Expertise.com

2024

Last updated:

Best Wedding Planners in Raleigh

Our Recommended Top 14

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Raleigh Wedding Planners on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

96Reviewed

63Curated

14Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
4040 Forty Niners Rd, Clayton, NC 27520

Why choose this provider?

Timeless Love Weddings is a wedding planning company established in 2017 that dedicates itself to helping couples plan wedding day experiences that focus on their style and love story. Based in Raleigh, the company is led by Jaclyn Hamilton, a Bridal Society-certified wedding planner. The company offers partial and full wedding planning services, elopement planning, South Asian wedding planning, and on-the-day wedding management. Timeless Love Weddings works with couples to create an in-depth plan that stays within the wedding budget.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (21)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (10)

Website
Raleigh, NC 27609

Why choose this provider?

Elana Walker is a certified wedding planner creating custom events in North Carolina and beyond. Walker and her experienced team of wedding experts can take care of wedding planning, design, and coordination. The company's work has been featured in Brides, Weddings, and The Knot. Happy clients praise Elana Walker’s passion and responsiveness.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (36)
Google
4.7 / 5 (15)

Website
Durham, NC 27707

Why choose this provider?

Sabrina Seymore Events is a Durham-based wedding and event planner serving North Carolina as well as the surrounding states. For weddings, the company provides full-service wedding planning, partial planning, day-of coordination, and destination wedding planning. In addition, the company can manage special events, corporate events, entertainment industry events, and charity and non-profit events. Satisfied clients appreciate Sabrina Seymore Event’s professionalism and responsiveness.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (25)
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

Website
Durham, NC 27705

Why choose this provider?

Grace Leisure Events is a Durham-based company that has been planning weddings and special events for over a decade. The company specializes in weddings, fundraisers, and social events, offering full-service planning, day-of coordination, and hourly consulting. Grace Leisure Events has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and was included in Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book and Wedding Wire's Couples' Choice Awards 2016.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Raleigh, NC 27603

Why choose this provider?

Shawn Schindler Events boasts over a decade of experience planning weddings and special events. This qualified, Raleigh-based team offers full-service wedding planning, partial wedding planning, wedding weekend coordination, and a variety of a la carte services. In addition, the team creates and executes corporate and social events. Shawn Schindler Events is a Southern Bride & Groom preferred vendor and was featured in Wedding Wire's Couples’ Choice Awards 2015.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (70)
Google
5.0 / 5 (13)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Raleigh, NC 27601

Why choose this provider?

Nouveau Events provides wedding and event planning services in North Carolina and beyond. For weddings, the events team provides full-service wedding planning, partial planning and coordination, event design and coordination, and day-of coordination. In addition, the company provides planning packages for cooperate events. Striving to pay special attention to each client, Nouveau Events only takes on a handful of clients each year. Nouveau Events has been featured on Style Me Pretty, The Knot, Inspired Weddings, and more.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (21)

Website
Raleigh, NC 27624

Why choose this provider?

Premier Party Planners does weddings and events in Raleigh and the greater Triangle area. For weddings, the team provides full-service wedding planning, day-of coordination, brainstorm sessions, design consultations, and custom packages. In addition, the company plans and executes corporate and private events. Premier Party Planners has been The Knot's Best of Weddings pick and earned a spot in Wedding Wire's Couples' Choice Awards and Wedding Wire's Bride's Choice Awards.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (62)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Raleigh, NC 27605

Why choose this provider?

A Southern Soiree is a Raleigh-based wedding and event planner that serves the entire southeast region. The company provides full-service wedding planning, corporate event planning, and venue consulting, and offers its industry knowledge at speaking engagements. A Southern Soiree has been featured in a number of publications including Southern Bride & Groom, The Knot, and Style Me Pretty.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.9 / 5 (86)
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (13)

Website
Raleigh, NC 27614

Why choose this provider?

La Cosa Bella is a Raleigh wedding planner offering a variety of services to please any bride and groom. The company offers full-service planning, taking care of every detail, from venue selection to event design. In addition, La Cosa Bella provides partial service and day-of coordination. Finally, hourly consulting is also available. Clients of La Cosa Bella praise the staff’s knowledge and caring nature.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (14)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)

Website
Raleigh, NC 27617

Why choose this provider?

