A wedding planner is a professional service provider whose job it is to organize and execute all the details of a couple’s wedding. A wedding planner can be contracted at any stage in the wedding planning process to help to any degree the couple is willing to pay for. Wedding planning is similar to event planning in that a planning team handles the coordination of multiple wedding elements including catering, venue, guests, entertainment, decor, transportation and more. Anyone who has ever been involved in a wedding can confirm that wedding planning is hard work. Experience brings wisdom when it comes to avoiding or resolving day-of challenges. There is no legal regulatory body that oversees or certifies wedding planning as an industry. Anyone who chooses can call themselves a wedding planner. When looking for a wedding planner, be sure to read reviews, and make smart hiring decisions by asking about licenses and insurance.

On average, wedding planners charge $80 for their services. However, rates can range from roughly $50 per hour to $100 per hour, or even more than $300 per hour.

To find out how much it will cost to hire a wedding planner, request cost estimates from a few in your area. Also, keep in mind that some wedding planners may have flat fees instead of hourly rates.

First, pull up a list of nearby hairstylists on Thumbtack, and read their profiles to get an understanding of what they specialize in — hair coloring, cutting, extensions, wedding hairstyles, etc. Then, start searching for stylists who have high ratings and customer reviews. You should also spend some time looking at photos that showcase their work. That way, you can determine if a stylist has the experience and skills needed to achieve the look you want. 

When you’ve identified at least three hairstylists you like, ask them for a cost estimate and make sure they have the proper credentials.

Wedding planning is a full-time job — unless you hire a professional to handle the hard work for you. The cost for a wedding planner will depend on the level of service you desire. The least expensive wedding planner option is day-of coordination, then partial service, then full-service.  

The national average cost for wedding planning is between $990 and $1,300. Costs are greatly affected by region, with rural or smaller-town wedding planners often far more affordable than planners in higher-cost cities. Here are some examples of the various levels of wedding planning and their potential average costs:

• Day-of-wedding coordination: $800-$1,700. Day-of services can include the planner finalizing all details, creating a timeline, confirming vendors and overseeing all setup, day-of activities, and cleanup. The couple does all the front-end planning and contracts all the vendors. Time commitment could be about 15-25 hours, depending on pricing.
• Partial service: $1,500-$3,800. Here the planner works with the couple from the beginning, helping contract vendors, creating a timeline, and overseeing all details of day-of execution. Time commitment could be about 30-60 hours, depending on package and pricing.
• Full service: $3,500-$8,000 or more. Here the professional handles all wedding and planning details including working on design, securing rentals, getting the venue and vendors, and handling complete execution of the event. Time commitment could be 50-150 hours or more, depending on package and pricing.
• Consulting: $50-$150 per hour for design, vendor, reception and other wedding planning consultation.

After you find a few hairstylists you’re interested in, you need to decide who to hire. To figure this out, ask yourself these questions when evaluating each candidate:

• Does the hairstylist have mostly positive customer reviews and high ratings?
• Is the hairstylist charging prices that are reasonable and within my budget?
• Does this person specialize in my hair type and texture?
• Can the hairstylist achieve the look I want?
• Does the hairstylist have the proper training?
• Can the hairstylist come to me (i.e., are they a mobile hairstylist?), or do I need to go to their place of business?

Many hairstylists have the training and skills to do the following:

• Shampoo and condition hair
• Blow-dry hair
• Cut and trim hair
• Color, dye and bleach hair
• Straighten, braid and curl hair
• Install hair extensions and weaves

The best hairstylists can recommend styles and advise you on how to properly care for your hair type. Some may specialize in a certain treatment, or they may focus on hairstyles for events, such as a wedding.

A good rule of thumb is to tip your hairstylist at least 20%. Of course, it’s OK to tip more or less than 20%.

If you decide to tip 20%, here’s a quick guide on how much to tip your hairstylist:

A wedding coordinator is involved in the wedding planning process, but some coordinators focus on the day-of activities and schedule. These professionals are sometimes referred to as “day-of wedding coordinators.” They make sure your wedding starts on time, the vendors are there and everything runs smoothly. Essentially, they are your point person. And they can help minimize the stress (and jitters) brides and grooms may experience when throwing a wedding. 

Hiring a wedding planner can be worth the cost if you want to minimize your stress and save yourself time. Let’s be real — planning a wedding is a lot of work. You have to figure out a budget, shop around for vendors (DJs, bands, florists, caterers, chefs, photographers, videographers, etc.), negotiate contracts, book appointments and so much more. 

If you’re not interested in planning a wedding all on your own, consider hiring a wedding planner — especially if you have the budget.

If you believe your hairstylist messed up, bring it to their attention. Talk to them about what you expected and why you’re not happy with the end result. Because many professionals rely on positive customer reviews and word of mouth to keep their business going, they’re often willing to make adjustments. For more advice, read our guide on how to resolve issues.