Written by
Kundan Singh Rana
Web Designer & Developer
This guide cuts through the vague "it depends" answers you'll find everywhere else. You'll get city-wise price ranges, a plain-English breakdown of every pricing model (including the commission model most planners won't volunteer information about), a budget estimation formula, real-world scenarios, and a checklist of questions to ask before signing anything.
How Much Does a Wedding Planner Cost in India? (Quick Answer)
The table below gives you a working number for each service tier. Use it as your starting point, then refine it using the city and guest count sections that follow.
| Service Type | Cost Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Day-of Coordination | ₹50,000–₹1.5 lakhs | Couples who've planned everything and need professional execution on the day |
| Partial Planning | ₹75,000–₹3 lakhs | Couples who've started planning but need help closing the gaps |
| Full-Service Planning | ₹2 lakhs–₹10 lakhs | Couples who want end-to-end management across multiple functions |
| Destination / Luxury | ₹10 lakhs–₹25 lakhs+ | Large guest counts, premium venues, multi-day destination celebrations |
Most full-service planners charge either a flat fee or 10–20% of your total wedding budget, whichever they prefer. On a ₹25 lakh wedding, that's ₹2.5 to ₹5 lakhs for the planner alone — and that's before factoring in hidden extras like travel, overtime, and additional staff (more on those below).
Industry context: India hosts over 10 million weddings annually, contributing to a wedding industry valued at approximately USD 130 billion (IBEF, 2024). About 35% of urban Indian couples now hire a professional planner — up from just 15% in 2019 (WedMeGood Industry Report, 2024).
What Are the Different Types of Wedding Planner Services?
Before looking at numbers by city or guest count, it helps to understand what you're actually buying at each tier — because the difference between a ₹75,000 coordinator and a ₹7 lakh full-service planner is not just about price.
Day-of Coordination
Cost range: ₹50,000–₹1.5 lakhs
A day-of coordinator does not plan your wedding. You handle everything — venue, vendors, décor brief, timeline — and the coordinator takes over roughly four to eight weeks before the event. Their job is execution: arriving at the venue hours early, supervising décor setup, confirming catering timelines, managing the ceremony sequence, handling vendor payments on the day, and putting out every fire that inevitably comes up when 200 guests are involved.
Best for: Couples who are confident planners themselves (or have a very organised family member running point) but want a professional buffer on the actual day so nobody is stressed during the pheras.
What it usually includes: Pre-event venue walkthrough, vendor contact list consolidation, day-of timeline management, and 8–12 hours of on-ground coordination.
What it usually doesn't include: Vendor sourcing, negotiation, décor design, or pre-event planning meetings beyond one or two briefings.
Partial Planning
Cost range: ₹75,000–₹3 lakhs
Partial planning is the middle ground. You've started — maybe you've booked the venue and have a rough vendor list — but you need professional help with specific components: vendor negotiation, timeline planning, design curation, or coordination across multiple functions. The planner steps in, fills the gaps, and hands over a tightly managed plan before the day.
Best for: Couples juggling demanding jobs, NRI couples planning from abroad, or families who have handled some aspects but are overwhelmed by logistics across multiple events (mehendi, haldi, sangeet, reception).
What it includes: Typically 2–4 planning meetings, vendor recommendations and negotiation support, timeline creation, and on-day coordination.
Full-Service Planning
Cost range: ₹2 lakhs–₹10 lakhs (most metro city weddings)
Full-service planning is exactly what it sounds like. From the first concept meeting to the final goodbye after the reception, the planner manages everything: theme ideation, venue scouting, vendor sourcing and negotiation, budget tracking, design oversight, guest coordination logistics, and seamless on-day execution across every function.
For a standard wedding with 200–400 guests and three to four functions in a metro city, you can realistically expect to pay ₹3–₹7 lakhs. The upper end (₹8–₹10 lakhs) applies to complex multi-day events with high production value.
Best for: Couples who want to be present at their own wedding without managing 200+ decisions across 6–8 months, and families where the parents want to enjoy the celebrations rather than coordinate them.
What it includes: Everything — concept and theme development, complete vendor procurement, budget management, décor coordination, guest management, and end-to-end day-of execution with a full on-ground team.
Destination Wedding Planning
Cost range: ₹10 lakhs–₹25 lakhs+ (sometimes higher for celebrity or ultra-luxury events)
Destination weddings — whether in Goa, Udaipur, Jaipur, Kerala, or international locations — carry significantly higher planning fees because of added complexity. The planner must source and manage local vendors in a different city, make multiple site inspection visits, coordinate guest travel and accommodation logistics, manage hotel room blocks, and often field time-zone differences if the couple is based abroad.
