Wedding Coordinator Salaries
Many couples choose to hire a wedding coordinator to help them prepare for their wedding. Wedding coordinators are also known as wedding planners or bridal consultants. Some couples need a little help here and there, whereas other couples need someone to hold their hand through the entire process. A wedding coordinator can make as little as a couple hundred up to several thousand for individual weddings. It depends completely on the area they work in and the clientele they are dealing with. Wedding coordinators need to establish a good reputation and get word-of-mouth advertising. It takes several years for most wedding coordinators to make a name for themselves.
Potential
The amount of money a wedding coordinator makes varies greatly depending on location and whether the coordinator is self-employed or not. Salary.com says casino and hotel wedding coordinators can make $26,710 to $34,418 on average, while full-time self-employed wedding coordinators and event planners make $45,000 to $63,000 per year. These numbers represent the national average, however, the state to state average varies greatly. Payscale.com pegs the average pay for a wedding coordinator in Georgia at $27.50 per hour while the average hourly pay for wedding coordinators in Missouri is $7.63. Although not typical, celebrity coordinators average $250,000 per year.
Considerations
Wedding coordinators have a seasonal business in most areas. June August, September and October are the largest wedding months in most areas, and one coordinator can only work so many weddings at a time. Warmer regions have a longer wedding season, and in many tropical areas, July is a big month for weddings. Many wedding coordinators do other event and party planning to create year-round business.
Types
Most wedding planners charge between 10 percent and 20 percent of the total wedding budget. Others charge a set fee for specific services or an hourly fee. Some wedding coordinators say their services are free, but you have to use their vendors. Still some wedding coordinators charge cost plus, which means they include their fee in every item and service they provide. Finally, there are wedding coordinators who work for a specific hotel or casino and coordinator the weddings booked with their employer.
Function
A wedding coordinator can plan every detail of the wedding or only handle specific items. She can negotiate with vendors, review contracts, act as a liaison, establish the timetable for the wedding and make sure everything stays on time. She can help the couple establish and stick to a budget. She can arrange destination weddings and make themed weddings come to life. She also can save the couple money. Many coordinators have vendors they work with on a regular basis, and the coordinator can get discounts because of the volume of business she refers.
Time Frame
Wedding coordinators are able to step in and help at any point during the wedding planning. Many wedding coordinators have a set fee to coordinate the day of the wedding only. For full service, it is best to contact a coordinator as soon as the wedding date is set.
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