How much does it cost to start a wedding planning business?

Starting a wedding planning business costs $5,000 to $30,000. This is a home-based business with low overhead, and most of the startup investment goes toward marketing, portfolio photography, and bridal show participation. The Knot and WeddingWire listings cost $1,000 to $3,000 per year but are essential for reaching engaged couples in most markets.

How much do wedding planners make per wedding?

Wedding planners earn $2,000 to $10,000 per wedding depending on the service level. Day-of coordination packages run $1,500 to $3,000, partial planning is $3,000 to $6,000, and full-service planning is $5,000 to $10,000 or more. Luxury market planners in major cities can charge $15,000 to $50,000 for high-budget weddings. Most planners manage 15 to 30 weddings per year.

How do I get wedding planning clients with no experience?

Start by offering day-of coordination at discounted rates to build your portfolio and get reviews. Organize a styled shoot with vendors to create professional portfolio images. Volunteer to assist experienced planners to learn the business and build your vendor network. Social media, especially Instagram and Pinterest, is the primary discovery channel for wedding planners and costs nothing to start.

Wedding Planning Business Startup Cost Comparison

Bend, OR vs Chicago, IL

Bend, OR

$9,000 - $40,000

COL Index: 122.5

Chicago, IL

$12,000 - $42,000

COL Index: 107.8

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense	Bend, OR	Chicago, IL	Difference
Business Registration & Licenses	$2,000 - $7,800	$5,600 - $10,900	-41%
Home Office Setup	$500 - $3,000	$500 - $3,000	Same
Wedding Planning Software & Tools	$400 - $2,000	$400 - $2,000	Same
Sample Kit & Styling Materials	$300 - $2,000	$300 - $2,000	Same
Business Insurance (Annual)	$500 - $2,500	$500 - $2,500	Same
Certifications & Education	$500 - $3,000	$500 - $3,000	Same
Marketing & Portfolio Building	$2,000 - $10,000	$2,000 - $10,000	Same
Working Capital (3-6 Months)	$2,500 - $9,800	$2,200 - $8,600	+14%
Total Estimated Cost	$9,000 - $40,000	$12,000 - $42,000	-9%

Local Market Factors

Factor	Bend	Chicago
Cost of Living Index	122.5	107.8
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)	$18 - $40	$25 - $65
Labor Rate Index	1.08	1.15
Sales Tax	0%	10.25%
Minimum Wage	$14.70/hr	$15.80/hr
LLC Filing Fee	$100	$150

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