How much to charge as a wedding planner
Multiply the hours a package takes by what your time is worth. Couples paid full-service planners $3,800 on average in 2025, for 150 to 250 hours of a lead planner’s work. That’s $15 to $25 an hour, while planners typically quote $50 to $100. Fill in your own numbers below to see your prices.
Where your rate sits
Your rate against what couples’ fees work out to, what planners quote, and what salaried event planners earn. Drag along the ruler, or tap a benchmark to try it.
Wedding planner pricing benchmarks
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average planner fee, all types | $2,100 | The Knot Real Weddings Study, 2025 weddings |
| Full-service planning, average | $3,800 | The Knot; Zola reports $4,047 |
| Partial or month-of planning | $1,500–$2,800 | Zola |
| Month-of coordination, average | $2,400 | The Knot |
| Day-of coordination, average | $1,600 | The Knot |
| Lead planner hours, full service | 150–250 | The Knot; partial takes about half |
| Average engagement length | 15 months | The Knot Real Weddings Study |
| Typical planner hourly rate | $80 ($50–$100) | Thumbtack |
| Median wage, salaried event planners | $29.41 an hour | US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 |
Three ways planners set a price
Flat fee
One price per package, agreed up front. Clients can budget for it, and you carry the risk if the event runs long.
Share of the budget
A percentage of the client’s total wedding budget. It grows with bigger events, but can drift away from the hours you actually work.
Hourly
You bill the time you spend. It’s the most accurate, and the hardest for clients to plan around, so it suits consultations and add-ons.
The formula
Hours = months booked ahead × hours a month + hours for the final weeks and the day. Package price = hours × hourly rate, rounded to the nearest $50.
Example: booked 18 months out at 8 hours a month, plus 50 hours at the end, is 194 hours. At $80 an hour that’s $15,500, or 38.8% of a $40,000 wedding.
Questions planners ask
How much do wedding planners charge?
Couples in The Knot’s Real Weddings Study paid $2,100 on average for 2025 weddings: $3,800 for full service, $2,400 for month-of and $1,600 for day-of coordination. Hourly rates typically run $50 to $100. Your right price depends on your hours and what your time is worth.
How many hours does full-service wedding planning take?
A lead planner spends 150 to 250 hours on a full-service wedding, before assistants’ time. Partial planning takes about half that.
Should I charge a flat fee or a percentage?
A flat fee is easier for clients to plan around. A percentage grows with bigger weddings. Many planners set a flat fee and use the percentage as a check that the price fits the event.
How do I work out my hourly rate?
Divide the yearly income you want by the hours you’ll actually work on events. Then compare it with what planners typically quote, $50 to $100 an hour, and adjust for your market and experience.
Sources
Your prices come from your own numbers; benchmarks are for comparison. Last updated November 3, 2026, by Rundown.