For planners
How to price wedding planning services
Three pricing models, the regional benchmarks couples actually pay in 2026, and the math that tells you whether your packages are sustainable.
The three pricing models
- Flat fee — most common for month-of and partial. Predictable for couples, predictable for you.
- Percentage of total wedding budget — 10–20%. Standard for high-end full-service.
- Hourly — rarely the whole package, but useful for consulting add-ons ($75–$200/hour).
2026 benchmarks by package
| Package | National median | Major metros | Hours invested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month-of coordination | $1,500–$3,500 | $3,000–$5,500 | 30–50 |
| Partial planning | $3,500–$7,500 | $6,000–$12,000 | 80–120 |
| Full-service | $7,500–$18,000 | $15,000–$45,000 | 200–400 |
| Destination (full-service) | $12,000–$30,000 | $25,000–$75,000 | 250–500 |
The sustainability math
Take your target annual income, add 30% for taxes, add overhead (insurance, software, marketing — typically $5–15k/year), then divide by the number of weddings you can realistically execute.
Most planners cap at 12–18 weddings per year solo, or 25–35 with an associate. If your package price × your cap doesn't hit your number, the package is underpriced.
Run your numbers in the wedding planner fee calculator.
Flat fee vs percentage — when to switch
Couples spending under $50k almost always prefer flat fees (predictability). Above $75k, percentage often wins for you — a 15% fee on a $200k wedding is $30k, well above what a flat package would have charged.
The hybrid that works: flat base fee plus a percentage above a threshold (e.g., $8,000 flat plus 10% of any vendor spend over $60,000).
Regional adjustments
- NYC, LA, SF, Boston, DC: add 40–60% to national median.
- Chicago, Seattle, Miami, Austin, Denver: add 15–30%.
- Mid-size metros (Nashville, Charleston, Portland): national median.
- Small markets: subtract 10–25% — but cap your number of weddings so quality stays.
Cross-check the local market with our 2026 average wedding cost guide and per-city pages like Austin, Nashville, and Chicago.
The pricing-page trap
Don't publish exact prices on your website unless your packages start under $3,000. Above that, "starting at" pricing forces an inquiry — and inquiry quality is dramatically higher than a price-shopping click. State typical investment ranges instead.