The wedding cost you won’t have planned for

Commission: The wedding cost you won't have accounted for

budgeting tips, planning advice

Commission is a long-standing practice in the wedding industry, but how it works and how it affects you as a couple is not always clear. From planners who receive commission from the venues and vendors they recommend, to those who operate on a commission-free basis, there are different models to understand when planning your wedding.

So, what exactly is commission, who pays it, and could it affect the cost of your wedding?

The crucial thing to understand is that commission isn’t necessarily a bad thing, transparency is what matters. If your wedding planner, venue or vendors are open with you about whether commission is involved, how it works and whether it affects the price you pay, you can make informed decisions and feel confident in the choices you’re making.

Why commission can sneak into your budget

It’s important to clarify whether your wedding planner will be charging commission to vendors and inflate your vendor and venue prices accordingly. Some vendors and venues will already include commission in their prices so there is no inflation, it would cost the same if you booked directly or through your planner.

The inflation arises if your planner requires a 10% commission that the vendor won’t absorb in to their base fee, your invoice therefore will read 10% more. That extra 10% lands on your invoice, even though it’s not technically part of the photographer’s service you’re choosing.

How to navigate commission

Simply ask. Don’t sign a contract until you know if commission is a requirement for your wedding planner and understand how it works in detail. If a planner requires commission and a vendor will not grant it, it can lead to that vendor being ruled out for your wedding, which can be very unfortunate if you wished to work with them.

When the planner or venue is upfront with how commission is included in quotes, you can compare costs clearly. If one wedding planner has a lower fee and adds commission, another has a higher fee and no commission, they may end up costing the same.

Commission can also be built in to costs

It’s important to note that many venues and some vendors build commission in to their costs. So a photographer costs €5,000 as a flat fee and the wedding planner is gifted €500. This is ‘built in’ commission. Almost all planners will accept this gift.

Planner fee and commission structures:

Set fee + Commission

You pay a flat fee, plus the planner accepts 10% from vendors like the photographer or florist.

Percentage fee + Commission

The planner charges, 10-15% of your total wedding budget and then adds commission from vendors.

Straight percentage fee (No Commission)

A clean, clear percentage – say, 10–15% of the total budget, with no commission.

Flat fee only

A fixed amount with no commission at all, keeping pricing predictable.

LL Tip

When comparing vendors or venues, always convert proposals into a total cost which includes any commission for an accurate view.

Don’t let commission upend your budget

Demand transparency from the get-go

Ask: “Do you take commission? Is it added on top of vendor costs or built in to the fee?” Have the answer written in to your wedding planning contract.

Understand if you can only choose from a limited list of vendors

Planners and venues like to recommend vendors that have good relationships and experience of working with them. Occasionally, a planner or venue may recommend a specific list of vendors because they will receive a commission from them. It’s okay if you’re happy with this and understand the commission model they’re using. It’s not okay if this is not presented honestly and you feel pressured to choose vendors you don’t want for your wedding, or vendors you do want are having to take a hit and absorb commission under pressure from a planner.

Compare apples with apples

A €4,000 flat-fee planner may sound cheaper than a €10,000 flat fee, but if they’re also earning €6,000 in commissions from vendors, then you’re actually likely to be paying more.

Work with ethical models that align with your values

Understanding commission and how it impacts you and your vendors and venue is an important factor in how you and your team feel about your wedding.

Use La Lista’s vetted network

Our Directory only promotes vendors and venues who are trusted to give clear pricing, agree to our Code of Ethics and are committed to transparency for their couples.

The best advice? Simply get all the figures and facts at the beginning, so you are fully informed. For ongoing support and detail around planner contracts and how this all works, Join The Club, our planning membership and be coached through your wedding decisions by experienced planner, Lucy White. Get a planner in your pocket today.