Short answer: in Orlando, most couples will see day-of coordination quoted somewhere around $1,500 to $2,500, and full-service planning anywhere from about $5,000 to $12,000, with big and multi-day weddings going higher. The real question isn't "how much is a planner," it's "how much will it cost me if I don't have one."
Let me break it down the way I'd explain it to a couple on a Zoom.
The three levels of help, and what they usually cost
| Level | What you get | What Orlando couples usually see quoted |
|---|---|---|
| Day-of coordination | Your plan, run on the day: timeline, vendors, ceremony cues | About $1,500 to $2,500 |
| Month-of coordination | Takes over 4 to 8 weeks out: confirms vendors, builds the timeline, runs the day | Usually between day-of and full planning |
| Full planning | Budget, venue, vendors, design, family logistics, and the day itself | About $5,000 to $12,000+ |
These ranges come from published Orlando price lists and cost guides, and they vary a lot. National surveys put the average planner fee much lower, around $2,100, but that average mixes in small weddings and day-of-only bookings. For a large or cultural wedding in Central Florida, plan on the higher end.
Want planning, photo and film from one team? See the Marvelous Experience →
What actually moves the price
Guest count. 80 guests and 350 guests are different jobs. More guests means more vendors, more seating, more food timing and more people to move.
Number of days. A multi-day wedding (a maticoor (matikor) or mehndi night, the ceremony, the reception, maybe a kangan) is really three or four events. Each one needs its own setup, timeline and vendor schedule.
How early they're involved. A planner who starts 14 months out is shaping the budget and vendor choices. One who starts 6 weeks out is cleaning up. The earlier they start, the more they can save you.
Design work. If your planner is also handling decor direction, mandap or altar design and the look of the room, that's more hours.
It also helps to know what the other vendors usually cost, so your budget is realistic from the start. In Cynthia's experience in Central Florida, a wedding DJ runs about $1,500 to $3,000, a basic decor setup for a single-day wedding about $8,000, and even one simple backdrop about $2,000 to $3,000. "You're not just paying for their inventory," she says. "You're paying for their time, their labor, their skill, and their gas to bring everything over. That's the same for every vendor."
Family logistics. Two families, two sets of traditions, relatives flying in, and lots of people contributing. That takes real time, and it's often the hardest part of the job.
Why a planner isn't the line to cut
Here's what I tell couples. A planner pays for part of themselves:
- They stop expensive mistakes. The wrong venue contract, a vendor who isn't insured, a timeline that pushes your band into overtime.
- They know who's good. And who doesn't show up on time.
- They protect your day. Without one, the person running your wedding is your mom, your sister or you.
- They keep the budget honest. Cynthia sets a budget for every category, then holds it with you: "If we go over budget on one item, we have to come down on another. You're not going to be stuck with a massive bill at the end you weren't anticipating. Nothing's going to slide under the radar."
- They track the payments. Most vendors are on payment plans. A planner keeps every due date in view so nobody gets paid late and nothing gets held up on the day.
If your budget is tight, cut guests before you cut coordination. I go deeper on this in Do I Really Need a Wedding Planner?
How to tell if a quote is fair
Ask every planner:
- How many weddings like mine have you run? (Same size, same traditions.)
- What's included, and how many hours are you on site on the day?
- Do you bring an assistant?
- Are you insured?
- When do you start, and how often will we meet?
- What happens if the timeline slips?
A cheap quote that doesn't include an assistant, a walkthrough or a timeline isn't cheap. It's incomplete.
A fair price is only half of it. Cynthia's advice for choosing between planners: "Go with who you trust, who you feel comfortable with, and who you believe can best serve you. Sit down and meet the person. Don't just pick them based on their website or a recommendation. It needs to be an inner feeling."
What we charge at Marvelous Moments
I'll be upfront:
- Wedding planning with Cynthia is a custom package. Full planning, month-of and day-of coordination are all available, and you can build your own on a free Zoom. We don't publish one set price, because there are too many variables: how many guests, where you're having it, how many days, how many traditions. We hop on a Zoom, hear the details, and quote what your wedding actually needs.
- The Marvelous Experience (coordination, photo and film from one team): from $10,000, going up with guest count and number of days.
- Photo + film only: from $6,500 for one day, or $9,500 for a cultural weekend.
What makes us different is that Cynthia leads our photo and film team on the day. So the planning and the pictures come from the same plan, and nothing falls between two vendors.
Common questions
How much does a wedding planner cost in Orlando? Day-of coordination usually runs about $1,500 to $2,500, and full planning about $5,000 to $12,000, with larger and multi-day weddings costing more.
Is a day-of coordinator enough? For a simple, one-day wedding where you've already booked every vendor, often yes. For big, multi-day or multicultural weddings, full or month-of planning saves more than it costs.
Do wedding planners charge a percentage of the budget? Some do, often 10 to 20 percent. Many charge a flat fee instead. Ask which, and get it in writing.
How much should I tip my wedding planner? Tipping isn't required, but many couples give a thank-you of a few hundred dollars or a card and a review if the planner went above and beyond.
When should I hire a wedding planner? For full planning, 12 to 18 months before the date. For month-of coordination, at least 3 months before.
How do I choose a wedding planner? Meet them in person or on a video call before you decide. Compare what they include and what they charge, but pick the one you trust and feel comfortable with, not just the best website or a friend's recommendation.