Planning a wedding is undoubtedly one of the most exciting yet challenging experiences in life. It can overwhelm you in many ways, especially if you are planning to get married in a state like Illinois where you will find an unending array of vendor choices. From booking the perfect venue to finding the right dress and coordinating with all vendors, there is much to do. This is why, hiring a wedding planner is often essential.
A big part of planning inevitably constitutes budgeting for different aspects; if you are considering a wedding in the windy city, it would be worthwhile to understand the cost of a wedding planner in Chicago.
Here is a detailed guide exploring the various factors influencing the cost of a wedding planner. It will help you understand what you can expect to pay.
Types of wedding planning services
Before delving into the costs, it is essential to understand the different types of wedding planning services offered in the city.
Full-service planning
Full-service planning covers every aspect of your wedding from start to finish. From initial planning and designing to vendor selection and bookings to day-of coordination, full-service planning takes care of everything you need to make your wedding day as magical as you want it to be. In effect, full-service wedding planners help ensure that the experience is as stress-free and enjoyable for you as possible.
Partial planning
Some couples choose to have certain aspects of their wedding handled by a planner as opposed to assigning an entire wedding to them. These aspects may be anything from handling vendor coordination to design consultation and day-of management. They cost much less when compared to full-service planners and are often customizable.
Day-of coordination
A day-of coordinator is a professional who handles the logistics and management of vendors on the wedding day itself. It is often one of the most challenging parts of executing a wedding, which is why some couples choose to seek help for the same. It ensures that the event unfolds smoothly while the couple gets to remain stress-free. Most wedding planners provide specific day-of coordination services.
Factors influencing the cost of a wedding planner in Chicago
Starting from the scope of services to the customizations to the experience and goodwill of the planning service provider, several factors affect their charges.
Location
The location is a major influencing factor when it comes to wedding planning services in Chicago. The city, from a broad perspective, tends to have higher rates when compared to the rest of Illinois. However, the suburban areas and smaller villages, which are quite popular locations for couples to get married, may have planners who charge much less.
Scope of services
The extent of services you avail from your planner also determines their total cost. The more comprehensive the service package, the higher the cost will be. For the same reason, full-service planners charge more than partial planners or day-of coordinators.
Experience
Established wedding planners with solid experience and reputations are likely to charge more. Their expertise, problem-solving capabilities, and hands-on assistance, not to mention their resources including connections in the industry more than justify their cost.
Customizations
Customization often requires extensive resources, creative abilities, and more effort overall. Making your wedding unique with custom décor and other elements will hence cost more.
Size of the event
Larger weddings with longer guest lists require more coordination and attention to detail from the planner. Managing a bigger event is significantly more challenging in general. Hence, planners typically charge more for larger celebrations.
The average cost of a wedding planner
Considering all influencing factors, here is an overview of what you can expect to pay for different ranges of planners in the windy city.
Full-service wedding planner – The cost of a full-service wedding planner in Chicago ranges from $10,000 to $20,000 and above, depending on the scope of services and other factors. Typically, having a planner take care of everything from start to finish will cost you anywhere in this range.
Partial planning services – If you require help with only a few aspects of your wedding, and don’t need a full-service planner, you can opt for partial planning services. It can cost you anywhere between $3000 and $10,000, depending on the extent of assistance you seek.
Day-of coordination – A day-of coordinator is the perfect option if you have the wedding planning process under control, but need help with managing logistics smoothly on D-day. It can cost you between $2000 and $5000.
Other costs to consider
In addition to the upfront costs of hiring a wedding planner, there are a few other expenses that form part of the process.
Travel expenses
While some planners include their travel expenses in their fees, others may charge extra, especially if you are planning to get married in a remote location, such as a suburb with minimal access to the city.
Tips
Tipping is not a mandatory rule, but it is an excellent gesture to express your gratitude and appreciation for the hard work done by your planner. It is customary to tip planners in the range of 10% to 20% of the total cost of their charges. Some couples also choose to send their planner a gift of the same value as a thank you.
Overtime fees
If the planning process, including day-of coordination, extends beyond the agreed number of hours, you may need to pay overtime charges.
Is hiring a wedding planner worth the investment?
Considering the overwhelming number of tasks comprising wedding planning, and the plethora of vendor options in a city like Chicago, hiring a wedding planner can significantly ease the process for you. Most couples who invest in any extent of planning services find them worth the cost.
From a general perspective, a skilled wedding planner can save you a great deal of time, reduce stress significantly, and perhaps also save you money by negotiating excellent deals with their vendor network. In addition, they also bring a wealth of expertise and resource connections with which they can ensure that your wedding turns out as beautifully and smoothly as you envisioned.
Wrapping up
The cost of hiring a wedding planner varies greatly based on several factors, from their experience and reputation to the scope of services you choose. Understanding these costs and accounting for them during planning can help you make a realistic wedding budget. Whether you choose full-service planning, partial planning, or day-of coordination, investing in a planner is undoubtedly a worthy investment that can make your wedding day more enjoyable and stress-free.
Refer to this guide when considering planning services and make an informed decision.
Contact ForUrEvents for all types of customizable wedding planning packages, including full-service planning, partial planning, and day-of coordination.
For more updates follow us on Instagram.
