PRICINGOur services are typically offered in one of four packages: Full-Service, Partial-Service, Coordination or Select. Pricing varies based upon anticipated attendance, service level, and event specifics. We are typically paid based upon a percentage of the overall expenditures of the event, but also offer a flat fee and hourly rate in some cases. All prices/quotes are all-inclusive and completely transparent. We also offer a FREE Initial Consultation as well as discounts for "off-season" and "non-Saturday" events as well as for veterans and repeat customers.
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VALUE OF A PLANNER
It may sound counter-intuitive, but spending money on a wedding/event planner WILL ultimately save you money! Not only will a planner ensure that you stick to your budgets and help you avoid overspending, we can also hook you up with vendors who are within your price range—and get you discounts on certain products or services. Not to mention the value associated with your time and your ability to relax and enjoy the event.
FEE STRUCTURE
Like all the services we provide, our fee structure is customized to each specific client and the services we actually provide for them. This is important as it prevents you from paying a cookie cutter price for services you do not receive. Our fee structure is built on the following components:
Our Full-Service (Planning) and Partial-Service (Management) packages typically work either with a "percentage of expenditures" or "flat fee" pricing methodology. Whereas our Coordination (month-of) package uses either an hourly-rate or flat-fee structure and our Select (specific) package employs a flat-fee format
1) Hourly Rate
Ask yourself what you think you are worth and decide on a set hourly rate. The amount of experience you have will play a role in your decision. A common hourly rate can fall within $25/hr for a new planner, and go upwards of $100+/hr for top event planners with amazing portfolios.
Typically you can charge about 30% more for a corporate event than a social event. Adjusting your prices based on the market you are serving (social vs corporate) is an acceptable practice.
2) Flat Fee
Charging a flat fee is the most common and preferred method of billing your client. With a flat fee, there are no surprises to you or your client. Once you discuss the fee amount with honesty and transparency, you and the client can focus solely on making the event as great as possible.
When you outline your flat fee it is normal to charge a fee for your services, plus a percentage based on the total vendor fees.
A standard vendor commission percentage fee is 10-15% so for example if a caterer charges $3000 for an event, your fee would be $300-450 for locating and coordinating that particular vendor.
The above fee structure goes for both social and corporate events.
In order to protect yourself financially, it is recommended to receive a 50% deposit upfront, and the remaining 50% within two weeks of the event.
To calculate what your flat fee will be, you should make your best estimate on the number of hours you will put in toward the planning; plus any expenses you will have like gas, printing, supplies, equipment, etc; plus build in a 10 – 20% buffer in case the scope of the event goes over the initial details and this can be your flat fee that you charge.
3) Percentage of Expendatures
Some planners prefer to charge clients a percentage of their total event budget. The biggest difficulty with this method of charging is to present it to your client in a way that they will approve it. If you think you can run this by them without the client questioning your billing method then this is a possibility you should consider. Typical percentage amounts are 15 – 20% of the event budget. You can adjust it lower if you feel necessary.
4) Day-of Coordination
At some point in your career, you will be asked to do a day-of coordination. These typically happen for weddings but sometimes for special events too. When a client wants to hire you for day-of service, it means they have chosen their own vendors and work with them directly while you come in on the day of the event to make sure it runs smoothly.
You can charge either by the hour or a flat fee for day-of coordination. You should assume 8 – 10 hours of work on the day of the event (multiply that by your hourly rate to get a flat fee), but do not forget the preparation you will have to do.
We like to say you should prepare for at least one month to familiarize yourself fully with all aspects of the event you are coordinating. The extra preparation prior to the event may take you an additional 10 – 20 hours so be sure you take this into account when figuring out your fee.
Since day-of coordination events are less expensive for the client, they have grown in popularity in recent years due to a slower economy. So even if you do not anticipate pitching this service, you may be asked for this by a client.
- Services to be provided
- Anticipate attendance
- Event specifics
Our Full-Service (Planning) and Partial-Service (Management) packages typically work either with a "percentage of expenditures" or "flat fee" pricing methodology. Whereas our Coordination (month-of) package uses either an hourly-rate or flat-fee structure and our Select (specific) package employs a flat-fee format
1) Hourly Rate
Ask yourself what you think you are worth and decide on a set hourly rate. The amount of experience you have will play a role in your decision. A common hourly rate can fall within $25/hr for a new planner, and go upwards of $100+/hr for top event planners with amazing portfolios.
Typically you can charge about 30% more for a corporate event than a social event. Adjusting your prices based on the market you are serving (social vs corporate) is an acceptable practice.
2) Flat Fee
Charging a flat fee is the most common and preferred method of billing your client. With a flat fee, there are no surprises to you or your client. Once you discuss the fee amount with honesty and transparency, you and the client can focus solely on making the event as great as possible.
When you outline your flat fee it is normal to charge a fee for your services, plus a percentage based on the total vendor fees.
A standard vendor commission percentage fee is 10-15% so for example if a caterer charges $3000 for an event, your fee would be $300-450 for locating and coordinating that particular vendor.
The above fee structure goes for both social and corporate events.
In order to protect yourself financially, it is recommended to receive a 50% deposit upfront, and the remaining 50% within two weeks of the event.
To calculate what your flat fee will be, you should make your best estimate on the number of hours you will put in toward the planning; plus any expenses you will have like gas, printing, supplies, equipment, etc; plus build in a 10 – 20% buffer in case the scope of the event goes over the initial details and this can be your flat fee that you charge.
3) Percentage of Expendatures
Some planners prefer to charge clients a percentage of their total event budget. The biggest difficulty with this method of charging is to present it to your client in a way that they will approve it. If you think you can run this by them without the client questioning your billing method then this is a possibility you should consider. Typical percentage amounts are 15 – 20% of the event budget. You can adjust it lower if you feel necessary.
4) Day-of Coordination
At some point in your career, you will be asked to do a day-of coordination. These typically happen for weddings but sometimes for special events too. When a client wants to hire you for day-of service, it means they have chosen their own vendors and work with them directly while you come in on the day of the event to make sure it runs smoothly.
You can charge either by the hour or a flat fee for day-of coordination. You should assume 8 – 10 hours of work on the day of the event (multiply that by your hourly rate to get a flat fee), but do not forget the preparation you will have to do.
We like to say you should prepare for at least one month to familiarize yourself fully with all aspects of the event you are coordinating. The extra preparation prior to the event may take you an additional 10 – 20 hours so be sure you take this into account when figuring out your fee.
Since day-of coordination events are less expensive for the client, they have grown in popularity in recent years due to a slower economy. So even if you do not anticipate pitching this service, you may be asked for this by a client.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Our on-boarding process typically begins with an initial consultation which we offer to each new client free of charge, either virtually or in person. This initial phase is focused on understanding the vision of our client, getting to know one another and determining a comfortable fit. Once we understand the outcomes desired by our client we put together a detailed proposal of how we can bring this vision to life. This proposal is then considered by the client and adjusted if necessary to meets their specific needs.
Once we have reached an agreement on how to proceed, we formalize our relationship with a Professional Services Agreement executed by both parties. Some of the standard terms and conditions include:
- Division of Labor
- Timelines
- Representations
- Payment / Initial Deposit
- Cancellations
- Additional Services
- Conflict Resolution
Once we have reached an agreement on how to proceed, we formalize our relationship with a Professional Services Agreement executed by both parties. Some of the standard terms and conditions include:
- Division of Labor
- Timelines
- Representations
- Payment / Initial Deposit
- Cancellations
- Additional Services
- Conflict Resolution