How Much Does a Wedding Planner Earn?

I often get asked how much a wedding planner can expect to earn in his or her first year of business.

According to Salary.com, the median expected salary for a typical Meeting/Event Planner in the United States is $51,262. SalaryList.com reports a similar amount. These are average figures that factor in new planners who earn relatively little, to experienced planners who achieve a premium for their services.

Independent wedding planners are self-employed business people who work for a flat service fee or for a percentage of the total wedding cost.

Budget-conscious brides could find a planner for as little as $500 if they hunt high and low, but like anything, they’ll get what they pay for. More elaborate, high society weddings attract higher-charging planners who are generally worth every penny or they wouldn’t be pitching at that level.

If you, as the planner, know you can get by on an annual earning of $50,000, that’s great. Congratulations. But if you’re like 90 percent of the population that would love to earn some icing on the cake for very little effort, the “The Wedding Professional’s Guide: Make More Money (For No Extra Effort)” is the guide for you.

I wrote it in response to hundreds of brides wanting advice on how much they could expect to pay for a wedding planner. Brides are becoming more and more savvy in this economy, so it’s important that you, the planner and professional, stay ahead of their needs. By all means pitch your services at a rate they can afford, but don’t lose out on income opportunities in other areas. If you are looking for easy and new ways to improve your income, this guide is exactly for you.