Brian JonesCall it a humbling experience, but one brutal lesson I learned years ago was this: throwing a River Valley function isn’t just about vibes and a decent playlist.
Getting those suppliers and decor alone broke my zen. And don’t get me started on the permits…
But hey, pride cometh before the fall. What’s important is that I now leave shindigs to experts who actually plan/host birthdays, weddings, and other events.
If you need recos (or want to avoid headaches), we got you. This list is exclusive to party planners who consistently keep guests happy and the celebrations running smoothly.
How much do party planners charge in Edmonton?
In Edmonton, party planners often charge $800–$1,000 for birthdays or intimate gatherings, $3,000–$5,000 for corporate events, and $8,000–$10,000 for weddings.
The costs are highly influenced by the event type and the planner’s business model, with some offering flat fees and others charging hourly rates.
1. Olivia Fata Events
Serviced Area: Edmonton
You don’t have to lose sleep by hiring the award-winning Olivia Fata Events. They handle the nitty-gritty, and from what we heard, these folks solve problems behind the scenes.
In terms of specialty, theirs is wedding day management (though you can book them for any event). The package for that includes concept development, floor planning, vendor management, rehearsals, and ceremony oversight.
Olivia herself is said to be an expert in managing timelines. She doesn’t micromanage but is quite meticulous and even flexible enough to sort out changes on short notice.
The rates feel proper for Edmonton budgets too. On-site styling kicks off at $1,250, while more complete packages, like wedding management and event planning, start at $1,800–$2,750.
Clients after a massive crew might find this bunch a tad modest in size, though. Booking dates can also fill up quickly, given their popularity among couples.
Great Tips
Olivia was the greatest day-of coordinator my husband and I could have asked for. We were a bit late to the game deciding on whether or not we wanted a day-of coordinator, but as we got closer to the wedding date it became clear we needed some help. Immediately after our first call with Olivia I knew she was our perfect person! She was incredibly detailed and organized, with lots of great tips and suggestions. She coordinated and communicated seamlessly with all of our vendors leading up to the wedding. Many of them commented that they knew our day was in good hands with Olivia and her team. She executed the vision for our welcome table perfectly, the table decor looked stunning, and she made a few decisions day-of that were brilliant without ever bothering us with a question. Getting tear down service at the end of the night ensured we could enjoy our day to the very last moment and everything was packed up with care. She and her team are experts and we would recommend them for any wedding or event!!
– Nicole Kelly, Google Review
We would have done it without Olivia
Olivia Fata Events was truly incredible from beginning to end. We don’t know how we would have done it without Olivia. From the very beginning she was quick to respond and always gave us clear, detailed answers to our questions. Her recommendations were spot on and she took care of organizing every part of the day so we never had to stress about the little details or logistics.
On our wedding day we were able to fully relax and enjoy ourselves because Olivia and Chelsea handled everything behind the scenes. If there were any issues, we never knew about them. They made sure not only we could enjoy our day, but also that our families could just be present and celebrate with us.
Olivia is warm, friendly, and incredibly professional. She made the entire process feel easy and enjoyable. Hiring her was honestly the best decision we made in our planning. If you want to actually enjoy your wedding day without worrying about a thing, then we would highly recommend having Olivia as your planner.
– Kendra Ophus, Google Review
2. Enchanted Princess Parties
Serviced Area: Edmonton
Contact Details:
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 10 am to 7 pm
- Sat to Sun – 10 am to 9 pm
Enchanted Princess Parties is the planner to phone if you want Snow White or Spiderman to be a part of your kiddo’s birthday (how about having the party in one of these birthday venues?).
Brand-wise, the company is built on “character integrity.” In other words, you’ll book performers who embody the role in looks, voice, and behaviour.
Most of their entertainers are also trained childcare pros who can work with children on the spectrum and with sensory activities.
And no, they’re not solely for the little ones. Many have booked them for corporate events and balls for adults.
The range isn’t limited either. Princesses and heroes aside, they have monsters, villains, seasonal characters (like the Easter Bunny), and even customized characters.
Sadly, the comms don’t always hit. We’ve spoken with clients who moaned about late emails.
It’s also no shock their calendar fills up fast. After all, Enchanted Princess Parties clocks in at over 13 years, and people love seasoned planners.
Such a Blast
We hired Elsa for our daughter’s fourth birthday party and it was such a blast! She was on time and in full character! She did makeup application, colouring, a game, crafts and singing. Her voice was beautiful! Highly recommend!
– Andrea Stenger, Google Review
Never a Dull Moment
We had Moana and Ariel join us for our daughter’s 3rd birthday party this past weekend, and it was truly magical! The look on our daughter’s face when they arrived was absolutely priceless. They kept all the kids engaged with face painting, makeovers, crafts, dancing, and games. There was never a dull moment! Their costumes were fantastic, and they stayed in character the entire time, which made the experience even more special. The booking process was smooth, and communication was excellent throughout. We’re already looking forward to our next princess party!
