There is no single price for a wedding planner in Kenya, because no two weddings ask for the same work. A planner running a 600-guest reception plus a traditional ceremony upcountry is doing a different job from one coordinating a 60-guest garden wedding on the day. What you can understand is how planners charge, so that quotes become comparable.
- Planners charge in four main ways: a percentage of the wedding budget, a flat fee, a day-of coordination fee, or an all-in package.
- Percentage fees are commonly somewhere around 10 to 20 percent of the budget as a general range. Treat it as a guide, not a rule.
- The planner’s fee is usually a small part of the total. Venue, catering, décor and entertainment make up most of it.
- Compare quotes on scope: how many ceremonies, meetings, site visits and hours on the day.
How wedding planners charge
A percentage of the wedding budget
The planner’s fee is a share of the total spend. As a general range, this is often somewhere around 10 to 20 percent, with smaller weddings tending towards the higher end. It scales with the size of the job. The downside is that it can reward higher spending, so ask how the planner treats savings they negotiate.
A flat fee
A fixed amount for a defined scope. It is easy to budget for. Make sure the scope is written down: number of meetings, site visits, supplier calls, rehearsals and hours on the day.
Day-of coordination fee
For couples who plan most things themselves and want a professional to run the day. Usually a flat fee. Good coordinators still want to start a few weeks before, to meet suppliers and build the timeline.
All-in packages
Some organisers sell wedding packages that bundle venue, catering, décor, sound and sometimes photography, priced per guest or as a total. They are easy to compare at a glance. Check carefully what is excluded, and whether you can swap suppliers.
The same models apply to other events. Our guide to how event planners charge in Kenya covers corporate events in the same way.
Full, partial or day-of planning
| Level of service | What it usually covers | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Full planning | Budget, venue search, design, all suppliers, guest logistics, the day itself. | Busy couples, large weddings, couples living abroad. |
| Partial planning | The planner joins part-way, takes over some suppliers and runs the day. | Couples who have booked the venue and a few key suppliers. |
| Day-of coordination | Timeline, supplier confirmations, rehearsal and managing the day. | Organised couples, smaller weddings. |
| Consultation | A few paid sessions for advice, supplier lists and a plan. | Couples planning alone who want a professional view. |
Kenyan weddings often involve more than one event. A planner may be asked to handle the dowry ceremony, the church or civil wedding and the reception, or only one of them. Each extra event adds work and should be clear in the quote. Our guide to Kenyan wedding customs explains the different ceremonies.
What pushes the cost up or down
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Guest numbers | The biggest driver of catering, seating, tents, transport and staff on the day. |
| Number of ceremonies | A traditional ceremony and a reception are two events, with two sets of logistics. |
| Location | Weddings away from home, such as at Lake Naivasha or Diani Beach, add travel, accommodation and site visits. |
| Date | Popular months and weekends book out early, and suppliers price accordingly. |
| Design complexity | Custom décor, multiple outfit changes and themed set-ups need more coordination. |
| Planner’s experience and team size | A larger team on the day costs more and handles more. |
| How much the couple does | Couples who book some suppliers themselves can pay for a lighter scope. |
A worked example
Take a couple planning a reception for 300 guests with a total budget of KES 2,000,000. If a planner charges 12 percent, the fee is KES 240,000, and KES 1,760,000 goes to the venue, catering, décor, sound, entertainment and other suppliers. A flat-fee planner might quote a fixed sum for the same scope instead.
These figures only show the arithmetic. They are not a price list, and they are not our rates. Your wedding will differ.
Ask about supplier commissions. Some planners receive commissions from suppliers they recommend. That is not always a problem, but you should know. Ask directly how the planner is paid and whether any supplier prices include a mark-up.
How to compare planner quotes
- Get the scope in writing. Which events, how many meetings and site visits, hours on the day, number of staff.
- Ask for a sample budget. A good planner can show you a line-by-line budget for a wedding like yours.
- Check who pays suppliers. Directly by you, or through the planner? Ask for supplier invoices either way.
- Check extras. Travel, accommodation for out-of-town weddings, overtime and additional events.
- Ask for the payment schedule. A deposit is normal, with staged payments. Be careful with full payment up front.
- Ask for references. Recent couples you can call, and photos from real weddings.
- Meet the person who runs the day. In bigger firms, the person who sells may not be the one on site.
Before you meet planners, gather the basics: a date range, guest count, the events involved, location ideas and a budget. Our event planning checklist helps, and our guide to choosing a caterer covers the biggest line in most wedding budgets.
Planning a large celebration?
We plan and produce events with line-by-line budgets and one team on the day. Send us your date, guest numbers and location.
Quick answers
How much does a wedding planner cost in Kenya?
It depends on scope, guest numbers and location. Planners charge a percentage of the budget, often around 10 to 20 percent as a general range, a flat fee, a day-of fee or an all-in package.
Is a day-of coordinator enough?
For a well-organised couple with a smaller wedding, often yes. For large weddings, multiple ceremonies or couples living abroad, full or partial planning is usually safer.
When should we hire a wedding planner?
As early as possible, ideally before booking the venue. Planners can help you avoid expensive mistakes at the venue stage.
Do wedding planners get commissions from suppliers?
Some do. Ask directly how the planner is paid and whether supplier prices include any mark-up, so you can compare quotes fairly.
