How Much Does a Wedding Planner Cost in Des Moines?
If you’re getting married in Des Moines, you’ve probably wondered: How much does a wedding planner actually cost here? The truth is, pricing can vary widely depending on the level of service you need, your venue, and how complex your wedding day will be. This guide breaks down the average cost of wedding planners in Des Moines, what impacts pricing, and what you can expect to invest if you want a smooth, stress-free wedding experience.
Whether you’re getting married at a timeless venue like Rollins Mansion or planning a chic downtown celebration at the Surety Hotel, having a planner on your team can save you time, money, and a ton of stress. Let’s break it all down.
Photo by: Honey Lens Photography
The Average Cost of a Wedding Planner in Des Moines
When couples search for a Des Moines wedding planner, one of the first questions they ask is how much different planning services actually cost—and why. Pricing can vary widely depending on the level of support you choose, the complexity of your vision, and the experience of the planner. Whether you're considering full-service planning, a Planning + Design package, or wedding management/day-of coordination, each option offers a different depth of involvement and expertise. Below, we break down the average cost of each service in Des Moines and explain what couples can expect at every investment level so you can choose the package that best fits your needs, style, and wedding-day goals.
Full-Service Wedding Planning
In Des Moines, full-service wedding planning typically ranges from $5,500 to $12,000+, depending on the planner’s experience, the scope of the event, the wedding design complexity, and the amount of support included. This is the most comprehensive level of service and the most popular choice for couples who want a stress-free experience from start to finish.
At Elizabeth Bliss Events, our full-service planning package is designed for couples who want a high-touch, luxury planning experience with expert guidance through every step. This option is ideal for weddings at iconic Des Moines venues like the elegant Rollins Mansion, the historic Salisbury House, or modern hotel settings like the Surety Hotel.
Here’s what full-service wedding planning typically includes—and what we offer at EBE:
✓ Vendor Sourcing, Vetting, & Management
We research, recommend, and secure the best Des Moines wedding vendors for your style and budget — including photographers, florists, caterers, rentals, DJs, videographers, stationery designers, and more. We handle inquiries, availability checks, communication, and scheduling.
✓ Comprehensive Wedding Design
From color palettes and mood boards to 3D layouts and custom design concepts, we help you create a cohesive, intentional wedding aesthetic. This includes sourcing rentals, lighting, decor, linens, floral direction, signage, and ceremony/reception layouts.
✓ Budget Guidance & Payment Tracking
We help you build a realistic, efficient budget based on Des Moines market averages and keep you updated on all payments and due dates. No surprises, no hidden fees — just clarity.
✓ Timeline Creation & Logistics Coordination
We create detailed timelines for your entire wedding weekend — including the rehearsal, ceremony, reception, vendor setup, tear-down schedules, transportation, and photo timelines.
✓ Unlimited Planning Meetings
Whether in-person or virtual, we meet as often as you need to make decisions, review design concepts, discuss logistics, and ensure everything stays on track.
✓ Full Wedding-Day Management & Execution
On your wedding day, our team handles every detail:
vendor arrivals
decor setup
ceremony direction
timeline flow
reception transitions
problem-solving
communication
teardown & load-out
You relax and enjoy the day — we handle everything behind the scenes.
✓ Access to Planning Tools
You receive access to our preferred planning platform with checklists, timelines, file uploads, vendor contacts, contracts, and design boards all in one place.
Partial Planning / Planning + Design
Partial Planning — often referred to as Planning + Design — typically ranges from $3,500 to $7,000 in Des Moines. This service is perfect for couples who have already booked a few core vendors or chosen their venue, but still want expert guidance with design, logistics, timeline creation, and the cohesive execution of their wedding day vision.
For many couples getting married at sought-after Des Moines venues like the timeless Salisbury House, the modern-chic Surety Hotel, or the dramatic Des Moines Heritage Center, Planning + Design strikes the perfect balance between creative support and logistical expertise.
At Elizabeth Bliss Events, our Planning + Design package is ideal for couples who want a polished, elevated aesthetic—without taking on the stress of managing every moving part on their own.
Here’s what planning + design typically includes—and what we offer at EBE:
✓ Custom Wedding Design & Creative Direction
We create a full visual concept for your event based on your style, colors, venue, and vision. This includes:
curated mood boards
color palettes
tablescape design
ceremony design concepts
rental + linen sourcing
floral direction
layout development for both ceremony and reception
Your wedding won’t be cookie-cutter — it will be intentional, cohesive, and stunning from start to finish.
✓ Vendor Recommendations & Coordination
Already booked a few vendors? Great. Need help filling in the gaps? We handle that, too.
We’ll recommend trusted Des Moines photographers, florists, caterers, DJs, rental companies, and more — all matched to your style and budget. We assist with outreach, collecting proposals, and reviewing options so you make confident decisions.
