How much does a day-of wedding coordinator cost?
How much does a day-of wedding coordinator cost?
$700 – $2,200 average total cost
Wedding coordinator cost
A day-of wedding coordinator costs $700 to $2,200 on average, depending on location, event size, and service level. Wedding coordinators charge $60 to $200 per hour for consulting and extra services. A full-service wedding planner costs $2,500 to $8,500.
| Type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Day-of / Month-of wedding coordinator | $700 – $2,200 |
| Partial planning wedding coordinator | $2,300 – $3,800 |
| Full-service wedding planner | $2,500 – $8,500 |
| Wedding consultant | $60 – $200 per hour |
Average cost of a day-of wedding coordinator
The following table shows the average cost of a day-of wedding coordinator.
| National average cost | $1,600 |
| Minimum cost | $500 |
| Maximum cost | $6,000 |
| Average cost range | $700 to $2,200 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by Fash members.
Wedding coordinator prices by type
Wedding coordinator prices are $700 to $8,500, depending on the package. Day-of service is best for couples wanting to ensure their wedding day plans run smoothly, while partial service is for those needing day-of service plus some planning before the wedding day. Full-service planning is all-inclusive.
| Package Type | Average cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Day-of / month-of | $700 – $2,200 |
|
| Partial | $2,300 – $3,800 |
|
| Full-service | $2,500 – $8,500 |
|
Day-of / month-of wedding coordinator cost
A day-of/month-of wedding coordinator costs $700 to $2,200, depending on the location and services included. A day-of coordinator begins at least 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding, finalizes the plans you've made, and oversees everything on the big day so you can enjoy the celebration.
Day-of/month-of coordinator tasks typically include:
Communicating with wedding vendors to finalize schedules and expectations
Creating a detailed wedding day timeline
Coordinating and assisting with the rehearsal
Arriving early on the wedding day to oversee event setup and direct vendors as they arrive
Managing the day's events and maintaining the schedule
Fielding unexpected problems and all last-minute details
Overseeing and delegating tasks during event breakdown.
Confirm the features included in your coordinator's package to determine which missing services you may need to recruit additional help for.
Partial planning and design wedding coordinator cost
Partial wedding planning and coordination costs $2,300 to $3,800 on average. Partial planning services typically include day-of wedding coordination and assistance with a few vendor selections during the planning phase where the couple needs the most help.
Full-service wedding planner
A full-service wedding planner costs $2,500 to $8,500 on average or 10% to 15% of your total budget. A full-service planner handles every step of the wedding planning process and is ideal for couples with no free time or those planning a large-scale, extravagant event.
Full-service wedding planning may include:
Wedding theme and design creation
Budgeting assistance
Guest list and seating chart management
Venue and vendor recommendations
Venue contract negotiation
Vendor contract negotiation, management, and payments
Making hotel and travel arrangements
Destination wedding assistance
Scheduling fittings and other pre-wedding appointments
Floor plan design and seating assistance
Organizing and managing the rehearsal dinner
Day-of coordination and management
Handling unexpected day-of wedding emergencies
Hourly rate for a wedding consultant
Wedding consultants charge $60 to $200 per hour, depending on their location and experience. A wedding consultant answers questions and provides guidance to ensure there are no gaps in your plan that could hinder your special day. Many wedding coordinators offer consulting services.
"Wedding consultant" and "wedding planner" are used interchangeably, but are different functions. Some wedding consultants only advise you, while planners both advise and act on your behalf to manage some or all the planning process.
Wedding coordinator rates & factors
Wedding coordinator rates depend on several factors:
Type of support – The more assistance you need, the higher the cost. Hiring a day-of/month-of coordinator costs less but requires you to do most of the planning yourself. A full-service coordinator costs the most but removes most of the pre-wedding stress.
Wedding size and type – A small, simple wedding with a traditional rehearsal, ceremony, and reception requires less staffing than an extravagant, large-scale event with lots of extra features.
Location – Most coordinators in major cities charge more than those in small towns.
Coordinator experience – A wedding coordinator with years of experience and rave reviews charges more than a less experienced, lesser-known coordinator.