Some boutique destination planners charge 15–20% of the total wedding budget; luxury firms may charge flat fees starting at ₹15 lakhs for the planning service alone, separate from vendor costs.
Best for: Couples planning weddings outside their home city, NRI couples, and any celebration where the setting is as important as the ceremony itself.
Wedding Planner Cost by City in India (2026)
City is one of the biggest cost variables. Planners in Mumbai and Delhi NCR charge more than anywhere else in India, driven by higher operational costs, premium vendor rates, and the concentration of India's top planning firms. Kolkata and Pune are consistently the most affordable major metros.
Master City Comparison Table
| City | Day-of Coordination | Partial Planning | Full-Service Planning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹80,000–₹2L | ₹1.5L–₹4L | ₹4L–₹12L |
| Delhi NCR | ₹75,000–₹1.8L | ₹1.2L–₹3.5L | ₹3.5L–₹10L |
| Bangalore | ₹60,000–₹1.5L | ₹1L–₹3L | ₹3L–₹8L |
| Hyderabad | ₹50,000–₹1.2L | ₹80,000–₹2.5L | ₹2.5L–₹7L |
| Chennai | ₹50,000–₹1.2L | ₹80,000–₹2.5L | ₹2.5L–₹6L |
| Kolkata | ₹40,000–₹1L | ₹70,000–₹2L | ₹2L–₹5L |
| Pune | ₹40,000–₹1L | ₹70,000–₹2L | ₹2L–₹5L |
| Goa | ₹60,000–₹1.5L | ₹1L–₹2.5L | ₹3L–₹8L |
| Udaipur | ₹80,000–₹2L | ₹1.5L–₹3.5L | ₹4L–₹12L |
| Jaipur | ₹60,000–₹1.5L | ₹1L–₹3L | ₹3L–₹10L |
| Kerala | ₹50,000–₹1.2L | ₹80,000–₹2.5L | ₹2.5L–₹6L |
Source: Vendor listings on WedMeGood, WeddingWire India, and direct quote data from Q1 2026.
Mumbai
Mumbai commands India's highest wedding planning fees. Planners face steep office overheads, high vendor rates across the board, and a premium market where couples expect polished, design-led experiences. If you're planning a mid-size Mumbai wedding with 200 guests across three functions, budget ₹4–₹7 lakhs for a reputable full-service planner. Beachside venues in Alibag and heritage properties in South Mumbai attract additional logistics costs.
Delhi NCR
Delhi NCR is neck-and-neck with Mumbai for planning fees, particularly for weddings in premium South Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida venues. The baraat-heavy, multi-day North Indian wedding format means planners here manage a wider scope per event. Full-service planning for a 300-guest wedding across four functions typically runs ₹4–₹8 lakhs.
Bangalore
Bangalore's wedding market has expanded rapidly alongside the city's tech economy. About 70% of Bangalore wedding planners use flat-fee structures (WedMeGood data, 2025). Rates run 10–15% lower than Delhi and Mumbai, but premium planners managing resort weddings and multi-day celebrations charge comparably. Strong value can be found in the ₹3–₹5 lakh range for a 200-guest wedding.
Hyderabad
Hyderabad offers impressive value, especially given its access to palace venues and a rich wedding tradition. Full-service planning for a 200-guest wedding runs ₹2.5–₹5 lakhs, with luxury planning for Nizami-style celebrations going higher. The city also has a strong NRI wedding market, which tends to push the upper end of pricing.
Chennai and South India
South Indian weddings — Tamil, Telugu, Malayali, and Kannada — have distinct ceremony structures from their North Indian counterparts. Weddings often revolve around morning ceremonies, mandap rituals, and specific floristry (jasmine is central in Tamil weddings). Planners here typically manage fewer commercial functions (sangeet is less common in traditional South Indian weddings) but the ceremony itself demands meticulous coordination. Full-service rates run ₹2.5–₹6 lakhs in Chennai and Kerala.
Kolkata and Pune
Both cities offer the most affordable planning rates among major metros. Kolkata has a strong wedding tradition (Bengali weddings are elaborate) but lower operating costs keep planner fees reasonable. Pune's proximity to Mumbai means couples sometimes hire Mumbai-based planners, but local Pune planners offer the same quality at 20–30% lower fees.
