There is a reason why wedding planners and coordinators exist - planning a wedding is tough! Their expertise and experience can be invaluable as you prepare for your wedding, and be absolutely critical on the day of.

The job of a wedding planner, whether you pay someone else or do it yourself, is one that needs to be done; likewise, a person to coordinate the day of your wedding has to be done by someone besides yourself, and they will definitely be working to make sure the day goes off smoothly! Asking a guest to take on the responsibilities of coordinating the day means they are no longer truly a guest, given the amount of responsibilities needed for a traditional ceremony-and-reception wedding.

The cost of a wedding coordinator or planner can range from being included in your venue cost to tens of thousands of dollars, but the cost is extremely relative. Read on tto find oout which option is right for you!

What is the Average Cost of a Wedding Coordinator?

The average cost to hire a wedding coordinator can range from being included in your venue to to $50,000. This cost may change depending on the wedding’s time, location, size, and services requested. See the average cost breakdown below for the different types of coordinators:

• Venue Coordinator: Included in venue cost - $1,000 add-on
• Month/”Day”-Of Wedding Coordinator: $1,500-$8,000
• Full-Service Wedding Coordinators: $5,000-50,000

What Type of Coordinator Do You Need?

A wedding coordinator is a must-have for many reasons. They not only help your day run smoothly but also can help you throughout the entire wedding planning process. However, if you’re confident in your number-crunching abilities, and have early wedding planning on lock, you may not need the help early on. There are different kinds of wedding coordinators and levels of service to suit all celebrations.

You can hire a day-of wedding coordinator, one for the month of your wedding, the entirety of your engagement, or any length in-between. With varying commitments come varying costs, so before you book a coordinator, consider the type that will meet your specific needs. Keep in mind that each professional will have different wedding coordinator costs, so make sure to do your research before making your final decision.

Venue Event Coordination

Some venues come with an event coordinator, who is employed by the venue to manage the events hosted in the space. Because they run events every week and weekend at the same location with (generally) the same timetable and maybe even a select group of vendors, they are able to swoop in on the day-of to make the event go by smoothly. They will communicate directly with you, give you a timeline based on historical events at the venue, and have limited contact with your vendors.

They will also direct set-up and tear-down, manage the timeline, handle some any unexpected issues, and generally ensure the day runs smoothly. However, keep in mind that their main focus is on making sure that the event goes smoothly for the venue, not necessarily you and your guests. They want to make sure people get in and out of the venue at the right times, are taken care of, and behave responsibly for the security of the venue. Some venue coordinators may go above and beyond to take care of you, but don’t expect them to play referee between warring family members!

Photo Credit // Emma Mcdonald Weddings

Month or Day-of Coordination/”Wedding Management”

This service goes by many names: Day-of-Coordinator, Month-of-Coordination, Wedding Manager - but they all achieve the same thing of making sure the event goes off smoothly. Many coordinators moved away from using “Day-of” language because their work truly begins weeks before the event; unless they are tied to a specific venue, there are too many variables for someone to come in just for the day and make sure everything turns out right. Even more recent is a shift to “Wedding Manager” language, as it is broader in terms of timeline and responsibilities.

You may think the hard part is over when your wedding is only weeks away, but most couples are surprised and overwhelmed by the little things that come up in the final days before they say “I Do.” Month-of coordinators ease this stress and ensure everything is ready for the big day. In addition to coordinating and communicating with the couple, the wedding party, and the wedding vendors, a month-of coordinator will take on all last-minute planning details and ensure your wedding vision comes to life. These additional responsibilities can include:

• Setting up escort card tables and managing the seating chart and place cards
• Creating the timeline and communicating it to vendors
• Checking in with vendors and distributing tips
• And anything the couple may need during the last hour

Month-of-coordinators will also be prepared for any unforeseen issues, including broken bustles, managing difficult family dynamics, and finding wayward wedding party members during photos.