Duties and responsibilities – Costs increase as responsibilities do. Your day-of coordinator may not need close involvement in every area if the venue requires their on-site coordinator to oversee some aspects of the wedding.
Vender management – The number of vendors you need assistance with impacts the coordinator's fee. Partial planning costs less than full-service and typically includes day-of coordination and assistance with up to 3+ vendors.
Time spent on wedding – Wedding coordinator packages often specify a set number of hours for planning and another set for the wedding day, with more hours available at an additional cost, if needed.
Travel and accommodations – You may be responsible for your wedding coordinator's travel expenses if the wedding is outside their service area.
Assistants – The more assistants, the higher the cost. Many coordinator packages include a specified number of assistants on the wedding day. Some coordinators charge a separate hourly rate for each assistant needed.
Food and drink – Your catering budget should include meals and beverages for the coordinator and any assistants.
Wedding venue coordinators
Some wedding venues provide a coordinator who handles the venue-related aspects of the wedding, such as managing the event setup, overseeing the food and beverage service, and communicating with vendors on the wedding day.
Reasons to hire a day-of wedding coordinator even if your venue provides one:
A day-of coordinator you hire knows every detail of your wedding plan and is there for
you. A venue coordinator's primary job is to protect the venue and ensure events stay on schedule.
A venue coordinator typically does not communicate with your vendors before the wedding day.
A venue coordinator is not involved in the wedding details unrelated to the venue, such as hair and makeup, photography, or floral arrangements. Your day-of coordinator can be involved in both on-site and off-site aspects.
Some venues require a day-of wedding coordinator in addition to their on-site venue coordinator.
Frequently asked questions
What does a wedding coordinator do?
A wedding coordinator oversees the events of your wedding day to ensure they happen on time and without any issues. A day-of coordinator's duties include managing the timeline, directing the vendors, handling unexpected problems, and distributing final payments.
Most day-of wedding coordinators get involved at least 1 month before the wedding day, so they know all the moving parts and are familiar with your venue and vendors.
Do I need to hire a day-of wedding coordinator?
A day-of wedding coordinator ensures the seamless execution of all the wedding day events, allowing you to enjoy each moment without worrying about the details. If you've planned some or all your wedding DIY, a day-of coordinator reviews and confirms every detail is covered before the big day.
Consider a day-of coordinator if your wedding is large scale or at an untraditional venue requiring more guest direction or extensive setup and tear down.
How much to tip a wedding coordinator?
Wedding coordinators running their own business do not expect a tip. If their service exceeds your expectations, consider tipping 10% to 20% of the total cost, up to $500. Tip on-site wedding venue coordinators 15% to 20% of the food and drink fee, up to $500.
Other ways to show your appreciation include sending flowers, a gift, or writing a positive online review.
Include your coordinator's assistants if you choose to tip.
How to find and hire a wedding coordinator
Before hiring a wedding coordinator, be sure to:
Ask for referrals from friends and family.
Check out their reviews on Fash and Google.
Look for licensed or certified wedding planners who are members of one or more of the following organizations:
American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP)
Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC)
Association for Wedding Professionals International (AFWPI)
National Association of Wedding Professionals (NAWP)
Know your wedding budget.
Have a few conversations before hiring to make sure your personalities are a good fit.
Ask for references and contact them for their feedback.
Review all contract terms before signing.
Confirm the services your venue provides to determine which items you'll need outside assistance with.
Negotiate for additional services if their package does not.
Questions to ask a wedding coordinator before hiring
Are you available on my wedding date?
What experience do you have with my venue?
What size and type of weddings have you coordinated?
Do you offer a free consultation?
How far in advance from the wedding date do you get involved?
Do you coordinate multiple weddings on the same date?
Will you be there personally on my wedding day?
Will you have assistants on the wedding day? If so, is the assistant pay and tip included?
What are your policies for travel?
What is your preferred communication method (email/phone/text/video call)?
What services do you offer?
Do you have hourly rates?
Do you offer add-on services, and what do you charge for them?
Do you assist with legal paperwork, like the wedding license or permits?
Is set up and tear down included?
Are there any wedding aspects you do not have experience with where I will need additional assistance?