Wedding planner
A wedding planner is an event planner who assists with the design, planning, and management of a client's wedding. Other names include wedding consultant, wedding designer, wedding coordinator, and wedding director.
Professional wedding planners are based worldwide but the industry is the largest in the US, India, western Europe and China. Before the introduction of professional wedding planners, which became a recognized job in the 1990s, most of the work usually fell to the bride's mother or sister.
Planners are also popular with couples planning a destination wedding, where the documentation and paperwork can be complicated. Any country where a wedding is held requires different procedures depending on the nationality of each the bride and the groom.
Clients
Weddings are significant events in people's lives and as such, couples are often willing to spend considerable amount of money to ensure that their weddings are well-organized. Wedding planners are often used by couples who work long hours and have little spare time available for sourcing and managing wedding venues and wedding suppliers. In particular, the increased number of women who are working full-time and have disposable income but who are time-poor, has driven the increased use of paid wedding planners. The desire for weddings to be extravagant spectacles has also increased interest in hiring wedding planners.Services
Most planners offer one or more packages of services, either comprehensive, a partial package, or "day-of" services only. Additionally, many wedding planners can be hired for specific, individual tasks. Generally, a comprehensive package covers full-scale event planning, beginning with determining the goals and budget. The comprehensive package may include organizing and attending tours of venues and interviews with potential vendors, working with the client to develop an overall design for the event, negotiating contracts and organizing payments, backup plans for emergencies, and more. They will organize additional events, such as photo shoots and or a day-after brunch for out-of-town guests, that the clients want. In this wide-ranging role, the planner may go beyond the ordinary role of a service provider and event organizer and make decisions about artistic aspects or provide personal support as a mediator or friendly confidante.A partial package is a scaled-down version of the comprehensive package, offering selected services. For example, a partial package might arrange decorators, musicians, caterers, and photographers, but would not help with invitations, venue selection, clothing, or travel plans. They will generally include logistical planning services, planning the event layout and day-of services.
Day-of services require work before the actual day of the event, so the planner knows what needs to be done on the day of the event. Day-of servings including coordinating of deliveries and services at the events, answering questions from vendors, and solving unexpected problems.
One of the most common individual services is hiring a planner to send invitations and track responses. Wedding planners are also hired to organize individual wedding-related events, such as an engagement party, a bridal shower, or the honeymoon.
Some services will depend upon specific needs for a particular wedding. For example, a wedding planner may help prepare legal documentation and translations, especially for destination weddings. For instance, US citizens marrying in Italy require a Nulla Osta, plus an Atto Notorio, and legalization of the above. Some countries instead have agreements and the couple can get their No Impediment forms from their local registrar and have it translated by the consulate in the country of the wedding. A local wedding planner can take care of the different procedures.
What Are Wedding Planner Services?
Wedding planner services cover every aspect of designing, organizing, and executing a wedding. Whether you’re envisioning an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, a wedding planner acts as your guide, coordinator, problem-solver, and creative partner throughout the process. These services can be tailored to your needs—ranging from full-service planning to day-of coordination—ensuring that every couple gets the level of support they truly need.
1. Full Wedding Planning
Ideal for couples who want a seamless experience from start to finish. Full-service planning includes:
Budget creation and management
Venue selection and vendor sourcing
Theme and décor design
Timeline planning and logistics
Guest management and RSVP tracking
Wedding-day coordination
Your planner oversees everything so you can focus on enjoying your engagement.
2. Partial Wedding Planning
Perfect for couples who’ve already started planning but need expert guidance. This service helps with:
Vendor recommendations and negotiations
Refining design concepts
Creating a detailed wedding timeline
Troubleshooting planning challenges
3. Day-of Coordination
For couples who have planned everything themselves but want a professional to manage the big day. The planner ensures:
Vendors arrive on time
The timeline runs smoothly
Last-minute issues are handled discreetly
You and your family can relax and enjoy the celebration
4. Destination Wedding Planning
Planning a wedding away from home requires local knowledge and precise coordination. Destination wedding planners handle:
Location and venue scouting
Travel and accommodation logistics
Legal requirements
Vendor coordination in the destination
Why Hire a Wedding Planner?
Stress-Free Experience
A wedding planner takes care of the details, deadlines, and behind-the-scenes work—so you don’t have to.
Budget Control
Planners help you allocate your budget wisely, avoid costly mistakes, and often secure better vendor deals.
Professional Expertise
With industry experience and trusted vendor networks, planners know what works, what doesn’t, and how to bring your vision to life.
Flawless Execution
On your wedding day, your planner ensures everything runs smoothly, allowing you to be fully present in the moment.
Payments
The fees depend upon the services provided. Planners generally charge either a percentage of the total wedding cost, or a flat fee., wedding planners typically consist of 15% of the wedding's total cost. Wedding planners can charge an hourly wage, depending on which part of the country they conduct their services in. The rate also depends on how much experience the wedding planner has had.Training
Various wedding planning courses are available to those who wish to pursue the career.In popular culture
The 2001 comedy The Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey is about the busy life of a wedding planner who falls in love with one of her clients. Also, many TV shows that have branched from wedding planning, such as TLC's Say Yes to the Dress. This is a reality show that follows brides as they shop at the prestigious Kleinfeld's for their perfect wedding dress. Another show is 'My Fair Wedding' with celebrity party planner David Tutera.More recently, Bollywood film Band Baaja Baaraat is about marriage planners falling in love. Ranveer Singh made his debut with this film and won Best Debutant at several awards. The film had a successful run at the theaters.
The 2011 Hong Kong television drama Only You tells the stories of a fictional wedding services agency and their clients.