What does a wedding planner cost?
Flat fee or percentage, what is included, and why the lowest quote isn’t always the cheapest.
Two ways of charging
Most agencies charge a flat fee, set after a first meeting: between 2,000 and 8,000 francs or euros for full planning, depending on the region and the size of the wedding. High-end agencies tend to charge a percentage of the total budget, usually 10 to 15%.
What the price covers
A full-planning fee usually covers venue search, supplier selection and negotiation, budget tracking, the timeline, day-of coordination and the on-site team. Styling, flowers, furniture rental and the suppliers themselves are billed separately, directly by them.
The lowest quote isn’t always the cheapest
An experienced agency often gets better terms from caterers and rental companies, because it brings them several weddings a year. On a 40,000 budget, an 8% discount on the big line items already covers part of the fee. Always ask whether the negotiated discounts come back to you in full.
The price questions to ask
- Is the quote a firm fee, or can it change?
- How many meetings are included, and what happens beyond that?
- How many people from your team will be there on the day?
- Are travel and accommodation billed on top?
- Do you receive a commission from the suppliers you recommend?