How Much Does Wedding Planner Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Wedding Planner Include?
A wedding planner manages the logistics of your wedding — from vendor selection and budget management to timeline creation and day-of coordination. They save you time, reduce stress, and often negotiate vendor discounts that offset their fee.
The national average cost for wedding planner is $3,500 per wedding. Most homeowners pay between $1,500 and $8,000, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Service Level
Day-of coordination: $800-$2,500. Partial planning: $1,500-$4,000. Full planning: $3,000-$10,000. Luxury full service: $10,000-$30,000+
Pricing Model
Flat fee: most common. Percentage of budget (10-20%): for larger budgets. Hourly: $50-$150/hour (rare)
Location
Small town: $800-$2,000. Suburban: $1,500-$4,000. Major city: $3,000-$10,000. Destination: $5,000-$15,000+
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Service level (full, partial, day-of)
- ✓Wedding size
- ✓Geographic location
- ✓Planner experience
- ✓Number of events (rehearsal, brunch, etc.)
- ✓Destination wedding
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Day-of coordination ($800-$2,500) gives you professional management on the big day without full planning fees
- 2.Partial planning ($1,500-$4,000) is ideal if you want to handle most decisions but need help with logistics and vendors
- 3.Many planners negotiate vendor discounts of 10-20% — their fee may pay for itself
- 4.Newer planners with fewer weddings under their belt charge 30-50% less than established ones
📈 Wedding Planner Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +17.7% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $2,973 | — |
| 2021 | $3,098 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $3,299 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | $3,391 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $3,500 | +3.2% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Wedding Planner Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,230 | $2,870 | $6,560 |
| Alaska | $1,920 | $4,480 | $10,240 |
| Arizona | $1,425 | $3,325 | $7,600 |
| Arkansas | $1,200 | $2,800 | $6,400 |
| California | $2,025 | $4,725 | $10,800 |
| Colorado | $1,620 | $3,780 | $8,640 |
| Connecticut | $1,830 | $4,270 | $9,760 |
| Delaware | $1,575 | $3,675 | $8,400 |
| Florida | $1,470 | $3,430 | $7,840 |
| Georgia | $1,350 | $3,150 | $7,200 |
| Hawaii | $2,130 | $4,970 | $11,360 |
| Idaho | $1,380 | $3,220 | $7,360 |
| Illinois | $1,575 | $3,675 | $8,400 |
| Indiana | $1,320 | $3,080 | $7,040 |
| Iowa | $1,290 | $3,010 | $6,880 |
| Kansas | $1,275 | $2,975 | $6,800 |
| Kentucky | $1,260 | $2,940 | $6,720 |
| Louisiana | $1,305 | $3,045 | $6,960 |
| Maine | $1,530 | $3,570 | $8,160 |
| Maryland | $1,725 | $4,025 | $9,200 |
| Massachusetts | $1,950 | $4,550 | $10,400 |
| Michigan | $1,380 | $3,220 | $7,360 |
| Minnesota | $1,530 | $3,570 | $8,160 |
| Mississippi | $1,170 | $2,730 | $6,240 |
| Missouri | $1,305 | $3,045 | $6,960 |
| Montana | $1,425 | $3,325 | $7,600 |
| Nebraska | $1,320 | $3,080 | $7,040 |
| Nevada | $1,530 | $3,570 | $8,160 |
| New Hampshire | $1,680 | $3,920 | $8,960 |
| New Jersey | $1,875 | $4,375 | $10,000 |
| New Mexico | $1,350 | $3,150 | $7,200 |
| New York | $1,980 | $4,620 | $10,560 |
| North Carolina | $1,350 | $3,150 | $7,200 |
| North Dakota | $1,350 | $3,150 | $7,200 |
| Ohio | $1,350 | $3,150 | $7,200 |
| Oklahoma | $1,245 | $2,905 | $6,640 |
| Oregon | $1,650 | $3,850 | $8,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,530 | $3,570 | $8,160 |
| Rhode Island | $1,725 | $4,025 | $9,200 |
| South Carolina | $1,305 | $3,045 | $6,960 |
| South Dakota | $1,275 | $2,975 | $6,800 |
| Tennessee | $1,290 | $3,010 | $6,880 |
| Texas | $1,395 | $3,255 | $7,440 |
| Utah | $1,425 | $3,325 | $7,600 |
| Vermont | $1,620 | $3,780 | $8,640 |
| Virginia | $1,575 | $3,675 | $8,400 |
| Washington | $1,725 | $4,025 | $9,200 |
| West Virginia | $1,200 | $2,800 | $6,400 |
| Wisconsin | $1,410 | $3,290 | $7,520 |
| Wyoming | $1,380 | $3,220 | $7,360 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a wedding planner worth it?
For most couples, yes. Planners save 40-80+ hours of research and coordination time. Full planners often save 10-20% on vendor costs through industry relationships. They handle problems you never see, keep your timeline on track, and let you actually enjoy your wedding day.
What's the difference between a planner and a coordinator?
A full planner is involved from engagement to wedding day — helping with budgets, vendor selection, design, and logistics. A day-of coordinator takes over 4-8 weeks before the wedding to manage the timeline, final vendor communications, and runs everything on the day itself.
🏙️ Wedding Planner Cost by City
Compare wedding planner costs in the most popular US cities:
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