Planning a destination wedding in France is a dream for many couples—but understanding France wedding planner costs can be surprisingly complex. A quick search will return a wide range of prices: from €5,000 to €20,000+, depending on the planner. Why such a difference, and what does that fee really cover?
In this guide, we break down what influences France wedding planner costs and help you understand how to evaluate whether a planner’s pricing structure makes sense for the level of service you are expecting.
1. Experience: What You Pay for Is What You Get
The first reason French wedding planner fees vary so much is experience. A well-established planner with 10+ years of expertise, a solid vendor network, and a refined planning process will typically start around €15,000 for full-service planning. These planners know the local landscape inside and out—from permitting and logistics to guest experience and cultural nuances—and their fees reflect the time, knowledge, and responsibility they bring to the table.
In contrast, newer or junior planners may charge between €5,000 and €7,000. While that might be appealing on paper, it often comes with trade-offs: less experience, fewer tested vendors, and less support navigating the complexities of planning a luxury wedding in another country.
2. Business Structure: How Many Weddings, and How Much Time
One of the less visible – but most important – factors impacting France wedding planner cost is the business structure behind the scenes.
A planner who limits themselves to just a few weddings per season is, by definition, able to offer more time, personal attention, and tailored service to each couple. At Et Voila Weddings, for example, we take on no more than 6–7 weddings per year, allowing us to provide a truly bespoke, hands-on planning experience.
Compare that to planners who book 15, 20, or more weddings per season—whether full-service or a mix of packages. Even with good systems in place, it is not realistic to expect the same level of detail, responsiveness, or creative attention when your planner is juggling that many projects.
In France, large agencies with teams of planners are rare. Most French wedding planner businesses are boutique: often one lead planner, sometimes supported by part-time assistants. The more time your planner devotes to each couple, the higher the fee—because the fewer weddings they can take on to make it sustainable.
3. Commissions: The Hidden Cost of “Cheaper” Planning Fees
One factor that is rarely discussed – but crucial to understand – is commissions. If you come across a France wedding planner with surprisingly low fees, be aware that their business model may rely on commissions from vendors.
Here is how it works: the planner may take a commission from each vendor they book for your wedding, either added on top of your vendor’s normal rate or deducted from their fee (known as a retrocommission). While some planners argue that this comes at no cost to you, the reality is often more complex.
What if the vendor you truly want to work with does not agree to cut their rate to allow a commission? What if that commission means your vendor earns less for your wedding than they do for others? In our experience, no high-level vendor in France deducts a commission from their quote. In fact, when we contact new vendors, the question they ask us is always if they should add a commission for us into their quote.
The result? You might save on planning fees—but you may end up paying more for vendor services, and receiving a lower level of service from vendors whose earnings are being reduced.
To note that we, at Et Voila Weddings, never ask for commissions.
What Do Wedding Planner Fees in France Really Cover?
Even if you do not know how many weddings your planner takes on each year, you can ask yourself: is this fee sustainable for the level of service I want?
Let us take a €10,000 planning fee as an example:
- At least 15% will go toward operating costs (insurance, admin support, software, travel, etc.)
- 50% or more will go to taxes and social charges
That leaves roughly €4,000 (or less) in actual income to the planner.
How many projects would they need to make a living? And what kind of time and dedication can they realistically offer to each one?
At a €20,000 level, the planner’s take-home pay may only be around €8,000. For a high-touch service that spans 12–18 months, requires hundreds of hours of work, and comes with full responsibility for an international event, this is not excessive – it is realistic.
At Et Voila Weddings, our full-service planning fees typically range from €22,000 to €45,000. We work with a part-time admin PA and a part-time assistant, and we physically could not take on more than 6 or 7 weddings a year while maintaining the high standards our clients expect.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a wedding planner in France is not just about comparing prices. It is about understanding the value behind the number—the time, experience, dedication, and ethical approach that go into creating an exceptional event.
If you are looking for a full-service wedding planner in France who will:
– Guide and support you at every stage of the planning process
– Treat your wedding with the care and attention it deserves
– Make you feel like their only client
– Craft an unforgettable guest experience with elegance and precision
We would love to speak with you.
Call us or email us to begin planning your celebration in Paris, Provence or the Riviera.
