In the United States, a wedding planner earns $41,000 on average. The mean for Canadian wedding planners stands at C$40,322 ($32,1148 USD), while those in the United Kingdom make 20,000 ($27,038 USD) on a mean basis. Wedding planners fetch on the mean AU$47,191 ($36,962 USD) in Australia, NZD$103,786 ($73,674 USD) in New Zealand, INR270,000 ($4,250 USD) in India, and R260,308 ($21,009 USD) in South Africa.
How Much Does a Wedding Planner Make per Year by State?
| Wedding Planner Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa |
| Hourly Pay | $19.71 | C$19.39 | £9.62 | AU$22.69 | NZD$50 | INR129.81 | R125 |
| Annual Pay | $41,000 | C$40,322 | £20,000 | AU$113,907 | NZD$103,786 | INR270,000 | R260,308 |
Wedding Planner Salary Influencing Factors
As wedding planners occupy self-employed status in many cases, the number of clients and fees charged affect their pay and the viability of their businesses. Location in well-populated communities with large numbers of couples or those who can afford wedding planners also enhances pay prospects. On average, more experience leads to higher pay for wedding planners.
1. Location
Wedding planners typically increase their earnings through locating in large cities rather than rural areas. In the former, residents tend to earn more and have available income to spend on a wedding planner. Population also generates potential clients.
In Cape Town, a wedding planner can expect pay to run above the South African national mean, at R281,923. According to SalaryExpert, earnings for those in Johannesburg rise to R346,992 on a mean basis. For those in Wellington, New Zealand, salaries average NZD$104,423, slightly above the national mean.
How Much Does a Wedding Planner Make in the US?
| Wedding Planner Salary US | Per Year | Per Hour |
| Minimum | $24,229 | $11.65 |
| Maximum | $73,964 | $35.56 |
| Bonus | Up to $19,574 | $9.41 |
| Overtime | N/A | $5.15 to $48.94 |
| Total Pay | $24,229 to $81,673 |
How Much Does a Wedding Planner Make in Canada?
| Wedding Planner Salary Canada | Per Year | Per Hour |
| Minimum | C$16,570 | C$7.97 |
| Maximum | C60,820 | C$29.24 |
| Bonus | C$500 | C$0.24 |
| Overtime | N/A | C$30 |
| Total Pay | C$21,418 to C$61,823 |
How Much Does a Wedding Planner Make in the UK?
| Wedding Planner Salary UK | Per Year | Per Hour |
| Minimum | £17,000 | £8.17 |
| Maximum | £25,000 | £12.02 |
| Bonus | N/A | N/A |
| Overtime | N/A | N/A |
| Total Pay | £17,000 to £25,000 |
How Much Does a Wedding Planner Make in Australia?
| Wedding Planner Salary Australia | Per Year | Per Hour |
| Minimum | AU$38,541 | AU$18.53 |
| Maximum | AU$70,069 | AU$33.69 |
| Bonus | N/A | N/A |
| Overtime | N/A | N/A |
| Total Pay | AU$38,541 to AU$74,350 |
How Much Does a Wedding Planner Make in New Zealand?
| Wedding Planner Salary New Zealand | Per Year | Per Hour |
| Minimum | NZD$73,547 | NZD$35.36 |
| Maximum | NZD$128,707 | NZD$61.88 |
| Bonus | NZD$4,214 | NZD$2.03 |
| Overtime | N/A | N/A |
| Total Pay | NZD$73,547 to NZD$132,921 |
How Much Does a Wedding Planner Make in India?
| Wedding Planner Salary India | Per Year | Per Hour |
| Minimum | INR120,000 | INR57.69 |
| Maximum | INR665,000 | INR319.71 |
| Bonus | INR20,347 | INR9.78 |
| Overtime | N/A | N/A |
| Total Pay | INR120,000 to INR780,000 |
How Much Does a Wedding Planner Make in South Africa?
| Wedding Planner Salary South Africa | Per Year | Per Hour |
| Minimum | R185,876 | R89.36 |
| Maximum | R325,284 | R156.39 |
| Bonus | R10,567 | R5.08 |
| Overtime | N/A | N/A |
| Total Pay | R185,876 to R335,851 |
2. Experience
According to Pay Scale, new wedding planners make $40,000 on a mean basis. The mean jumps to $49,000 for planners who accumulate between five and ten years of experience. At ten,to 20 years in the occupation, wedding planners average $50,000. The mean declines to $42,,000 for those with 20 years of experience. At that stage, small numbers generally remain in wedding planning.
