I suspect that most of us don’t really know our area’s going rate for wedding and event planning services. So it’s little wonder that we’re constantly anxious about whether we’re overcharging or undercharging. Often it feels like one big guessing game!
Today I want to try and change that, at least a little bit. But let’s have some fun with it. (Humor me, please.) Below are five different services as well as the range in price we here in New York City charge for them. In the comments, please tell me what you think your area typically charges for these same services. Hopefully, all of us will learn something!
1. Wedding and Event Planning Services: The going rate here in NYC can be anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000, depending on an event’s complexity.
2. Wedding and Event Food and Beverage: The going rate here in NYC can be anywhere from $125 a person to $750. This includes servers.
3. Wedding and Event Invitations: The going rate here in NYC can be anywhere from $10 to $250 per invitation. Yes, folks, those Swarovski crystal Save the Dates can add up!
4. Wedding Cake: The going rate here in NYC can be anywhere from $500 to $20,000.
5. Wedding Bouquets and Reception Flowers: The going rate here in NYC can be anywhere from $5,000 to $500,000.
What do these same wedding and event services cost in your area? Let’s help each other out. Please share!
And don’t forget to send in your questions to dearpreston@prestonbailey.com
Every Tuesday I will respond to a reader right here on my blog!
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Sonja
June 9, 2011
I think I need to move to NYC, there is very few people in Spokane WA that will even dream of paying those rates
Ally
June 9, 2011
Wow! First, I’m moving to New York.
I am currently a planner for a fine dining restaurant in St. Pete Beach, FL. We do everything. From wedding planning (about to take Preston Bailey’s course!), to venue, food and beverage, beach ceremony rentals (arches, chairs, etc.), and we have specific vendors we use for flowers, photography, and wedding cakes. Because of this our prices range depending on how many people are coming and how much they want to spend (typically between $80 to $120 per person for reception and the ceremony range is a bit more). Our least expensive wedding planning package is $600.
Our selling point is that we can do everything for them and that makes their destination wedding a bit less stressful. However, our prices don’t match up with those in New York, which I kind of expected.
Angela
June 9, 2011
NY is the place to be… think I need to move over!!
Julia Hewitt
June 9, 2011
It is not much different in Los Angeles. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa Schneider
June 9, 2011
Washington, DC is very similar to New York.
Jose Ortiz
June 9, 2011
Curiosity…
Why they don’t include good wedding cinematography?
That is a permanent wedding investment …
Jose
allyson magda
June 9, 2011
I’m happy I’m already married!!! But I have to say, I love being in the LOVE business and capturing it all for future generations of each family!
joana tomova
June 9, 2011
WoW! I’m coming to NY!!!!
1. Wedding and Event Planning Services: Bulgaria from $400 to $2000.
2. Wedding and Event Food and Beverage: Bulgaria from $30 a person to $200.
3. Wedding and Event Invitations: Bulgaria: from $1 to $40 per invitation.
4. Wedding Cake: Bulgaria: from $100 to $2 000.
5. Wedding Bouquets and Reception Flowers: Bulgaria: from $250 to $20 000- but those are very rare
Tia Paul
June 9, 2011
On average, Maryland’s prices are just slightly cheaper. However, I would expect that there is a slight increase in NYC because the overall cost of living there is slightly higher than ours.
pearl parasol
June 9, 2011
This is rough and based on the two extremes. We have a lot of vendors that cater to the middle class market, and few to the luxury~ but the number keeps growing as Canada hits the maps more (in the wedding industry anyway)
Vancouver, BC Canada
1. Wedding and Event Planning Services: from $500 to $10,000
2. Wedding and Event Food and Beverage: from $30 to $200 a head
3. Wedding and Event Invitations: from $5 to $35 per invite
4. Wedding Cake: from $ 300- $3,000
5. Wedding Bouquets and Reception Flowers: $500 to $6,000
It’s interesting to compare!
desertrose
June 9, 2011
Georgetown, Guyana
1. Wedding and Event Planning Services: from $1000 – $2000
2. Wedding and Event Food and Beverage: from $25 to $100 a head
3. Wedding and Event Invitations: from $5 to $15 per invite
4. Wedding Cake: from $ 300- $3,000
5. Wedding Bouquets and Reception Flowers: $150-1000
Josenni
June 10, 2011
Speaking of someone’s wedding in NJ.
Floral arrangements (w/ discount), a little less than $4,000.
No wedding planner used.
Sumit Dang
June 10, 2011
Sir Preston,
Here in India wedding budget in some cities is around $1000000 (5cr-Indian rupee)
people spend lavishly during wedding functions specially in my city- New Delhi
India’s Big Fat Weddings is famous for there Color, Flavour, Dhol-Music, Lights, Rangoli
India has got the potential for you sir.
Occasions 2 Remember
June 10, 2011
I only wish we had clients with budgets like that in Metro Detroit! Here are average costs for a basic wedding in our market:
Wedding/Event Planning Fee: $3000 – $10,000
Food & Beverage: $50 – $125 per person
Invitations: $3.00 – $5.00 pp
Wedding Cake: $500 – $1000
Wedding Bouquets & Reception Flowers: $3000
Lauren
June 10, 2011
Dallas is a bit less…but close. Everything’s bigger (and over the top) in Texas!
Nicole Goodyer
June 10, 2011
We are regarded as a “rural” area, actually a beautiful beach location 1.5 hours south of Sydney. Many Sydneysiders come this way for weekend destination weddings that cost the same as one day in a CBD hotel . As floral designers we see a trend that equates to only about $10.00 per person budgeted for florals (average 150 – 200 guests) How we would love to have the opportunity to work on a big budget event!
Maestro Preston can you share any anicdots or behind the scene set-up photos from something like the Packers weddings?
Doyin
June 10, 2011
Houston is not as high but not too far away.
Nishaka
June 11, 2011
I need to move to New York as well!!!
In North Carolina…
1. Wedding and Event Planning Services (Averages)
*Full Service $2,000 and up
*Month of Coordination/Event Day: $800 and up
2. Wedding and Event Food and Beverage: from $25 and up
3. Wedding and Event Invitations: from $2 per invite and up
4. Wedding Cake: from $500 and up
5. Wedding Bouquets and Reception Flowers: $800 and up
afcpam
June 13, 2011
Wouldn’t I LOVE to get these prices! I live in Tennessee and do mostly higher end weddings, so you will gasp at our rates:
Wedding Design Services – 10-25% of total bill, depending upon hours involved
Wedding & Event Food and Beverages – I don’t provide this service, but rates are from $9.00-$57.00 per person.
Wedding & Event Invitations – We have a lot of DIY in our area, but $2.00 – $5.00
Wedding Cake – $300 – $1,200
Wedding Bouquets and Reception Flowers – $3,000-$21,000. Our average is $6,000-7,000
Navjot Kaur
June 13, 2011
Chicago is not as expensive as New york but the cost is the same for the vendors. I keep on improving my portfolio and believe that continous effort and willingness to do better is the very step getting closer to my dream.
Amy Morelli
June 28, 2011
Preston.. I LOVE your blog and I am so happy you posted this BLOG.. It is so important for Brides and other Vendors to know what the cost of things is.. I am a Custom Invitation Design Studio and you would be shocked to know how many brides come to me with an unrealistic budget.. They all want, silk, crystals, ribbons and/or lace but they don’t want to pay over $5.00 an invitation.. I am in Florida, but most of my weddings are national and international. And our invitations start at $12.00 each and can go up to $100 each depending on complexity. Thanks for writing this, I reposted it!!! Education of the ever changing industry is soooo important
YOUR NAME
May 1, 2012
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