The short answer
A full-service independent wedding planner typically runs $2,500–$15,000 per wedding, with most couples paying around $5,000. The spread depends almost entirely on how much of the planning you keep for yourself:
| Tier | Range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| DIY + venue coordinator | $0–$1,000 | You plan everything; the venue’s coordinator handles their own building and staff. |
| Month-of coordination | $1,500–$3,500 | A pro takes over 4–8 weeks out: timeline, vendor confirmations, rehearsal, wedding day. |
| Full-service independent planner | $2,500–$8,000 | Vendor sourcing, budget management, design input, contract review, full-day execution. |
| Luxury / destination | $8,000–$15,000+ | Multi-day events, destination logistics, custom design, large planning teams. |
One trap worth naming: the “free” coordinator included with your venue works for the venue, not for you. They won’t chase your florist or fix your timeline. The difference matters enough that we wrote it up: wedding planner vs. venue coordinator.
What actually moves the price
Pricing model. Full-service planners often charge 10–20% of the total wedding budget, sometimes with a minimum fee. On a $40,000 wedding that’s $4,000–$8,000. Flat-fee planners are easier to budget around; percentage planners argue they’re incentivized to manage your whole spend. Either can be fair — just know which one you’re signing.
When they start. A planner engaged 12 months out does vendor research, negotiation, and design development. A month-of coordinator inherits your decisions and executes them. Same wedding day, very different amount of labor — and the price gap reflects it honestly.
Guest count and venue type. A raw space (barn, backyard, warehouse) means the planner sources everything a hotel ballroom includes by default: rentals, power, restrooms, catering logistics. Expect quotes at the top of the range for raw venues.
How this guide is priced
Ranges are compiled from published market data and public rate listings — see the source below and our data methodology. As the Mindhyv marketplace grows, these figures will be based on real, anonymized project data from the platform.
Before you hire
Start with the wedding planner hiring guide for vetting questions, and read how to compare quotes before you sign — planner proposals vary enough in structure that the cheapest number is rarely the cheapest planner.