Turnkey wedding or event planning: how to choose a planner
What “turnkey” means
A planner takes on everything or part of it: finding the venue, catering, a host and music, decor, photo and video, and coordination on the day. Some work only on the day as a coordinator, and some lead the whole process over several months. So it is important to spell out exactly what you are handing over, because “turnkey” means different things to different studios.
Decide separately whether you already have a venue. If the restaurant is chosen, the planner works within its terms, and if not, finding a venue adds a stage and affects the budget.
How to work out the budget
The total is made up of the venue, food and drinks, decor, performers and the planner's own fee. A planner charges a fixed sum, a percentage of the budget, or a package. Ask how exactly the fee is calculated and whether discounts from partners pass on to you or stay with them. This directly affects the total.
How to find a planner through BlaBlaPrice
On BlaBlaPrice you describe the event once, and planners and agencies reply in the chat: what they offer, how they work and for what sum. Reviews of the provider are shown next to each offer. Planners can see where their offer ranks and compete on terms, so the price and the services included often come out better. Only the one you choose sees your contacts.
What to put in your request
- Event — wedding, office party, birthday, anniversary, children's party.
- Number of guests.
- Date or month.
- City or region.
- Budget for the whole event.
- What to include — hall, catering, host, music, decor, photo and video, coordination.
- Style and concept — an outdoor ceremony, boho, a themed party.
- Venue — already booked, or needs to be found.
Example: “We are planning a wedding for 60 guests in February 2027, near Udaipur. We need turnkey planning: a hall or a resort venue, a host, decor and photography. Boho style, an outdoor ceremony. Total budget up to R 160,000.”
What to ask a planner
- Who from the team will work on your event, and whether there will be a coordinator on the day.
- Which contractors are included in the package, and whether you can replace anyone with your own choice.
- How the contract is drawn up, the payment schedule, and what happens if the date is moved.
- Whether they will show the contractors' quotes separately.
Ask for examples of similar events and talk to previous clients, if possible. A transparent quote that shows the price of each item is easier to compare than a single sum.
If you want to organise part of it yourself
You can hand over only some blocks. For a venue look at banquet halls, for the programme at hosts and musicians, for decoration at decor and floristry, and for food at catering. How the service works, you will find on the “How it works” page.
