Everything you need to know about Italian wedding commission
Wedding commission - it’s a very small part of Italian wedding planning, but one which is not talked about enough.
When planning your Italian wedding, commission can dramatically affect your wedding budget and in turn your stress levels, so get to know the facts with our breakdown now!
It is a percentage of the fee you pay your supplier or venue, which gets passed on to the person who got them that booking.
For example: a wedding planner introduces a couple to a photographer, who they book. The wedding planner would expect 10% back from the amount that the photographer charges that couple.
It is common practice in many European countries.
A photographer who charges €3,000 is approached by a wedding planner who says they have a couple who wishes to work with them. But the planner works on commission and wants the photographer to add 10% on top of their fee, making it €3,300 for the couple. The planner gets their commission, the photographer their fee but the couple ends up paying €300 more than if they had gone direct or worked with a planner who doesn't work on commission.
Couples struggle when A. they haven't factored this additional amount into their budget and B. may be completely unaware of wedding commission.
There is a model where suppliers and venues pay the fee within the quoted cost of the service ie. an amount is not added on top. The price would be the same if the couple or planner went direct to the supplier or venue.
Planner a - flat fee of 10,000 euro
Planner b - fee of 4000 euro + commission through planning
Both total 10,000 euro fee. Looking at costs and proposals transparently like this, allows couples to make the best decision.
If a planner only works with suppliers who are happy to work with this commission model, then they will only be recommending their choice of the potential suppliers who are available.
Many planners have preferred supplier lists but this is not always driven by commission agreements. As long as you know what your options will be before booking, all is well.
Ask your planner or venue if they work with a commission model. Request a clear explanation of what this looks like for your wedding costs and choice of suppliers. Transparency upfront means you can factor these costs into your budget and have the knowledge that you will be selecting suppliers from their list.
If you decide to work with a planner or venue who works on commission, just do your figures at the start and work out exactly what you are paying and to whom.
There are advantages of planners and venues only working with set suppliers and we are by no means saying don't plan your wedding in this way. Our biggest advice is to simply get all the figures and facts at the beginning, so you are fully informed.
Why not ask other Italian wedding couples their experiences of Italian wedding commission with planners or venues? Come on over to our private Facebook group, and join the conversation with over 1,500 couples in your shoes.
Written by Emily Jennings, marketing person and wedding day-dreamer; lover of a boho vibe and a wedding night filled with a thousand lights.
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PLANNING | REAL WEDDING | BUSINESS | SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT | INSPIRATION |WANDERLUST