Destination Locations: Goa, Udaipur, Jaipur, Kerala
These are not just higher in planning fees — they involve an entirely different scope of work. Your planner must travel to the destination (multiple times for site inspections), source local vendors they may not regularly work with, coordinate guest travel and accommodation room blocks, and manage a team in a city that isn't home. Travel, accommodation, and per diem for the planner's team are almost always billed separately on top of the planning fee.
Wedding Planner Cost by Guest Count
Guest count drives planner cost more directly than most couples realise — not just because more guests means more complexity, but because the on-ground team size scales with your headcount. More coordinators on the day means more cost.
| Guest Count | Estimated Full-Service Cost | On-Ground Team Size |
|---|---|---|
| Under 100 (Intimate) | ₹1.5L–₹3L | 2–3 coordinators |
| 100–300 (Mid-Size) | ₹2L–₹5L | 3–5 coordinators |
| 300–500 (Large) | ₹3L–₹7L | 4–8 coordinators |
| 500–1,000 (Grand) | ₹5L–₹12L | 6–10 coordinators |
| 1,000+ (Ultra-Grand) | ₹8L–₹25L+ | 10–15+ coordinators |
Intimate Weddings (Under 100 Guests)
Intimate weddings are growing in popularity, particularly post-2020. A 50–80 guest wedding requires less logistical firepower but still benefits enormously from a coordinator. Day-of coordination (₹50,000–₹1L) is often the sweet spot here. Full-service planning for intimate weddings typically runs ₹1.5–₹3 lakhs.
Mid-Size Weddings (100–300 Guests)
This is the most common wedding size in urban India and the tier where a full-service planner delivers the clearest ROI. Three to four functions across two days, 150–250 guests, multiple vendor types — the complexity is real, and the margin for error is low. Budget ₹2–₹5 lakhs depending on city.
Large Weddings (300–500 Guests)
At this scale, the planner's on-ground team becomes as important as the planner themselves. You'll typically need 4–8 coordinators working in parallel across different venue zones. Expect ₹3–₹7 lakhs in most metros, with higher rates in Mumbai and Delhi.
Grand Weddings (500–1,000+ Guests)
These are effectively large-scale events. Logistics involve multiple venue spaces, separate catering teams, intricate guest flow management, and often an A/V and production crew working alongside the planning team. Budget ₹5–₹25 lakhs. At this scale, the percentage model (10–15% of the total wedding budget) tends to be more common than flat fees.
Wedding Planner Pricing Models Explained
This is the section most wedding planning blogs brush past. Understanding how your planner gets paid is essential — not just for budgeting, but because the pricing model directly affects whose interests the planner is serving.
Flat Fee Model
How it works: You agree on a fixed amount upfront for a defined scope of work. If the scope stays the same, the price stays the same regardless of how much the wedding actually costs.
Pros: Completely predictable. No incentive for the planner to inflate your spending. Easy to budget against.
Cons: Scope creep can become a grey area. If you add functions or change the brief significantly after signing, expect a renegotiation.
Who uses it: About 70% of mid-range and budget planners in India use flat fees (WedMeGood, 2025). It's also common among boutique and luxury planners who prefer transparent arrangements.
Percentage-Based Model (10–20% of Budget)
How it works: The planner charges a percentage of your total wedding spend — typically 10–20% for full-service planning. If your wedding costs ₹30 lakhs, the planner earns ₹3–₹6 lakhs.
Pros: Scales naturally with event complexity. Planners working on percentage fees are often highly experienced and used to managing larger budgets.
Cons: This is the model with the most potential for misaligned incentives. A planner earning 12% of your total spend benefits financially when that total goes up. If they suggest upgrading from a ₹3 lakh decorator to a ₹5 lakh one, their own fee increases by ₹24,000. Multiply that across five or six vendor categories and the incentive gap becomes significant.
If you use this model: Always negotiate a fee cap — a maximum amount regardless of how high the total budget climbs. And ask for itemised vendor quotes so you can see what the planner is recommending and why.
Commission-Based Model (Read This Carefully)
How it works: Some planners charge a low upfront fee — or no fee at all — but earn money through commissions paid by the vendors they recommend. A caterer might pay the planner 10–15% of the catering bill as a referral fee. A venue might offer a TAC (Travel Agent Commission) of 8–12% for bookings routed through the planner.