Erin McLean Events is a North Carolina wedding and event planner. McLean provides full-service wedding planning and design, as well as event design and management. She specializes in tailored details, wishing every bride to receive her custom vision. Erin McLean's work has been featured in many publications, including Southern Wedding, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, Borrowed & Blue, and much more.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Facebook
4.9 / 5 (16)

Website
Raleigh, NC 27608

Why choose this provider?

Wedding and special event planner Sally Oakley has over a decade of experience in the industry. Her Raleigh-based team provides its expert services to the greater North Carolina Area. Sally Oakley Weddings & Events offers both full service and day-of coordination, depending on the needs of the bride and groom. Happy clients appreciate Sally Oakley’s immense knowledge and attention to detail.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (30)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (3)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Website
Durham, NC 27705

Why choose this provider?

A Swanky Affair is a Durham-based wedding planner. Owner Amanda Scott has years of experience in the industry and provides full-service wedding planning, creating custom weddings for each unique bride and groom. Her exceptional work has been featured in a number of publications, including Southern Bride & Groom, Weddings, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, The New York Times, Essence, and more.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (9)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Raleigh, NC 27609

Why choose this provider?

A Paradigm Shift Event does weddings and events in the greater Raleigh-Durham area. Owner and event designer Jocelyn Warren is a certified wedding planner and has over two decades of experience. Warren and her team offer a variety of services, including full-service planning, coordination, consultations, day-of coordination, and décor and design services. A Paradigm Shift Event has been featured in Elegant Wedding and has been included in Wedding Wire's Couples' Choice Awards 2015 and 2016.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (12)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Raleigh, NC 27608

Why choose this provider?

La Fete is a Raleigh wedding and special event planner. For weddings, La Fete provides full-service planning, partial planning service, design, décor, and weekend coordination. The company also does party planning and production, as well as corporate events. La Fete is a Style Me Pretty Little Black Book member and was featured in Wedding Wire’s Couples' Choice Awards for six years straight, and counting.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

FAQs

  • Introduction

    A wedding planner can be a significant help on your special day. The happy couple and their closest loved ones should be able to enjoy their wedding day without worries. A wedding planner eases the burden off the couple, handles any problems that arise during the planning process and on the wedding day, and helps to put on a fantastic wedding.

  • How do you become a wedding planner?

    There are courses and diplomas people can take to become a certified wedding planner; however, it’s not necessary. Regardless of if an individual gets a certification, the most essential step is to gain experience. Most wedding planners start by doing a few free weddings to build a portfolio. That portfolio can be used to promote the business and attract new clients.

  • How much does a wedding planner cost?

    The national average cost of a wedding planner in 2019 was $1,500. However, it should be noted that this can vary dramatically. Average costs can vary from state to state. Additionally, factors such as the size of the wedding, the level of planning, the extravagance of the wedding, and the wedding planner’s experience can all change pricing.

  • Do wedding planners have specialties?

    Yes, wedding planners can have specialties. For example, some wedding planners may specialize in destination weddings. Or wedding planners can specialize in the extent of wedding support they offer. A day-of-coordinator will only arrive on the day of the wedding and help during the day. In comparison, a complete wedding planner will help with the planning and execution of the wedding.

  • How do you know if you need a wedding planner?

    Hiring a wedding planner is a personal choice. Ultimately, the wedding couple needs to decide if they have the budget for a planner and if they believe the investment to be worth it. For example, some people enjoy planning events, so they wouldn’t need a wedding planner. Conversely, planning stresses other people, so it might be a task they want to outsource.

  • Is there a certification to become a wedding planner?

    The wedding planning certification industry is “largely unregulated.” This means that while you can get a wedding planner certification, it might not always be from a qualified source. One trusted source is the certification from the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners.  

    A certification can be a great asset, but there are many qualified wedding planners who don’t have a certification.

  • How do you find a destination wedding planner?

    Planning a destination wedding is very different from planning a local wedding. You’ll want to find someone who has experience organizing a destination wedding.

    Many destinations offer an in-house wedding planner. However, if you need to find your own destination wedding planner, local Facebook wedding groups are an excellent place to ask for referrals.