Last Updated on July 24, 2025 | 10 : 26 pm by Fiestasline
Last updated in 2025
Fast Facts: Wedding Planner Salary Insights
- The wedding sector is projected to boom throughout 2025 and 2026.
- Global wedding industry value predicted to hit USD $505.57 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 12.6%.
- Wedding planners often charge per event ($500–$5,000+), hourly, or by taking 12–20% of the couple’s total budget.
- Most wedding planners arrange 8–10 weddings annually, though this varies by planner.
- Their hourly rate depends on the number of jobs per year, rate per wedding, and total hours worked.
- Urban-based planners tend to earn more than those in rural areas due to demand and cost of living.
- U.S. wedding planners can earn up to USD $71,000 per year.
- In Canada, salary can reach CAD $71,750 annually. In the UK, up to GBP £35,420. In NZ, NZD $71,000. In Australia, AUD $85,000.
- Top ways to boost income: earn a certification, build a website, grow a social media presence, focus on SEO, offer premium services, niche down, invest in ads, provide incentives, price wisely, and audit your expenses regularly.
What Can You Earn Per Wedding as a Planner?
Wedding planners’ rates per event can vary widely—from $500 to well beyond $5,000. Many professionals use a percentage-based pricing model, typically between 12–20% of the total wedding budget. So, if a couple’s wedding budget is $30,000, the planner could net anywhere from $3,600 to $6,000 for their role.
This earning potential can depend heavily on the scope of the wedding and the planner’s industry standing and experience level.
Wedding Planner Pay: What’s the Hourly Rate?
How much a wedding planner makes hourly depends on:
- How many weddings they handle each year
- The average rate charged per wedding
- Any additional revenue streams they may have
For example, if a planner takes on 20 weddings annually, charges $2,000 each, and spends 40 hours per wedding, that’s $50/hour. But if they do only 12 weddings at $4,000 each and work 50 hours per wedding, they’re making $80/hour. Clearly, the income equation is highly flexible.
What’s the Monthly Income for Wedding Planners?
Monthly earnings vary significantly depending on both how many weddings a planner books per month and how much they charge per event.
For instance, a planner might book two weddings per month at $5,000 each—earning $10,000 monthly, or a solid $120,000 per year. Alternatively, four weddings at $3,000 each would translate to $8,000/month or $96,000 annually. Either way, the potential is strong!
Top Locations Where Wedding Planners Earn the Most
High-Earning Cities and Countries
Salaries among wedding planners around the globe show similar patterns, with location being a key factor:
- USA: Avg. salary is ~$45,950 (range: $11,000 to $71,000) [Source]
- Canada: Avg. salary is ~$70,000 (range: $63,900 to $71,750) [Source]
- UK: Avg. salary is ~£28,000 (range: £24,000 to £35,420) [Source]
- New Zealand: Avg. salary is ~$66,000 NZD (range: $60,000 to $71,000) [Source]
- Australia: Avg. earnings come to ~$77,780 AUD (range: $74,650 to $85,000) [Source]
Wages are usually higher in cities with a larger population, driven by more demand, bigger budgets, and a higher cost of living.
Experience and Specialization Drive Income
As expected, experienced wedding planners command higher rates. Entry-level professionals typically earn $30,000–$40,000 annually. By the time they have 5+ years under their belt, that can grow to $50,000–$60,000. Veterans with over a decade in the industry could exceed $70,000 or even reach into the $80,000+ bracket.
Exceptional cases include planners who run their own businesses or operate in luxury niches with premium pricing.
Range of Services Impacts Earnings
Offering full-service planning (e.g., venue scouting, vendor management, event design, and day-of coordination) generally attracts far higher fees—ranging from $2,000–$5,000+. On the flip side, partial or month-of planning packages may net planners anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Boosting Your Earnings as a Wedding Planner: 10 Proven Tactics
1. Earn a Wedding Planning Certification
Getting officially certified not only sharpens your skills—it also builds trust with potential clients. Being certified lends professionalism to your brand and can justify a higher rate. Consider programs like QC Event School’s self-paced Event & Wedding Planning course, which earns you an International Event and Wedding Planning Professional™ (IEWP®) designation in as few as three months.
2. Launch a Professional Website
Your website acts as a digital storefront. It should clearly display your services, pricing, client testimonials, and past event photos. Platforms like Wix or Squarespace make site creation easier than ever. For those who’d prefer a hands-off approach, you can hire a web designer instead.
3. Develop a Social Media Following
Use platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube to share your work, provide wedding tips, and showcase client success stories. Social media is a powerful (and free) marketing channel that can skyrocket your visibility and client outreach.
4. Optimize for SEO
Strong search engine visibility helps your website rank higher on platforms like Google. Improve your SEO by:
- Targeting relevant keywords throughout your content
- Claiming your Google My Business listing
- Running a blog with strategic topics
- Boosting site speed and mobile usability
Resources like Moz’s Beginner’s Guide and Semrush’s common SEO mistakes list are great places to start.
5. Provide Value-Enhanced Services
Diversify your packages with add-ons like:
- Day-of coordination
- Venue styling or floral design
- Luxury or destination wedding planning
- Bundle deals with catering or photography services
QC Event School offers training for niche services like event décor, floral design, and destination planning.
6. Specialize in a Specific Kind of Wedding
Narrowing your focus can help attract premium clients. Niche ideas include:
- LGBTQIA+ weddings
- Eco-conscious or zero-waste weddings
- Cultural-specific ceremonies
- Gourmet food-focused weddings
When clients see that your brand aligns with their specific needs, they’re more likely to pay a premium.
7. Set Aside a Budget for Paid Advertising
Give your business an extra push with paid marketing. Consider advertising on:
- Google or Bing Ads
- Facebook and Instagram via Meta Business