What Should You Charge for Event Planning? 2026 Pricing Guide

What should you charge for event planning in 2026? Average rates range $1,000–$5,000 for event coordination. See typical job costs, what affects pricing, and build a professional proposal.

Event Planning Cost at a Glance

$1,000–$5,000 for event coordination

Typical market range. Actual costs vary by region, job scope, and provider experience.

Common Event Planning Service Prices

Service Typical Price Range
Day-of coordinator $800–$2,000
Full-service wedding planning $3,000–$8,000+
Corporate event planning $1,500–$8,000
Partial planning (6-month) $1,500–$4,000

Prices are U.S. market averages for 2026. Local rates vary.

What Affects Event Planning Pricing

  • Event size — guest count drives vendor coordination complexity
  • Service level — day-of vs. partial planning vs. full service
  • Planner experience and market
  • Event complexity — multi-vendor events need more coordination
  • Geographic market — major cities have higher planning fees

Ready to send a proposal?

Use our free event planning proposal template. Sample proposal, section-by-section tips, and what clients want to see.

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Event Planning Pricing FAQ

What does a day-of wedding coordinator actually do?

Day-of coordinators manage logistics on the event day: vendor arrivals, timeline, setup, transitions, and troubleshooting. Most also meet with you 1–2 times beforehand and review contracts. They don't select vendors — that's full-service planning.

How much should I budget for an event planner?

Event planners typically charge 10–20% of the total event budget, a flat fee, or an hourly rate. For a $30,000 wedding, expect $3,000–$6,000 for full planning. Day-of coordination for any budget runs $800–$2,000.

Do I really need an event planner for a corporate event?

For events over 50 guests or with multiple vendors, yes. A skilled coordinator prevents logistical failures, manages vendor relationships, and lets you focus on hosting — not operations. The cost is small relative to venue and catering.

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What BidMaker handles

  • AI writes the proposal from your description
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