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How Much Does A Wedding Planner Get Paid?

Last updated September 26th, 2024

For Love … and Money!

Of course weddings are all about the love and although many event managers choose wedding planning because they’re passionate about delivering dreams, being a professional also means being paid! So, yes can tell you what salary you can expect but also there are some other important factors to consider….

1. What is the average salary wedding planners?
2. Do freelance weddings planner earn more?
3. What different types of wedding are there?
4. Do I need a qualification to be a wedding planner?

What is the average salary wedding planners?

If you’re starting with entry level job your salary will be around £18,000 – £25,000 a year starting salary. Jobs include wedding planner apprentice or wedding assistant either for a venue or private wedding planning company. Don’t forget though, starting at the bottom brings opportunities for important on-the-job experience to build your CV and contacts.

Once you gain experience you will be moving up to a salary of £35,000 + a year and gaining more responsibility, creativity, and decision-making . Jobs include with roles like Wedding Coordinator or Assistant Wedding Planner. 

And finally the top tier of Wedding Planners, particularly in the Luxury sector, the sky is the limit. Think £50,000 annually, particularly if you are willing to travel and facilitate weddings around the world. As such, highly experienced wedding planners who can offer a strong record of expertise, word-of-mouth recommendation and positive client testimonials could access salaries beyond this average.Another important consideration for salary is location. If you are in a high demand area, like London, New York or Mumbai.

Want to find out more? Try our Free Introduction To Event Management

Do Freelance Weddings Planner Earn More?

Freelance wedding planners and salaried wedding planners have very different wage structures. Here are some of the key considerations:

If you are freelancing or working for yourself, usually the weddings are charged at a flat rate. This can range from £1k for an inexperienced planner up to around £5k for some one with more experience. The fee will also typically depend on how complicated the weddings is and also the different services the planner offers.

Working freelance you will have more control over the fees and how many weddings you choose to do but don’t forget this is definitely a seasonal job so there will also be some months over the summer when you are significantly busier. Summer holidays might not be an option! Typically a successful wedding planner is earning from around £30,000 to £100,000 per year.

However, if you are not freelance but on an annual salary then you are likely working for a hotel, venue or agency. You have no control on pricing or how many weddings you do per year, you may even be running multiple weddings at the same time in a large venue for example. Despite this larger workload you may benefit from some additional bonuses tied to your performance. Generally a salary would be more in the range of £25,000 – £30,000.

 

Here’s an overview…

Aspect Freelance Wedding Planner Salaried Wedding Planner
Earnings per Wedding £1,000 – £10,000+ N/A (annual salary-based)
Annual Earnings £30,000 – £100,000+ (varies) £18,000 – £50,000+
Control Over Pricing Full control over setting prices Fixed salary with limited bonus potential
Workload Varies; usually handles 10-20 weddings per year Often manages multiple weddings simultaneously (20-50/year)
Stability Income fluctuates with seasons and client demand Stable, year-round income and benefits
Expenses Responsible for business expenses (marketing, insurance) Typically no out-of-pocket expenses (covered by employer)
Flexibility More flexibility in choosing clients and schedules Less flexibility, often tied to employer’s calendar
Growth Potential Potential for higher earnings as reputation grows Limited unless promoted or moved to a senior position

 

Want to find out more? Try our Free Introduction To Event Management

What different types of wedding are there?

When you are working as a wedding planner you may decide to specialise in a particular type of wedding. This can add an extra dimension to your business as well as attract more clientele.

Here some ideas…

  1. Eco Friendly /Green Weddings – locally sourced food, sustainable decor, bio degradable invites
  2. Vintage Weddings – 1950’s roll n roll wedding or a Gatsby wedding
  3. Destination Weddings – beach on the Maldives or a castle in Scotland
  4. Cultural Weddings – large scale Indian weddings to Jewish weddings
  5. Themed Weddings – super hero weddings or Harry Potter inspired
  6. Adventure Weddings – tieing the knot in a hot air balloon or on top of a mountain
  7. Micro Weddings – fewer than 20 guests in a boutique hotel
  8. LGBTQ+ Weddings – inclusive vendors and celebrants
  9. Pet Friendly Weddings – why not have your furry friend as a ring bearer?
  10. Gothic Weddings – deep purple & black dress codes
Want to find out more? Try our Free Introduction To Event Management

Do I Need A Qualification To Be A Wedding Planner?

The short answer is no you don’t. However gaining a qualification will not only boost your earning potential but also deepen your knowledge in the key aspects of wedding planning.

If you are able to gain do a course you will not only be able to demonstrate your expertise to clients but it also increases your credibility, engenders trust in your abilities and your professionalism on your clients most important day.

There are a number of different courses available from short courses to longer event management degrees that will take around 2/3 years.

One of the main reasons for doing any type of course is that you will gain specialist in depth knowledge on some core topics. These include how to deal with suppliers, risk management and legal considerations. This knowledge will help you to manage the complexities of larger events and give you confidence. Some courses will also help you with soft skills; creativity, confidence & teamwork – all of which are crucial. Plus it’s important to consider a course that will give you a qualification that employers or clients value – an accredited qualification.

Freelance wedding planners with formal qualifications can often charge higher rates because clients are willing to pay more for someone with proven expertise. A degree or certification may give clients more confidence in your abilities, especially for luxury or destination weddings.

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