The problem: This model creates a direct conflict of interest. The planner is incentivised to recommend vendors who pay the highest commissions, not necessarily the best vendors for your wedding or your budget. You may end up paying inflated vendor quotes to fund a kickback you didn't know existed.
Who uses it: Most commonly found among planners offering very low fees (under ₹2–3 lakhs in markets where full-service typically costs more). Boutique and luxury planners almost never work on commissions — their fees are transparent and upfront. Budget planners often rely on vendor commissions to keep their headline fee low and competitive.
What to do: Always ask your planner directly: "Do you receive any commissions or referral fees from the vendors you recommend?" A trustworthy planner will answer clearly. If the answer feels evasive, that's a signal. Request a clause in your contract stating that all vendor recommendations are commission-free, or that any commissions received will be disclosed and deducted from your final bill.
Hybrid Model
How it works: A combination of a flat retainer fee plus either a capped percentage or a per-function add-on. This is increasingly common among premium planners managing complex multi-city or multi-day events.
Pros: Balances predictability (flat base) with fair compensation for scope expansion (percentage or per-function add-on).
Cons: Can be harder to budget for if the percentage portion isn't capped.
Pricing Model Comparison
| Model | Transparency | Incentive Alignment | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Fee | High | Excellent | Most couples; mid-range and luxury |
| Percentage-Based | Medium | Moderate (request fee cap) | Complex, high-budget weddings |
| Commission-Based | Low | Poor | Avoid unless fully disclosed |
| Hybrid | High | Good | Multi-day, multi-city celebrations |
What Affects Wedding Planner Cost in India?
Seven variables determine where on the ₹50,000–₹25 lakh spectrum your wedding planner quote will land.
1. Service Scope
Day-of coordination, partial planning, and full-service planning have different price floors. Always clarify scope before comparing quotes — a ₹1.5 lakh quote for "full planning" and a ₹1.5 lakh quote for "day-of coordination" are entirely different things.
2. Number of Functions
Each additional function adds to the planner's workload, team requirements, and logistical complexity. A single reception is far simpler than a four-day celebration covering mehendi, haldi, sangeet, the main wedding ceremony (with pheras at the mandap), and a post-wedding brunch.
3. Guest Count
More guests means more on-ground coordinators, more catering logistics, more seating plans, and more moving parts. A 500-guest wedding is not twice the work of a 250-guest wedding — it's roughly four times the coordination complexity.
4. City and Location
Metro cities (Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore) command 15–25% higher fees than Tier-2 cities for comparable service levels, driven by higher overheads and premium vendor rates.
5. Destination vs Local
Destination weddings add travel, accommodation, and per diem costs for the entire planning team, plus multiple pre-event site inspections. These are almost always billed separately.
6. Planner's Experience and Reputation
A planner who has managed 300 weddings over 15 years and has a portfolio of premium clients will charge significantly more than a newer planner with 20–30 weddings under their belt. Both can be excellent — but the fee gap is real and reflects demand, network quality, and risk management experience.
7. Season
India's wedding season runs from October to February, with peak demand clustering around auspicious dates (specific muhurts). During peak season, top planners are booked months in advance, and their rates may be higher due to demand. Booking for a March–September wedding can give you more negotiating leverage and better availability.
What's Included in a Wedding Planner's Fee?
What Full-Service Typically Includes
A comprehensive full-service package should cover:
- Initial concept and theme ideation sessions
- Venue scouting and shortlisting
- Vendor sourcing, briefing, and negotiation (caterers, decorators, photographers, videographers, hair and makeup, entertainment)
- Budget tracking and management throughout the planning period
- Design curation (décor mood boards, colour palette, floral brief)
- Guest management (invitations, RSVPs, transport, accommodation coordination)
- Function-wise timelines for each event (mehendi, haldi, sangeet, wedding, reception)
- Vendor payment schedule management
- Rehearsal coordination
- Full on-ground team on each event day
- Post-event vendor settlement
What Is Usually Extra (Hidden Costs to Watch)
This is where wedding budgets quietly expand. Before signing any contract, ask explicitly about each of the following:
| Hidden Cost | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planner travel & accommodation | ₹20,000–₹2L+ | Applies to destination weddings; usually billed at cost |
| Additional on-ground staff | ₹8,000–₹25,000 per coordinator per day | Large weddings may need 6–10 coordinators |
| Overtime charges | ₹5,000–₹20,000 per hour after agreed end time | Sangeet nights famously run long |
| Venue visit fees | ₹5,000–₹15,000 per visit | For destination or outstation scouting trips |
| Revision fees | Varies | Changing your décor brief or vendor selection multiple times after sign-off |
| Printing and stationery coordination | ₹5,000–₹30,000 | If not included in vendor management fee |
| Post-event coordination | ₹10,000–₹50,000 | Final vendor settlement, return of deposits, etc. |
Ask your planner to give you a scope-of-services document in writing before you sign. Any reputable planner should be able to provide this.
