Planning a wedding in New Jersey is an exhilarating and intricate affair that necessitates cautious financial planning, as well as the help of seasoned experts. Couples often wonder “How much of your budget should a wedding planner cost?” There are many options to choose from including full-service wedding planners and day-of coordinators; therefore, understanding the expenses involved and how they fit into your entire wedding budget is essential.

In this comprehensive guide we will explore wedding planner costs and show you what you need to set aside for each segment of your New Jersey wedding.

Why Invest in a Wedding Planner?
Before we get down to figures, let us consider why it’s wise to hire an expert such as Well-Dressed Events for a successful day. A wedding planner or coordinator helps turn your dreams into reality while you relax knowing someone else is taking care of the many details associated with planning your big day. They also save you from making common mistakes and help you to find the right vendors for your style and budget, while also ensuring everything goes on smoothly during the actual day of your wedding. Regardless of if your plans involve having a fancy Hoboken reception or a simple at home marriage ceremony, getting hold of the correct planner is the first important step! 

Understanding Wedding Planner Costs
The costs of wedding planners in New Jersey vary significantly depending on the level of expertise and complexity of your wedding. Based on our experience, below is a good guide to wedding planner costs depending on the service type. 

A Full-service Wedding Planner: A full-service planner is perfect for couples who would like comprehensive support from beginning to end. Plan to spend anywhere from 10-20% of your entire wedding budget on this type of service. For a New Jersey wedding, that is $100,000, you will likely spend between $10,000-$20,000 for your full service wedding planner

Partial Planning Services: If some planning has already been done and your big vendors have been booked, then partial planning services may be the best choice for you. This type of planning service usually costs between 5-10% of your budget. So for the same wedding that costs $100,000, you can expect to spend between $5,000 - $10,000 on your partial planning service.  

The Day Of Coordinator: Couples that want to do most of the planning by themselves but still require someone who will run things on their behalf during the big day can benefit from hiring day-of coordinator as it offers a more cost-effective alternative to full and partial wedding planning. Prices for this service in New Jersey range anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 depending on experience, number of on-site hours, etc.

Hourly Consultations: In case you only seek occasional advice or assistance with specific tasks, sometimes some planners offer hourly rates varying between about $100 to $300 per hour.

Budget Breakdown by Wedding Category
To get a better understanding of how a wedding planner fits into your budget overall, let’s look at the typical costs for each main part of your wedding:

Venue and Catering (40-50% of Budget)
Venue and catering usually cost the most and take up between 40%-50% of the total budget. In New Jersey, prices paid for venues differ drastically based on location, size and amenities. Some venues are all-inclusive and include catering, on-site ceremony spaces, tables, chairs, linens and more. While other venues are simply a “raw space” where you are required to bring in an outside caterer and even basic rentals. 

Traditionally, an all-inclusive wedding venue will be the more affordable option and will help make your overall budget a bit easier to predict. If you are planning to rent a raw space like a converted factory, barn, etc, then hiring a full-service wedding planner is key to make sure no detail or budget line item goes overlooked.

Wedding Attire (5 to 8% of Budget)
The amount you spend on your wedding attire, including a wedding dress, groom’s suit or tuxedo, accessories and alterations will typically range between 5-8% of your budget but could certainly be more or less depending on your style. In New Jersey, the average cost of a wedding gown can range between $2,000- $15,000+ depending on the designer. A groom’s suit or tux can be found for $500- $2,000, again dependent on factors like style, designer and customization. Some other items such as veils, shoes, hair/makeup and jewelry may also be taken into account when computing the costs for attires and their total might go up to $1,000-$2000.

Photo and Video (8–12% of Budget)
Photography and videography have become major line items in most event budgets ranging from 8-12%. In New Jersey for example the cost of hiring a wedding photographer can vary between $5,000-$12,000+ depending on their experience, popularity and how long they will cover the wedding day for. You may need to add about another $4,000 – $6,000 for videography on top of this. Wedding content creators are also becoming very popular and can be used in addition to or in place of a videographer. Wedding content creators can typically cost anywhere from $1,000 - $3,000 depending on number of hours on site, length of Reels/TikToks created, etc.
Remember that an excellent wedding planner can help you find skilled photographers, videographers and content creators within your style and price range so that you can get maximum value.

Flowers and Decor (12-16% of Budget)
The florals and decor can take up 12-16% of your budget. If you plan to hold a wedding in New Jersey, then be prepared to spend $5,000+ on flowers including personal flowers, ceremony flowers, reception centerpieces as well as other décor. Prices are dependent on style, number of bridal party members, number of tables, season, etc. 
Your wedding planner can help you prioritize your floral budget and recommend the right florist for the job. 

Entertainment (6-18% of Budget)
Your party has got to rock! Live bands or DJs can make all the difference at your wedding reception. Wedding entertainment takes up 6-18% which means for a $100k wedding it translates into $6,000-$18,000 cost. A good DJ can be anywhere from $3,500 - $4,000 while hiring a live band could cost from $6,000 -$18,000+ depending on the number of pieces

Most DJs also offer services like lighting, photo booths and more which contribute to an increased budget.
 
Miscellaneous Expenses (2-5% of Budget)
Miscellaneous expenses involve wedding favors, stationary, transportation and accommodations for out-of-town guests. Usually, these costs are between 2 and 5% of your budget. 

A wedding planner will assist you to anticipate and keep track of smaller expenses that could be overlooked.

Additional Factors Influencing Wedding Planner Costs

The following factors can influence the prices charged by wedding planners in New Jersey:

Planner’s Experience: Experienced planners who are popular among clients tend to charge high fees compared to others. Nonetheless, their skills make things simpler during the preparation process and of course on the day of.
Wedding Complexity: The planner’s work load goes up when your wedding becomes complex such as having numerous events in multiple locations, or custom build outs like tents, etc.

