Wedding Services
Let’s Break it Down, Because Transparency Matters
Wedding Planner
A comprehensive planning service that guides couples through logistics, vendor selection, budgeting, guest management, transportation, lodging, timeline creation from start to finish and MUCH more.
Acts as the couple’s advocate, ensuring all details align with their vision.
Typically works for 10+ months on the wedding, managing everything from contracts to guest experiences.
May include some design assistance but primarily focuses on planning and execution.
Let’s DEFINE the role
Wedding Designer
Focuses solely on the visual aesthetics and overall experience of the wedding.
Develops color palettes, layouts, décor concepts, paper direction, custom installations, florals, rentals, lighting, and ambiance and more.
Works closely with florists, rental companies, and production teams to bring the vision to life.
Manages design vendor logistics, contracts, or timelines often in collaboration with planning services.
Ira & Lucy Offers Planning & Design from concept to full production implementation. We do not offer basic “coordination” services.
What is a “Day-of” Wedding Coordinator? (a misleading term)
Often confused with a true Wedding Coordinator, but "Day-of" Coordination doesn’t actually exist.
A coordinator cannot just step in on the wedding day and expect to run an event without preparation.
The correct term is “Wedding Coordinator” or “Month-of Coordinator,” as they need weeks of prep to organize vendor details and finalize logistics.
Hiring someone for only the day of is unrealistic and often results in disaster. We do not offer coordination service as we have learned there is too much out of our control that doesn’t allow us to ensure a quality experience for our clients.
Determining pricing factors
Experience & Expertise
Years in the industry
Level of expertise in design, logistics, and vendor management
Reputation and demand
Services Offered
Full-service planning vs. partial planning vs. month-of coordination
Additional services like event design, content creation, or styling
Customization level and hands-on involvement
Location & Market Demand
Cost of living and pricing standards in the area
Destination weddings vs. local weddings
Competition and market saturation
PNW and Rocky Mountain Region are NOT the same as the South, CA or New England OR European/Destination weddings
Size & Complexity
Guest count and logistics involved
Venue complexity and number of locations
Cultural or religious elements requiring specialized planning
Vendor Relationships
Exclusive vendor partnerships or discounts offered
Whether the planner is handling vendor sourcing, negotiations, and management
Level of Customization
High-end, luxury, or celebrity clientele often require more custom work
Design-heavy weddings requiring intricate details and unique rentals
Time Commitment
Amount of time invested in each event (some planners take fewer weddings to provide high-touch service)
Seasonal demand and peak wedding months
Overhead Costs
Staff salaries, office space, software, insurance, and marketing
Travel and accommodation for destination weddings
Add-On Services
Web design, branding, and marketing services for wedding businesses (which you also offer!)
Content creation, social media management, or event branding
It’s Our Job to Educate & Guide our Clients on Reasonable Expectations
What many people expect to pay without realizing:Low-Priced Planning Fees
(less experienced/beginner planners & designers):
Starting at $8,000 per wedding (10 weddings)
Total revenue: $8,000 × 10 = $80,000
Hourly rate before expenses: $80,000 ÷ 1,500 = $53 per hour
30% tax: $80,000 × 0.30 = $24,000
Take-home after tax: $80,000 - $24,000 = $56,000
Total expenses: $27,500
Net profit after all expenses: $56,000 - $27,500 = $28,500
Monthly take-home over the year: $28,500 ÷ 12 = $2,375 per month
Hourly rate after taxes & expenses: $28,500 ÷ 1,500 = $19 per hour
💡 At $8,000 per wedding, planners are taking home around $19/hour, which is barely above minimum wage in many states and still far from a sustainable income for a business owner. They are forced to take a high quantity of weddings, stretching them thin and having to produce more “rinse and repeat” style weddings.
What the mid-luxury/premier planners actually are:Sustainable-Priced Planning Fees
(experienced planners & designers):
Starting at $20,000 per wedding (5 weddings)
Total revenue: $20,000 × 5 = $100,000
Hourly rate before expenses: $100,000 ÷ 750 = $133 per hour
30% tax: $100,000 × 0.30 = $30,000
Take-home after tax: $100,000 - $30,000 = $70,000
Total expenses: $10,000
Net profit after all expenses: $70,000 - $10,000 = $60,000
Monthly take-home over the year: $60,000 ÷ 12 = $5,000 per month
Hourly rate after taxes & expenses: $60,000 ÷ 750 = $80 per hour
💡 At $20,000 per wedding, planners are earning a sustainable and profitable income, allowing them to reinvest in their business, avoid burnout, and create a better experience for clients. These planners are able to produce high quality, exceptional guest experiences, publication worthy designs and highly bespoke planning services.
Estimate between 20%-30% of your total wedding budget.
Madison Maltby Photography