How much to charge for event planning
Event planning is priced as a flat fee by tier or as a percentage of the budget. Day-of coordination is the affordable entry tier; full-service planning is where the real fee and the real work live.
You should charge
$3,950
per event · typical $1,000–$15,000
Why this number. Lead with day-of coordination as an easy entry, then upsell to full planning. Once a client sees how much you handle on the day, the value of having you manage the whole months-long process becomes obvious.
Typical event planning prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Day-of coordination | $800 – $2,500 |
| Partial planning | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Full-service planning | $5,000 – $20,000 |
Also common: Some planners charge 10-20% of the total event budget instead of a flat fee.
What changes the price
- Event size and complexity
- Full planning vs. day-of coordination
- Vendor sourcing and management
- Your experience and the event's stakes
The pricing move most people miss
Lead with day-of coordination as an easy entry, then upsell to full planning. Once a client sees how much you handle on the day, the value of having you manage the whole months-long process becomes obvious.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for event planning?+
Most event planning is priced $1,000–$15,000 per event, with a typical rate around $4,000 per event. Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to event size and complexity and full planning vs. day-of coordination. Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
Should I charge per job or by the hour for event planning?+
Most event planning is priced per job, and that is the stronger model. It pays you for the result rather than the clock, and clients far prefer one fixed number they can plan around. Estimate the hours a job takes, multiply by the hourly rate you want, then add a 15-25% buffer for the jobs that run long. Some planners charge 10-20% of the total event budget instead of a flat fee.
How much should I charge for event planning as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $1,000 to $4,000 per event. Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $15,000.
What affects how much event planning costs?+
The biggest factors are event size and complexity; full planning vs. day-of coordination; vendor sourcing and management; your experience and the event's stakes. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.
How do I quote event planning so the client says yes?+
Lead with day-of coordination as an easy entry, then upsell to full planning. Once a client sees how much you handle on the day, the value of having you manage the whole months-long process becomes obvious. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.