How Much Does
a Wedding Planner Cost in Italy?
When an international couple starts researching a destination wedding in Italy, one of the first questions is always the same: how much does a wedding planner cost?
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It is a fair and legitimate question, but in Italy there is no single, fixed answer.
The reason is simple: wedding planning is not a standard service, but a tailor-made project that changes depending on the type of wedding, the level of complexity, the support required and the experience of the Wedding Planner.
What truly matters is understanding how the cost is built, not just knowing the final figure.
A clear guide for international couples
What is the average cost of a wedding planner in Italy?
In general, for international couples planning a destination wedding in Italy, the average costs for a wedding planning service led by a professional with at least 10 years of experience are as follows:
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Micro wedding: from €3,500 to €5,000
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Intimate destination wedding: from €4,500 to €9,000
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Structured or multi-day destination wedding: from €5,000 to €15,000+
These figures refer exclusively to the wedding planning service, not to the overall wedding budget.
It is important to clarify this point, as the role of the Wedding Planner is often misunderstood abroad as an “all-inclusive” service. In Italy, the fee covers design, planning, management and coordination of the event.
Why do wedding planner fees vary so much?
The cost of a wedding planner does not depend only on the number of guests.
In fact, some weddings with 30 guests can be far more complex than events with over 100 people.
The main factors that influence the fee include:
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Number of events (welcome dinner, wedding day, brunch, pool party)
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Length of the planning process (from 6 to over 18 months)
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Level of customization of the project
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Type of venue and its accessibility
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Long-distance planning and language management
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Number of suppliers involved and their coordination needs
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Each element adds time, responsibility and organizational effort.
Understanding how the fee is built is far more important than focusing on a single number.
Fixed fee or percentage of the budget?
In Italy, there are two main pricing models.
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Fixed fee (my approach): the fee is defined based on the project, its complexity and the level of support required. This is often the clearest and most reassuring option for international couples, as it allows them to know the investment from the very beginning.
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Percentage of the budget: usually between 10% and 15% of the total wedding budget. This model is more common for very large-scale or high-end events.
For foreign couples, a fixed fee is often preferable because it ensures transparency and avoids variations linked to later decisions.
What Does a wedding planning fee in Italy really include?
When couples ask this question, they are often trying to understand what the wedding planner’s fee actually covers throughout the planning process.
An Italian Wedding Planner who works with international couples doesn't just "organize suppliers."
The fee reflects a comprehensive professional service that includes:
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project and budget analysis
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selection of locations consistent with the couple's vision
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supplier research and coordination
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inspections, meetings, phone calls and countless emails
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management of contracts , deadlines and payments
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creating the event timeline
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complete coordination of the wedding day
Added to this is a fundamental — yet often invisible — component: the planner’s experience and expertise built over years of hands-on work in the Italian wedding industry.
This includes deep knowledge of how the system works, trusted relationships with venues and suppliers, an understanding of their working styles and limitations, and the ability to anticipate issues before they arise.
It is this expertise that allows a Wedding Planner to translate a couple’s wishes into realistic, coherent choices — and it is a core part of what the fee truly represents.
How much does the wedding planner impact the overall budget?
On average, a Wedding Planner’s fee represents around 10–15% of the overall wedding budget.
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It is not an expense that takes resources away from the event, but a strategic investment that helps optimize the entire budget.
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Professional planning allows the budget to be allocated correctly, helps avoid unsuitable vendors, prevents unexpected costs and supports informed decisions from the very beginning. This is especially important when planning a destination wedding from abroad, where mistakes, misunderstandings or last-minute changes can have a much greater financial impact than the Wedding Planner’s fee itself.
How to properly evaluate a wedding planner proposal
When comparing different proposals, it is important not to focus only on the final figure.
A wedding planning service should be evaluated based:
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on the level of involvement
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on the time dedicated to the project
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local presence
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overall management capability
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the professional’s expertise.
Two similar proposals can hide very different approaches, responsibilities and final results.
Conclusion: understanding the cost of a wedding planner in Italy
The cost of a wedding planner in Italy should not be seen as a simple expense, but as the value of an experienced professional who can manage complexity, distance and local dynamics with clarity and structure.
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For international couples, working with a wedding planner means having a trusted guide — someone who understands the territory, coordinates the right professionals and turns a complex process into a smooth, well-organised experience.
Understanding how a wedding planner’s fee is built is far more important than focusing on a single number. It allows couples to make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes and approach the planning process with confidence, from the very first steps through to the wedding day.
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