This is a fair question to ask any planner, and you deserve a straight answer. Yes — across the industry, commissions and markups exist, and there are broadly three models, so the thing to do is simply ask which one you are being offered.
Commission model. The planner's fee looks low, but they quietly earn a percentage back from vendors they book. The risk is obvious: recommendations can follow the commission, not your interest.
Markup model. Vendor costs are marked up before they reach you, so the true rate is hidden inside a bundled price.
Transparent-fee model. You pay a clear planning and design fee, and vendor costs pass through at what they actually charge.
How to protect yourself. Ask directly: "Do you take vendor commissions, and can I see actual vendor quotes?" A planner who welcomes that question is usually safe.
Our own model is the transparent one, and our design and décor are produced in-house rather than sub-contracted, which removes a whole layer where markup normally hides. You are always welcome to ask us exactly how a number is built — we would rather show you than have you wonder.
