Average Cost of Weddings and Events In Atlanta or Austell

*Insert dramatic music* Dun-Dun-DUUUUUUN!!! Yep, let’s talk pricing folks. This is a subject that many people are afraid to discuss when looking for someone to plan their wedding, anniversary, or corporate celebration.

When I do get asked, I always try to find the best way to answer this question because the response isn’t so basic. In its simplest form, the best way to price an event is all about the hired professional’s specialty, their time in the industry, venue style and location. Also we need to know what your budget is and the type of event you're throwing. Honestly there are very different details from one event to another, and piecing the parts together is no simple task.

Essentially, you are looking to hire someone to pull off an event that expresses your feelings about a specific occasion in celebration form. Talk about complex! There’s so much more to this answer, so for the sake of this blog I will try to break down these 4 points to give you a better perspective on why a planner sets their pricing the way they do. Also we will attempt to explain why pricing may be different from planner to planner. 

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Venue Style and Location - $10,000

We have all heard the expression “There are three things that matter in real estate, location, location, location!”  This can most definitely be applied when looking for that perfect event venue. Depending on location and amenities the venue offers, the national average for wedding venues are around $10,000. 

Selecting the wrong venue or the wrong location can impact the look and style of your wedding or event, your budget, vendor availability, guest count, you name it! I always ask clients during our consultation if they are dead set on an area they first mention to me.  There is always a strong possibility that if I look 15 to 20 minutes in any direction I can get them a lower price, because venue pricing can fluctuate from zip code to zip code.

The venue style is very important when planning out the event you're having. Although most people do think about a particular area where they want to get married, sometimes the venue style isn't available in the part of town you like. The venue literally sets the stage for the show, and allows you to design the wedding or event look you’ve been dreaming of. As an example, if you love a classic look you wouldn’t have your wedding or event in a barn. If you’re boho chic, your first choice wouldn’t be a modern hotel. It also prevents more work from your design team, and more savings for you because a lot of elements that they would use for the design should already be in place if you pick the right venue. So if you like a modern industrial, the venue will more than likely have exposed beams and edison lights, and will add to the theme you’re going for.

I live in the Metro-Atlanta area and the city is super popular for events with the skyline and nightlife. It's this reason why pricing will be higher in the city limits, and 90% of the time planners are aware of venues close to the area you want to be in for less.

Knowing your estimated guest count will also help you determine the size of the venue needed for your celebration. A good question to ask the venue is what size/type of tables and chairs are provided for the space so you know how many can be seated. Knowing that ahead of time will help you see how the space will be laid out for seating charts. Most venues will have a floor plan available to see how they would arrange the room to accommodate the number of guests you intend on inviting. Also, ask about pricing on days like Fridays or Sundays because even though those days are considered weekends, they are less popular than the forever coveted Saturday. You may get a better deal for those days if you're willing to bend a bit on the date.

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Event Type and Budget - $10,000

No two events are the same, and that goes without saying about weddings. Anniversaries, corporate events, birthdays, and other general celebrations (as I like to call them), unless they are cultural (Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceaneras), don’t typically deal in the intricate details like a wedding. For the most part the initial formula is the same...venue, entertainment, catering. However, the devil...or should I say the stress level, is in the details. Needing a Day-of Coordinator alone to help manage a wedding day is a clear give away that planning for your big day won't be like your average event.

The national average cost for a wedding runs around $35,000 and in my area in GA, the average cost is about $32,000. I won’t say everyone will spend that money for their wedding but it’s not an average for nothing. General events can run anywhere from $3,000, $10,000 and can fluctuate lower or higher depending on how extravagant you want to be. To plan a wedding  you need an average of 8-12 months. Even with that amount of time it's a possibility you still will have issues (Think Murphy’s Law), but the more time you have to prevent them the better. With your general events, 2-3 months is sufficient time depending on how extravagant you go.

Other factors you’ll need to consider is other vendors. For example:

• Florists, who can charge $1,000 to $10,000 depending on your event.

• Decorators who bring your table linens and other decor can start around $2,000.

• DJ’s Can start their pricing at $1000.00 for wedding s because they do a lot song changes and announcements during the ceremony and reception.

• Catering’s cost average can begin at $25.00 per head , and this is also depending on the type of event you’re having, and the menu selected.

Outdoor weddings and events can be beautiful, but the additional factors like landscape and weather can create a visual nightmare when planning your special day. Your planner will make sure you have a “plan B” at the ready just in case inclement weather occurs. You may be thinking “Well that’s just common sense!” I’d like to let you know that common sense ain't always common, but we planners understand that you get swept away in the possibility of forever *insert romantic music* and can’t think of everything that we think about on a daily basis.

An outdoor event may require special permits to run generators and other equipment in order to pull off an event successfully. Depending on the city you reside in, that can start at $50.00 to $500.00 or more depending on the venue and the equipment needed. There’s also liquor licenses that may need to be in hand for special events if the venue you’ve rented doesn’t have one. Please make sure you or your planner knows the county law, and has proof that the venue has a liquor license, or if they are a “B.Y.O.B.” style location. These additional factors need to be considered when creating your budget.

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Conclusion

Each planner in the industry specializes in a particular event realm, and although we may dabble in different types from time to time, we all have our faves. Some planners really enjoy general celebrations like Baby/Bridal Showers because they are smaller and more intimate.

Some planners specialize in the super luxe weddings with the large guest counts, upgraded linens, and 7 course meals. The national average cost for a wedding planner is around $1,500, and general event planners charge around $1,000 depending on their time in the industry.  I really want to emphasize that there is a distinction between specialties, and no one event planner in the same specialty is the same.

So when you look at pricing, make sure you are getting what you need out of the hired pro, and what you want for your event. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what their pricing entails, and how hands on they will be. There’s a lot of scheduling involved, appointments to make, and contracts to review. For a wedding they will, more than likely, also be handling the Day-of Coordination as well and that will be inclusive of cost. Knowing that there are many more details when planning a wedding, it's expected that you’ll pay your planner more than you would for other events. 

Should you need more info please feel free to contact us. More than likely we planners already have pricing calculated for the style and celebration you want, but rest assured, whatever your event, a good planner will be worth every cent!

Until next time!

Keep It Chic

XOXO,
Amaris