How to Estimate Your Wedding Planner Budget
Use this three-step formula before you start getting quotes.
Step 1: Fix your total wedding budget (venue + catering + décor + photography + everything else combined).
Step 2: Multiply by your service tier percentage:
- Day-of coordination: 3–5% of total budget (minimum ₹50,000)
- Partial planning: 5–10% of total budget
- Full-service planning: 10–15% of total budget
- Luxury/destination: 15–20% of total budget
Step 3: Add 15–20% buffer for hidden extras (travel, overtime, additional staff).
Budget Scenarios
| Your Total Wedding Budget | Service Tier | Estimated Planner Fee |
|---|---|---|
| ₹10 lakhs | Day-of Coordination | ₹50,000–₹75,000 |
| ₹10 lakhs | Full-Service | ₹1L–₹1.5L |
| ₹25 lakhs | Partial Planning | ₹1.5L–₹2.5L |
| ₹25 lakhs | Full-Service | ₹2.5L–₹4L |
| ₹50 lakhs | Full-Service | ₹5L–₹8L |
| ₹75 lakhs | Full-Service (Luxury) | ₹8L–₹12L |
| ₹1 crore+ | Luxury/Destination | ₹12L–₹25L+ |
These are realistic budgeting benchmarks, not guarantees. Get three quotes before deciding.
Is Your Budget Enough? Real-World Scenarios
Here are four common situations couples actually face — with honest answers.
Scenario A:"We have a ₹15 lakh budget for a 100-guest wedding in Bangalore."
A ₹15 lakh total budget is modest for a 100-guest Bangalore wedding. You can afford a day-of coordinator (₹60,000–₹1L) or partial planning (₹1–₹1.5L). Full-service planning is possible at the lower end (₹1.5–₹2L) with a newer but capable planner. Prioritise scope clarity and check portfolios carefully.
Scenario B:"We're planning a 250-guest Delhi wedding with mehendi, sangeet, and reception. Budget is ₹35 lakhs."
₹35 lakhs for a three-function, 250-guest Delhi wedding is a realistic mid-range budget. A full-service planner will cost ₹3.5–₹6 lakhs — roughly 10–17% of your total spend. This is money well spent at this scale; a planner's vendor network will likely recover a significant part of their fee through better deals on décor and catering alone.
Scenario C:"We're an NRI couple planning a destination wedding in Goa with 150 guests. Budget is ₹60 lakhs."
Destination Goa with 150 guests is a well-scoped premium wedding. Expect to pay ₹5–₹8 lakhs for a reputable destination planner, plus travel and accommodation for their team (₹1–₹2 lakhs additional). The planner's local vendor network in Goa will be essential — sourcing caterers, beach venue permissions, and entertainment remotely without one is a significant risk.
Scenario D:"Our families want a big fat Udaipur wedding. 500 guests, five functions, ₹1 crore+ budget."
At this scale, you're in luxury planning territory. Expect to pay ₹12–₹25 lakhs for a top-tier planner who manages high-volume, high-production events. Some premium firms charge 15–20% of the total vendor spend. Get references from couples whose weddings they've managed at similar scale.
How to Hire a Wedding Planner Within Your Budget
Reduce Scope Before Reducing Rate
Never ask a planner to cut their hourly rate — it's rarely effective and can damage the working relationship from day one. Instead, ask what you can take off their plate yourself. If you've already finalised the venue, exclude venue scouting from the scope. If your family is handling guest accommodation, exclude that from the brief. Scope reduction is the professional way to bring a fee down.
Book in the Off-Season
Planners available for March–September weddings often have more scheduling flexibility and stronger negotiating room on fees. You'll also face far less competition for popular venue dates and vendor availability.
Get Three Quotes
Always compare at least three planners at a similar service level. Don't compare a day-of coordinator quote against a full-service quote — they're different products. Ask each planner for a written scope of services alongside their quote so you're comparing like with like.
Ask the Right Questions Before Signing
Use this checklist in every planner meeting:
- Is this a flat fee or a percentage of vendor spend?
- If percentage-based, what is the fee cap?