– Nicole White, Google Review
3. Jennifer Bergman Weddings and Events
Address: 10110 124 St #200
Contact Details: +1 780-298-8244
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 10 am to 6 pm
- Fri – 10 am to 4 pm
Experience is one major reason you see Jennifer Bergman Weddings and Events here. We’re talking about 16-plus years in party planning and a portfolio that goes beyond 450 events.
Oh, and they offer packages for various needs. Full service is the go-to, since it’s the most comprehensive, followed by planning, designing, e-planning, and destination wedding offerings.
Just brace your wallet. The prices lean premium; $9,500–$13,500 is the usual range of the main bundles, while the virtual consults are $350 an hour.
They’re not the biggest team either. Edmonton has companies with more manpower.
If you’re a “track record over everything” person, that might not matter. Jennifer’s rep is golden, earning her crew repeat clients over the years, with many claiming that the splurge was worthwhile.
Lots of trusted vendors partner with them as well. Rocky Mountain Bride and Laurel’s on Whyte are some of the prime examples.
The Best
Working closely with Jennifer was the best thing we could have done for our wedding. She was so easy and fun to work with and captured my vision so effortlessly. The day of the wedding we didn’t have to worry about a single thing and could enjoy every minute of it. If i ever have another event to plan I would 100% hire JBW again
– Emily Vant Erve, Google Review
Fun to Work With
I will be forever grateful for my wedding planner, Suzanne Dargis, with Jennifer Bergman Weddings. Our wedding would not have been as wonderful as it was without her expertise and help. Suzanne was professional, kind, and so much fun to work with! She was there every step of the way and we had the utmost confidence in her abilities to pull off the wedding and reception of our dreams. I am very type-A and had a very specific vision, but Suzanne was able to execute every detail to perfection. She ensured that both my partner and I had nothing to worry about or check on for our 2-day wedding event. I could not recommend Jennifer Bergman Weddings enough for your wedding needs. The professionalism and attention to detail are unmatched!
– Aakanksha Singh, Google Review
4. A Charmed Affair
Address: 153 Pembina Rd #3b, Sherwood Park
Contact Details: +1 587-714-2204
A Charmed Affair is also in the “character entertainment” field. What makes them pop, though, is package variety.
Those who’ve seen their portfolio know what’s up. The company can manage events such as light-up evening parties, skating sessions, summer camps, parades, spa experiences, fundraisers, dance classes, and even festivals.
But, of course, it’s Princess Party that’s loved the most. The performances are often described as faithful and magical, especially those headlined by Elsa and Ariel.
We’d say the costs are manageable, too. Fees start at $225, and that comes with an hour-long session with the booked character.
So, what’s the caveat? Well, A Charmed Affair’s demand is incredibly high. Even companies like Century Casinos and the Edmonton Valley Zoo hire them.
What’s more, their party room can only handle 20–30 guests and is tied to a party package. It’d be neat if you could book it separately.
Absolutely Fantastic
Our Santa Clause booked through A Charmed Affair was absolutely fantastic! He was warm, charismatic, and incredible at improvising with the kids, making every interaction feel special and full of Christmas magic. The children were engaged, and parents and staff were equally impressed. He was the perfect Santa for our Hot Cocoa with Santa school event!
– Melissa Stoklosa, Google Review
Such an Amazing Job
Our daughter had an amazing birthday party with the good witch and green witch. They knew their stuff, beautiful voices, little quips, even how to move like the characters. Such an amazing job every adult at the party wanted to know about A Charmed Affair. So glad we went with you!
– Shawna Labonte, Google Review
5. Cocktails and Detail
Address: 3512 117 St NW
Contact Details: +1 780-232-6723
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri – 10 am to 5 pm
Led by seasoned and certified pros, Cocktails and Details is a smart pick for soon-to-be-wed lovebirds (which is why they’re also on this list of Edmonton’s best wedding planners).
Jenna, for one, has been in the industry since 2012, with a record that’s not shy of intimate and grand celebrations alike.
I believe it’s her eye for detail that really draws clients, though. Couples we spoke with mentioned that no bit was overlooked, and that their personality was reflected by the design choices.
That brings us to this planner’s other strength: event styling. Cocktails & Details has a knack for jazzing up the aesthetic of a wedding, focusing on visually cohesive themes and decor that align with the couple’s visions.
One aspect that needs some work is the comms. Though rare, concerns about late emails have been raised.
They run a tighter crew as well, which might not fit those seeking a larger outfit.
Amazing
Jenna at Cocktails and Details was truly amazing from start to finish! From the planning stages, to bringing my vision to life, to the impeccable and easy clean up, she is the queen of planning. Very quickly she understood my vision and aligned my style and taste into something I didn’t even realize I wanted. She was dialled all day and ensured everything flowed perfectly. I can’t recommend Jenna and Ashley enough!
– Rene Dechant, Google Review
Would Recommend Her a Hundred Times
We hired Jenna for full service planning of our wedding in June 2023. Jenna made our special date the picture perfect event I’d always dreamed of…none of it would have been remotely possible without her. She was always there for me from start to finish, was incredibly patient with me, and always was able to put my worried mind at ease. She made the planning process effortlessly fun. She is incredibly professional and has your best interests at heart. We love Jenna and would recommend her a hundred times over.
– Mike O’Bertos, Google Review