Partial Planning & Design

So you know you can handle most of the planning, maybe because you have been in a dozen weddings already, or have an elaborate Pinterest board and many saved Real Weddings, 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. Most planners will require at least a venue to be booked for partial planning services. 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.

Full Service Planning & Design

For help and design advice from engagement to “I do,” a wedding planner offering complete planning and event design is the way to go. Unlike a coordinator, a wedding planner will be there from the very start and can help with everything from your color palette and mood board to wedding venue selection. A full-service wedding planner is especially helpful for destination weddings or large weddings with lots of moving parts. They can also help lower costs and save you time by recommending vendors that are within your price range. They may even be able to secure discount pricing or added perks if they have existing relationship with your vendors.

Consider your budget, style, and personality when choosing a wedding coordinator. Shop around,get on the phone, or meet in person with a few favorites to get a feel for how you’ll work together. Apart from your fiancé, your wedding coordinator will be the person you communicate with the most about your wedding. Plus, they’ll be directing everything on the day, so it’s important to not only get along with them but also trust them completely.

Wedding Coordinators Cost

For each type of wedding coordinator, there’s a range of costs. Some may charge by the hour while others charge a flat-rate. For support at the wedding ceremony only, a coordinator that charges an hourly rate will be the most cost-effective option for you.

The more time and services you require, the more your wedding coordinator will cost. Month-of coordinators and partial planners start around $1,000 but can go up to $10,000 depending on their experience and time commitment.

Full-service wedding coordinators commit the most time and energy to your big day, so naturally cost the most. There’s a wide range of costs associated with coordinators in this category based on experience and location. Fees for full-service coordinators can reach $50,000, however, the starting rate hovers around $5,000. While you may be paying a pretty penny for these planners, they come with service and insight that can be worth the extra funds. Some wedding planners work similarly to interior designers in that they take a percent of the total wedding spend.

Most wedding coordinators will work with you to create a custom package best suited to your needs. Keep in mind, tacking on additional services such as having them plan a rehearsal dinner or being in text contact, can cost extra. On the flip side,don’t be afraid to remove and save on services you don’t need.

Photo Credit // Tim Ryan Smith Photography

Other Costs To Consider

Travel and Accommodations

Are you having a destination wedding? You’ll need to factor your wedding coordinator’s flights, room, and food into your budget. But covering travel and accommodation costs isn’t limited to destination weddings. Gas,transportation, and a hotel the night of or before your wedding are other typical coordinator costs. It’s essential you read all agreements with your wedding coordinator as these expenses may not be included in their rate but are required under the contract.

Assistants

Does your wedding coordinator work with a team? If so, are their team member’s wages included in the overall rate, or do they come at an additional cost? Additional help on your wedding day can come with extra fees for labor, travel, food, and tips.

Food and Drink

Be sure to include vendor meals in your catering budget for coordinators and any team members working during the reception. If your coordinator is also attending the rehearsal dinner or joining your food tasting, consider their meals as additional line items on your budget as well.

Tip

Tipping wedding coordinators is highly recommended, especially if they’ve played an integral part in your wedding planning. If your coordinator exceeds your expectations, it’s appropriate to tip them and their assistants on the day of the wedding. A good tip is 10-20% of the coordinator’s total fees.

Go Over Everything

Be upfront with your coordinator about all costs before you sign the contract. Ask about their policies concerning travel, if they’ll be hiring additional team members to help, and if the tip is included. Ask about their payment structure, as many will not require a lump sum payment in advance, but rather a deposit.

Although wedding planners and coordinators do come at a cost, your coordinator can end up saving you money on your wedding day—maybe even enough to offset their entire cost. A huge part of the coordinator’s role is to help you stick to your budget. They offer expert advice and helpful suggestions to help you make tough decisions and find budget-friendly options. These tasks alone could ensure you don’t overspend. Wedding planners and coordinators are also experts in the field and have often worked with your venue and vendors before. These established relationships can help secure deals, discounts, or trades that can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

Even if you don’t see direct savings thanks to your coordinator, a wedding coordinator will surely save you time, energy, and stress. And that’s practically priceless.