Location: Your planner likely has a set distance that is included in their fee. anything above that distance may require an additional fee, as well as if the planner needs to rent a hotel or AirBNB. 

Season: Planning a wedding during peak season (usually spring and fall in New Jersey) might increase costs because vendors and venues will be highly sought after by many people who are getting married simultaneously.

Understanding Wedding Tiers
When planning a wedding, the scale and complexity of the event often dictate the need for professional assistance. Couples opting for high-end to luxury weddings typically benefit the most from hiring a planner. Here’s how to know which category you fall under:

Luxury Weddings
Description: These weddings are characterized by extravagant venues, top-tier vendors, custom décor, gourmet catering, live entertainment, and often, a large guest list. They may also include destination weddings, multi-day celebrations, and unique experiences.

Cost Range in NJ: $150,000 and up, with many luxury weddings in New Jersey costing upwards of $250,000.
High-End Weddings

Description: High-end weddings offer many luxury elements but with slightly less extravagance. These include upscale venues, premium vendors, designer attire, and elaborate décor. The guest experience is still very high, often featuring gourmet meals, custom entertainment, and high-end floral arrangements.

Cost Range in NJ: $75,000 to $150,000.

Mid-Range Weddings

Description: These weddings balance quality and cost, offering a nice venue, professional vendors, and personalized touches. They might include a traditional venue, a professional photographer, good quality catering, and some custom décor. The guest experience is comfortable but not overly lavish.

Cost Range in NJ: $30,000 to $75,000.

Budget Weddings
Description: Budget weddings focus on affordability, often with smaller guest lists, DIY elements, and cost-effective venues. These weddings may utilize local or non-traditional venues, simple décor, and basic catering options. The emphasis is on creating a meaningful experience within a limited budget.

Cost Range in NJ: $10,000 to $30,000.

Is a Wedding Planner Worth the Investment?

When it comes to a wedding planner, their worth is not only about organizing things. With an experienced organizer, you can avoid costly mistakes, find the right vendors for your style and budget and make sure your day goes as planned. A 2024 poll in New Jersey showed that people who engaged wedding planners said the planning process was more enjoyable and they were happier with how their weddings turned out.

When deciding on whether to hire a wedding planner or not, it’s essential that one considers the value they add to the entire experience. An excellent wedding planner will help bring alive your unique idea as well as managing logistics. They effortlessly sail through contracts intricacies, vendor discussions and unexpected issues leading into smooth running of your wedding. 

Budgeting Tips for Hiring a Wedding Planner
When drafting your wedding planner budget, consider the following things:

Define Your Priorities: Determine what parts of your wedding are most important to you and assign the funds accordingly. If you want a lot of help sourcing vendors at the beginning and a sound board throughout the planning process then investing in a full service planner is worth it.

Get Multiple Quotes: Do not hesitate to contact numerous wedding planners for quotations on their services and costs. This way, you will find someone who meshes with your overall goal and that you feel is good value for the money. 

Understand What’s Included: Make sure that you know exactly what services are part of the package offered by the planner like number of meetings, day-of hours, etc.

Customize Where Possible: Never be afraid to ask to create a custom package that meets your needs. Usually the set packages are just a guide to show you what’s possible and most popular, but they understand that no two weddings are the same!

Consider Off-Peak Weddings: if you have some flexibility about when you marry, try organizing your wedding during the off-peak season or on a weekday when many more wedding planners and vendors may be more willing to discount prices.

How Wedding Planners Help You Save Money
One of the largest benefits to hiring a wedding planner is their ability to save you money. Here is how they do it:
Vendor Relationships: The relationships that planners have developed with wedding vendors help them identify people in your style and budget quicker than if you weren’t using a planner.

Budget Management: A planner helps you stick to your budget so that you do not overspend in one area at the expense of another. They will advise where to save and where to splurge depending on what matters most to you.

Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Planning a wedding involves numerous details, any mistake can be costly. A professional planner can help you avoid common problems such as booking a vendor on the wrong date, ordering decor in wrong quantities, etc.

Time Savings: Planning a wedding can honestly feel like a full time job. A planner takes a lot of the time consuming tasks off your hands so you can focus on work, life and more! Helping you to also enjoy the planning process!

Tips for Finding the Right Wedding Planner in New Jersey
Research: Look for wedding planners like your own that have the same style, size and budget as you have or similar. Read reviews, look at portfolios, and ask for recommendations from friends, family and other vendors.
Ask the Right Questions: Wonder about their experience, what services they offer, how much their pricing is, and if they are available when interviewing potential planners.

Consider Compatibility: It’s important to find someone who has a similar approach and personality towards you as this person will act as your partner throughout the planning process.

Understand the Contract: Ensure you comprehend everything that is being charged for in the planner’s fee and also make sure to ask if there are any extra costs involved.

Ready to Start Planning Your New Jersey Wedding?
Those interested in starting to plan their New Jersey dream weddings should consider involving a local wedding planner who’ll be with them through each step of this process. With a planner, it becomes possible to design a memorable wedding day that is as stress-free as possible.

For personalized help and guidance with creating your New Jersey wedding budget, Well-Dressed Events has got your back! Our budgeting service is included in our full-service wedding planning and coordination packages! Contact us today to schedule a call!

How Much of Your Budget Should a Wedding Planner Cost in New Jersey? A Comprehensive Guide

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Wondering how much to budget for a wedding planner in New Jersey? This guide explains pricing tiers and what you get at each level.