Published April 30, 2026 · WeddingSimplified
How much does a wedding planner cost in Australia? In 2026, you're looking at $3,000–$8,000 for a full-service planner, $1,500–$3,000 for partial planning, and $800–$1,800 for day-of coordination only. For most couples, this represents 8–15% of their total wedding budget — a significant slice for a service you can largely replicate yourself with the right system.
A full-service planner manages everything from venue search through wedding day execution. They attend all vendor meetings, manage your budget, handle all communication, and create every document (run sheets, timelines, seating plans). Melbourne and Sydney planners typically charge $5,000–$8,000. Regional planners run $3,000–$5,000.
What you're paying for: 80–150 hours of planning time over 12 months. That works out to $50–$70/hour — actually reasonable for the service. The question is whether you need someone else's hours, or whether you just need their system.
Partial planning means the planner handles specific phases — usually venue selection and vendor bookings — then hands over to you for day-to-day management. Good value if you want professional vendor access but don't need full oversight.
The coordinator takes over 4–6 weeks before the wedding. They confirm all vendors, create the run sheet, and manage the day. This is the most popular option for couples who've done their own planning but want a professional on site.
Important: "day-of coordinator" is often a misnomer. A good one starts 4–6 weeks out. Anyone who shows up just on the day and expects to manage it cold isn't worth the fee.
None of these tasks require special skills. They require a system. And once you have the system — the templates, the timelines, the vendor scripts — you can do every one of them.
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