✓ Logistics Support & Planning Oversight
We help guide your planning process as you book additional vendors or make decisions.
This includes reviewing contracts, offering budget insights, helping with décor selections, and keeping you on track.
✓ Final Timeline Creation & Communication
As the wedding approaches, we step in to build a detailed, minute-by-minute timeline for your wedding day and communicate directly with all vendors involved. That way everyone is aligned, the day feels smooth, and nothing is left overlooked.
✓ Month-Of / Wedding Day Management
Although this package isn’t full-service, you still receive professional management leading up to the wedding and expert coordination on the day itself.
Your EBE team will oversee setup, manage vendors, run the timeline, and handle all the behind-the-scenes details so you stay stress-free.
✓ Access to Our Planning Tools
You’ll receive access to our planning platform, complete with checklists, timeline tools, design boards, file storage, and communication logs. Everything stays organized in one place.
Day-Of / Wedding Management
Wedding Management—often referred to as “Day-Of Coordination”—typically ranges from $2,500 to $3,500 in Des Moines. This service is ideal for couples who have handled most of the planning themselves but want a professional to step in during the final stretch to tie everything together, finalize logistics, and ensure the wedding day runs seamlessly.
This package is perfect for weddings at busy, logistics-heavy Des Moines venues such as Rollins Mansion, the elegant Salisbury House, or modern urban spaces like the Surety Hotel—where having an experienced coordinator on-site makes all the difference.
At Elizabeth Bliss Events, our Wedding Management service is built for couples who want peace of mind, a flawlessly executed timeline, and a wedding day where everything is handled behind the scenes so you can be fully present.
Here’s what is typically included—and what we offer at EBE:
✓ Coordination Begins 4–8 Weeks Before the Wedding
This is when we formally step in and take over all final planning tasks.
We confirm vendor details, gather contracts, finalize layouts, review timelines, and make sure every detail you’ve planned is organized and ready to go.
✓ Vendor Communication & Final Confirmations
We contact every vendor involved—photographers, DJs, florists, rental companies, venues, officiants, transportation—and confirm:
arrival times
contact information
setup needs
final payments
load-in/load-out logistics
timeline flow
We become the main point of contact so vendors come directly to us, not you.
✓ Detailed, Professional Timeline Creation
We create a complete timeline covering the:
rehearsal
ceremony
photos
dinner service
speeches
reception flow
vendor arrivals
tear-down
This timeline is distributed to all vendors so everyone is completely aligned.
✓ Rehearsal Direction
We attend and run your rehearsal so your wedding party feels confident and knows where they need to be and when.
✓ Full Day-Of Coordination & Management
On the wedding day, our team is on-site from setup to teardown managing every logistical detail.
This includes:
coordinating vendor arrivals
overseeing décor setup
managing the timeline
assisting the wedding party
fixing problems discreetly
cueing transitions (processional, speeches, dances, etc.)
ensuring your ceremony and reception spaces look perfect
distributing final payments or gratuities if needed
end-of-night tear-down coordination
You—and your families—get to enjoy the day completely without having to manage anything.
✓ Emergency Kit + Problem Solving
From bustling dresses to fixing boutonnières to handling last-minute changes, we’re equipped with everything needed to keep the day running smoothly.
What Impacts Wedding Planning Costs in Des Moines?
1. Venue Type & Location
Large or complex venues like the Des Moines Heritage Center require more coordination than smaller or all-inclusive spaces.
2. Guest Count
More guests = more logistics, transportation needs, layout planning, and staff required.
3. Wedding Style & Design Needs
A luxury-level event with custom installs, specialty rentals, statement florals, or detailed design work requires more planning hours.
4. Travel & Multi-Day Events
If your planner is traveling from Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, or another area of Eastern Iowa — or if you’re hosting multiple events, like welcome parties or brunch — this may affect pricing.
5. Experience & Team Size
Highly experienced planners with strong vendor relationships typically have higher starting rates — and tend to save couples more money overall through expert planning and vendor management.
Is Hiring a Wedding Planner Worth the Investment?
Without question — yes. Especially in a fast-growing wedding market like Des Moines, where popular venues book out 12–24 months in advance, top vendors fill their calendars quickly, and wedding-day logistics are far more complex than they appear on social media.
A skilled wedding planner does far more than show up on the wedding day with a timeline. They become your advocate, your guide, your designer, your problem-solver, and your stress buffer from the moment you book. Think of a planner as both a creative partner and a logistical expert — someone who can translate your ideas into a cohesive, beautiful design and manage every moving piece behind the scenes.