The National Careers Service reports that “starters” earn between £17,000 and £20,000. For experienced planners, pay averages £25,000. Those deemed “highly experienced” can fetch more than £25,000 annually.
According to SalaryExpert, new wedding planners in New Zealand start at NZD$73,547 as a mean pay. With experience of at least eight years, the mean earnings jump to NZD$128,707. In South Africa, an entry-level wedding planner can anticipate a mean pay of R185,876, while one who achieves senior-level experience can expect to make, on a mean basis, R325,284.
3. Industry
The wedding planning industry contains a large percentage of self-employed individuals and assistants who may work with wedding planning companies. Owners of these businesses can set their own rates, while assistants may earn in some cases close to or just above minimum wage. Many on staff with wedding planners may work part-time, which might explain generally low rates of job benefits such as retirement and health care.
Within the industry, wedding planners may set fees based on the level and extent of services. At one end, hourly planners who may offer services for the day of the wedding may charge from $100 to $200 per hour or $400 to $800 for the day, says GroupTravel.org. Wedding planners affording full service, including destination settings, finding venues and vendors, planning group activities for guests and for the couple’s honeymoon and coordinating rehersals and the ceremony, may command a minimum of $3,000 to $5,000. For full-service planners, typical fees run ten to 20 percent of the wedding’s cost.
Schedule & Working Hours
Weddings primarily take place on weekends, mostly Saturdays. According to an “Easy Weddings” 2016 survey, 62 percent of respondents’ weddings in Australia occurred on Saturdays. At 15 percent, Fridays were the second most popular day. Roughly one out of nine ceremonies happened on Sundays.
A planner’s typical schedule also encompasses weekdays. During these times, planners meet with couples and contact florists, bakers, wedding officiants and caterers. Office hours also include time reserving venues for the wedding and reception.
For wedding planners, the peak of their weddings occur in warmer weather, generally between April and September. As reported by the Small Business Accelerator Program of the University of British Columbia, a “Weddingbells’ Annual Reader Survey” says that nearly one out of two couples in Canada in 2013 were married between July and September.
Bonuses & Benefits
From commissions, wedding planners in the United States earn between $1,500 and $30,000. Profit-sharing reaches $25,500. However, only 36 percent report to Pay Scale having medical coverage. For dental, the coverage rate is 22 percent. Approximately 16 percent of wedding planners enjoy vision care as a benefit.
Among Canada’s wedding planners, 38 percent have each medical coverage and dental coverage, but only one in four of these workers enjoy vision benefits.
In Australia, wedding planners collect on a mean basis $1,087 from profit-sharing. However,only nine percent have medical benefits. Pay Scale reports that none in that country enjoy vision or dental care as job benefits. According to PayScale, India does not have wedding planners that receive health benefits.
For South Africa, one out of three wedding planners get medical coverage and none report having vision or dental benefits.
Career Outlook
The prospects for employment or having a successful business in wedding planning will turn on the number of marriages and especially the income of prospective couples or their families. Declines in disposable income in previous years have lowered the demand for wedding planners as couples and families try to control wedding budgets.
Money considerations and technology have led couples increasingly to plan their own ceremonies. Confetti Celebrations states that nearly 50 percent of couples in the United Kingdom created decorations themselves and four out of ten couples prepared their own wedding cake. Nearly 56 percent of brides crafted their own invitations and other stationary for the wedding. According to Market Research, brides call upon Pinterest at a 64 percent rate for wedding ideas.
Education World India presents a more promising outlook for wedding planners in India. The publication cites a growing interest of non-resident Indians (NRI) in using the country as a backdrop for ceremonies. With limited time and contacts, nuclear families in India and other places may rely on wedding planners to handle details in preparing for the ceremony.
Aspiring wedding planners normally should gain experience working for an event planning company or in a large hotel, convention center or other large meeting place. Having arranged large-scale events may help planners attract couples for their ceremonies.
Conclusion
Earnings for wedding planners accumulate through building a client base or serving on the staff of an established company. For entrepreneurial planners, this involves gaining experience and working in markets with strong populations and incomes. To build business, wedding planners must also convince couples to opt for the convenience of their services rather than trying to plan their own weddings.
