How Much Does a Wedding Planner Cost? Fees for a Marrakech Destination Wedding

There's no single price for a wedding planner. What you pay depends first on the service level (on-the-day coordination, partial planning or full planning), then on the size of the wedding: guest count, number of events, venue and how much design it needs. At AMÉLIE, fees are based on the scope of the project and the services you ask for, and every couple gets a tailored proposal.

This guide explains how a planner's fee is built, the three ways planners charge and what a quote should spell out, so you can compare two proposals side by side. Market prices for each budget line are in our Marrakech wedding cost guide.

The three service levels that set the price

The service level affects the price more than anything else. The earlier a planner starts and the more they handle, the higher the fee. AMÉLIE offers three fixed packages plus bespoke arrangements.

These are the ranges we see across the Marrakech market, published in our Marrakech wedding cost guide (updated 14 November 2026). They describe the market. AMÉLIE doesn't publish a price list: our fee comes as a tailored proposal.

Tell us about your wedding on a 30-minute video call and we'll tell you which service level fits it and which range it falls in. Book the call

On-the-day coordination

This is the shortest service, often called day-of coordination. At AMÉLIE it starts with a handover meeting about 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. The planner then builds the timeline for the day and coordinates the event on site.

It only works if every supplier is already chosen and under contract. If your caterer or venue isn't booked yet, you need a bigger package.

Partial planning

The planner handles suppliers and design, and you keep the other jobs, such as guests or travel logistics. It suits couples who have time but no address book in Marrakech.

Full planning

AMÉLIE's full planning package covers the creative concept and design, selecting and negotiating with every supplier, budget tracking, logistics, guest management (hotels, transfers, dietary needs) and coordinators on the wedding day.

If you're planning from London, Dublin or New York, full planning is usually the sensible choice. Most couples visit Marrakech once or twice before the wedding: a first trip to see venues and meet suppliers, and a second about 2 to 3 months before to finalise details. Everything else happens remotely.

Flat fee, percentage or hourly: how wedding planners charge

Wedding planners charge in one of three ways: a flat fee, a percentage of the total wedding budget, or an hourly rate. How the fee is worked out matters as much as the number at the bottom of the quote.

With a flat fee you know the amount when you sign. A low flat fee can still leave tasks to be billed as extras, so ask for the exact list of what it covers.

With a percentage, the fee tracks the total cost of the wedding. Add guests or move from a riad to a palace, and the planner's fee goes up as well. Ask what the percentage is calculated on, and when.

An hourly rate fits short, one-off jobs, such as advice on choosing a venue. For full planning, the total becomes hard to predict.

AMÉLIE sets its fee according to the scope of the project and the services requested, and lays it out in a tailored proposal.

What pushes a planner's fee up or down

Two weddings on the same package rarely take the same amount of work. Five things make the biggest difference.

• Guest count: more guests means more rooms, transfers, dietary requirements and seating plans to manage.
• Number of events: a welcome dinner the night before and a brunch the morning after add days of preparation and coordination.
• Venue: a dinner in the Agafay desert needs more logistics than a hotel that already supplies a kitchen, furniture and power.
• Design: a bespoke set design takes longer than simple styling.
• Lead time: AMÉLIE recommends getting in touch 12 to 18 months ahead for peak season and about 9 to 12 months for the off-season. Last-minute requests are accepted depending on availability, on a tighter schedule.

The three sample budgets in our cost guide show how the size of the wedding moves the planner's line:

On the same full planning package, going from 80 to 150 guests takes the planner's line from €7,000 to €12,000.

Not sure about the season? Our guide to the best month for a Marrakech wedding compares them.

What the fee covers, and what it doesn't

The fee pays for the planner's work. The venue, caterer, photographer, flowers and music are each billed by the supplier, on top.

You won't see most of that work. On a single wedding, AMÉLIE makes 40 to 60 supplier visits. The team negotiates prices, reviews supplier contracts (in Morocco they're written in French) for cancellation terms, payment schedules and exact scope, and handles problems on the day, like a late caterer or a musician who needs replacing.

While you plan, everything sits in a private online space you can open on your phone or computer: budget, guest list, supplier schedule, contracts and documents.

Be careful with "all-inclusive" supplier packages too. Always ask whether the price includes VAT, and check what sits outside the quote. Our article on Marrakech wedding hidden costs lists the most common gaps.

Commission: the question to ask before you sign

A planner can be paid twice: by you, through their fee, and by suppliers, through commission on the clients they bring in. That gives them less reason to steer you towards the best-value or best-suited supplier.

Ask in writing: "Do you receive commission or kickbacks from your suppliers?" At AMÉLIE the answer is no: no commissions, no kickbacks.

How planner fees are paid

The usual practice is a deposit of 30 to 50% when you sign, with the balance due closer to the wedding. If a planner wants the full amount before any work starts, ask why.

Check the contract for what happens if you postpone or cancel, and whether the planner's travel costs are included.

How to compare two wedding planner quotes

The total alone won't tell you which quote is better. Before you choose, check:

1. The service level (on-the-day, partial or full) and the list of tasks included.
2. The fee model: flat, percentage or hourly, and what it's based on.
3. Commission: does the planner get paid by suppliers?
4. The team on the day: how many people, and who your main contact is.
5. Budget tracking: will you see every line before you sign with a supplier?
6. The payment schedule: deposit amount and when the balance is due.
7. Cancellation and postponement terms.

Look at what each quote leaves for you to do. Negotiating with suppliers, reading contracts in French, booking guest hotels and transfers: if it isn't in the quote, it's your job.

Do you really need a wedding planner in Marrakech?

Not always. If you speak French, can travel out several times and have time to spare, you can plan it yourselves and book on-the-day coordination. For a multi-day wedding planned from another country, a planner makes much more sense.

We go through the pros and cons in Is a wedding planner in Marrakech worth it?. If you also want a legally binding marriage, read our guide to the legal requirements for getting married in Morocco first.

FAQ

How much does a wedding planner cost in Marrakech?
In the Marrakech market, expect €1,000 to €2,500 for on-the-day coordination, €3,000 to €6,000 for partial planning and €5,000 to €15,000 for full planning. As examples, our cost guide budgets €1,500 of coordination for 30 guests in a riad, and €12,000 of full planning for 150 guests at a palace. The detail is in our Marrakech wedding cost guide. AMÉLIE's fee for your wedding comes as a tailored proposal.

Does the planner's fee include suppliers?
No. The venue, caterer, photographer and flowers are billed separately by each supplier.

How far ahead should we book a wedding planner?
AMÉLIE recommends 12 to 18 months ahead for peak season, and 9 to 12 months for the off-season.

How many times do we need to visit Marrakech?
Most couples make one or two trips. The rest is done remotely.

Does AMÉLIE take commission from suppliers?
No. AMÉLIE takes no commissions and no kickbacks.

Get a quote for your wedding

AMÉLIE is a studio based in Marrakech since 2022, a small team of planners, coordinators and creative directors working in English, French and Arabic. Each couple is paired with a lead planner who is their main contact from the first call to the wedding day.

The quickest way to find out what your wedding would cost is to talk it through. Book a 30-minute intro call, tell us about your plans, and we'll tell you which service level fits. You can also browse our weddings or read the FAQ.