- Do you receive commissions or referral fees from any vendors you recommend?
- How many on-site coordinators will be present on each event day?
- Which events are explicitly covered? Is the mehendi included or an add-on?
- Are travel and accommodation included for destination events?
- What is your overtime policy if an event runs long?
- Who is my lead coordinator? (Not just the sales contact — the person actually managing my wedding)
- Can I see itemised quotes from the vendors you shortlist?
- What is your revision policy if I change the décor brief?
- What happens if you're unavailable on the wedding day?
Check the Portfolio for Weddings Like Yours
A planner with a portfolio of intimate 50-guest celebrations may not be the right fit for a 400-guest grand wedding — and vice versa. Look for experience at your scale, in your city, with your type of ceremony (North Indian, South Indian, destination, etc.).
FAQ: Wedding Planner Cost in India
How much does a wedding planner cost in India on average?
For a full-service city wedding with 150–300 guests and two to three functions, the average wedding planner cost in India is ₹2 lakhs to ₹7 lakhs. Day-of coordination starts at ₹50,000. Luxury and destination weddings range from ₹10–₹25 lakhs.
What is the average percentage wedding planners charge in India?
Most full-service wedding planners charge 10–20% of the total wedding budget. Some experienced planners charge up to 25–30% for ultra-luxury or celebrity weddings. Day-of coordinators and partial planners typically work on flat fees rather than percentages.
How much does a wedding planner cost in Delhi?
Wedding planner cost in Delhi NCR ranges from ₹75,000–₹1.8 lakhs for day-of coordination, ₹1.2–₹3.5 lakhs for partial planning, and ₹3.5–₹10 lakhs for full-service planning. Delhi is one of India's highest-cost markets for wedding services.
How much do wedding planners charge in Bangalore?
Wedding planners in Bangalore charge ₹60,000–₹1.5 lakhs for day-of coordination, ₹1–₹3 lakhs for partial planning, and ₹3–₹8 lakhs for full-service planning. About 70% use flat-fee structures.
How much is a wedding planner for a small wedding in India?
For an intimate wedding with fewer than 100 guests, a day-of coordinator costs ₹50,000–₹1 lakh. Full-service planning for a small wedding runs ₹1.5–₹3 lakhs depending on city and number of functions.
What is the difference between a wedding planner and a wedding coordinator?
A wedding planner is involved throughout the planning process — from concept to execution. A wedding coordinator (or day-of coordinator) only steps in close to the event date to manage execution. Planners cost more; coordinators cost less. For most multi-function Indian weddings, a full-service planner offers significantly better value.
How much should I tip my wedding planner in India?
Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated for excellent service. A common range is ₹5,000–₹20,000 for the lead planner, and ₹2,000–₹5,000 each for on-ground coordinators. Alternatively, 5–10% of the planner's fee is a useful guideline for outstanding performance.
When should I book a wedding planner in India?
For destination or multi-event weddings: 12–18 months before the date. For standard city weddings with 100–300 guests: 6–9 months out. Booking any later than 4 months before your date risks finding your preferred planner already booked, especially during peak season (October–February).
Do wedding planners in India save you money?
Yes, in most cases — particularly for weddings with 200+ guests or budgets above ₹15 lakhs. Planners typically save 10–25% on vendor costs through their network relationships and negotiation experience. They also prevent overspending mistakes that push DIY weddings 20–30% over budget (WedMeGood, 2024). For smaller or simpler weddings, the savings may be smaller than the fee — in which case day-of coordination is often the smarter choice.
Can I afford a wedding planner on a ₹10 lakh budget?
Yes. A day-of coordinator (₹50,000–₹75,000) is very achievable on a ₹10 lakh budget. Partial planning (₹1–₹1.5 lakhs) is also realistic. Full-service planning will consume 10–15% of a ₹10 lakh budget, which leaves little room for anything else — so prioritise scope carefully.
Conclusion
Wedding planner cost in India is not a single number — it's a range that spans ₹50,000 for basic day-of coordination to ₹25 lakhs or more for luxury destination celebrations. The three numbers that matter most for your budget are: which service tier you need, which city you're planning in, and how many functions you're hosting.
Before you speak to any planner, fix your total wedding budget, decide your service tier, and use the 10–15% formula to set a realistic fee expectation. Then ask every planner the same questions, request a written scope of services, and always clarify how they're being compensated — including whether they earn commissions from vendors.
The right planner doesn't just save you stress. At the right scale, they save you money too.
