates:
- Junior Planner: $75 – $125 per hour
- Senior/Luxury Planner: $150 – $275+ per hour
The wedding planner’s hourly rate is ideal for “gut checks.” You can pay for 2 hours to have a pro review your timeline or budget. It is a low-risk way to test drive a planner before committing to a larger contract.
Wedding Planner Budget And Savings
It sounds counterintuitive to spend money to save money, but hear us out. When setting your wedding planner budget, most experts recommend allocating 10% to 15% of your total spend.
So, do wedding planners save you money? Often, yes.
- Vendor Perks: We have relationships that can unlock discounts or upgrades you wouldn’t find on Google.
- Mistake Prevention: Ordering the wrong size tent or forgetting a power generator costs thousands in last-minute rush fees. We prevent that.
- Negotiation: We review contracts to ensure you aren’t overpaying for overtime or unnecessary add-ons.
Hiring a wedding planner costs is an insurance policy against expensive errors. It protects the rest of your budget, leaving you room for things you love, like those lush florals. Speaking of flowers, check out how much a bridal bouquet costs to keep your budget realistic.
Pro Tip:
- Use a planner’s hourly rate to audit your venue contract before you sign it. They can spot restrictive clauses—like exclusive catering lists or high beverage minimums—that could force you to overspend by thousands later in the process.
Wedding Planner Cost For LA Weddings
To wrap this up for our Southern California couples: yes, the wedding-planning costs in Los Angeles are higher than the national average. You are dealing with premium venues, rigorous permits, and a high cost of living.
But whether you spend $2,500 or $25,000, the goal is the same. You are buying freedom from stress. You can find a wedding planner who fits almost any budget, provided you are clear about which tasks you want to hand off.
Copyright © Photo by Dolce Vita Makers
And if you are looking to plan other events around the big day, we also handle bachelorette party planning in LA.
Wedding Planner Cost And Next Steps
There is no single magic number for how much a wedding planner costs. It depends on your vision, your guest count, and how much you want to handle on your own. Now that you know the ranges, from $1,500 coordination to $20,000+ full production, you can make an educated choice.
If you are planning a wedding in Los Angeles, Malibu, or Orange County, we would love to help you build a package that fits your needs. Contact Dolce Vita Makers today for a transparent look at our wedding planning prices.
FAQs
What are typical wedding planner prices in Los Angeles and California?
Most couples in LA and California pay about $1,800 to $3,500 for day-of coordination and $8,000 to $25,000+ for full-service planning. The final price depends on guest count, venue logistics, design complexity, and how much vendor management you want handed off.
What is the average cost of a wedding planner?
Across the U.S., many couples spend $1,500 to $3,000 for day-of coordination and $5,000 to $25,000+ for full-service planning. Smaller weddings with fewer vendors and simpler timelines usually fall toward the lower end, while multi-day events, large guest counts, and custom production push costs higher.
How much does partial wedding planning cost?
Partial planning commonly ranges from $2,500 to $6,000 nationally, and $3,500 to $8,000+ in LA and Southern California. This tier typically covers vendor guidance, timeline development, logistics support, and stepping in before the wedding to connect the final details.
How much does month-of coordination cost compared to day-of?
Month-of coordination is usually more than “day-of” because it often begins 4 to 8 weeks before the wedding and includes deeper handoff work with vendors. Nationally, it commonly falls around $2,000 to $4,000, and in LA, it is often $3,000 to $6,000, depending on vendor count and schedule complexity.
Do wedding planners charge hourly, and what is the hourly rate?
Yes. Hourly wedding planner rates are often $75 to $125 for newer planners and $150 to $275+ for senior or luxury planners. Hourly consulting is useful for a contract review, budget audit, timeline build, or a single strategy session when you do not need a full package.
Is a wedding planner worth the cost?
A planner is often worth it when your wedding has tight timelines, a complex venue, many vendors, or travel logistics. Beyond coordination, planners can help prevent expensive mistakes, reduce overtime and last-minute rush fees, and keep decisions moving so you stay on budget and on schedule.