Couples in Des Moines consistently hire planners because they want to:
✔ Save dozens of hours of research, communication, and decision-making
✔ Avoid costly mistakes, hidden fees, and vendor mismatches
✔ Reduce stress by trusting someone who knows exactly what to do and when
✔ Stay on budget with guidance that prevents overspending
✔ Have a flawless, on-time wedding day with no disruptions
✔ Bring a design vision to life with professional styling, rentals, and creative direction
✔ Ensure their families and wedding party can relax instead of managing vendors
✔ Enjoy every moment — because someone else is handling the chaos
The reality? A planner doesn’t just coordinate a wedding.
A planner protects your budget, your vision, your timeline, your relationships, and—most importantly—your peace of mind.
When you invest in a professional wedding planner, you’re investing in:
✨ A smoother engagement season
✨ A beautifully curated and cohesive design
✨ A stress-free planning process
✨ An elevated guest experience
✨ A wedding day that feels intentional, not rushed
And in a place like Des Moines—where venues, transportation logistics, vendor availability, and Midwest weather can all create last-minute complications—a planner is often the difference between a chaotic wedding day and a seamless, unforgettable celebration.
Cost Savings Planners Bring (That Most Couples Don’t Realize)
One of the biggest misconceptions about hiring a wedding planner is that it’s an extra expense. In reality, a professional Des Moines wedding planner often saves couples far more money than they spend — not just through discounts, but through expertise, strategy, and preventing costly mistakes that most couples never see coming.
Here’s how planners help you protect your budget from day one:
✓ Matching You With the Right Vendors — the First Time
A planner knows which Des Moines vendors align with your style, priorities, and budget. Instead of spending thousands booking the wrong fit or scrambling for replacements, your planner pairs you with trusted professionals who deliver exactly what you need. This alone can save couples hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars in avoidable missteps.
✓ Preventing Contract Mistakes
Wedding contracts are full of fine print — overtime fees, travel charges, cancellation policies, service minimums, delivery fees, and more. Planners catch red flags, negotiate terms, and ensure you’re never surprised by hidden costs. Protecting you from these unexpected expenses can quickly offset the cost of a planning package.
✓ Avoiding Unnecessary Décor Spending
Many couples overspend on décor simply because they don’t know what items are actually needed, what the venue already provides, or what can be repurposed throughout the day.
A planner helps you:
avoid duplicate purchases
choose rentals over buying
repurpose ceremony florals for the reception
streamline your design plan
prioritize elements that have the biggest visual impact
This can save hundreds — sometimes thousands — while still creating a stunning, cohesive look.
✓ Strategic Budget Allocation
A planner knows exactly where your money matters most. They guide you on how to:
stretch your budget
choose high-impact vendors
avoid overspending on low-priority details
prevent impulse purchases
plan realistically based on Des Moines pricing
This kind of financial strategy is invaluable, especially for design-heavy or large guest count weddings.
✓ Avoiding Rush Fees & Last-Minute Costs
When couples plan alone, they often fall behind — which leads to rush printing fees, overnight shipping charges, late vendor booking fees, and last-minute rental orders.
A planner keeps your timeline on track so you avoid those “we need this tomorrow” panic purchases.
✓ Stress Reduction = Better Decisions
Stressed couples tend to overspend, double book, or make quick choices that cost more money long-term. Having a planner managing the process helps you make calm, informed decisions that stick.
The Truth? A Good Planner Pays for Themselves.
Many couples tell us that hiring a wedding planner was the smartest financial decision they made for their entire wedding. Between vendor guidance, contract protection, design direction, and budget strategy, planners save couples thousands—not only in dollars, but in time, stress, and avoidable frustration.
When you’re investing in a wedding in Des Moines, having an expert on your side isn’t a luxury.
It’s one of the most effective ways to protect your vision and your budget.
Choosing to work with a professional wedding planner in Des Moines isn’t just about outsourcing tasks — it’s about elevating your entire planning experience from engagement to “I do.” Whether you’re envisioning a romantic estate wedding at the historic Salisbury House, a chic downtown celebration at the stylish Surety Hotel, or a modern editorial-style event in the heart of the city, having a planner ensures your day unfolds seamlessly and beautifully.
A seasoned planner brings far more than coordination. They offer creative design direction, trusted vendor recommendations, budget guidance, timeline mastery, and complete logistical support. They advocate for your vision, protect your investment, and handle every behind-the-scenes detail so you, your family, and your wedding party can be fully present and stress-free.
In a growing wedding market like Des Moines — where popular venues book quickly and vendor calendars fill fast — hiring an expert planner is one of the smartest decisions you can make. From luxury weddings to outdoor estate celebrations and intimate gatherings, a planner ensures your wedding looks, feels, and flows exactly the way you imagined.
If you’re ready to begin planning your Des Moines wedding and you want support that blends organization, creativity, and a deeply personalized experience, we would love to help bring your vision to life. Let’s create a celebration that reflects your story, your style, and everything you’ve been dreaming of for your wedding day.