Wedding Decor - Behind the costs

What’s Included in Wedding Decor Pricing? tdlr; pricing tiers at the end.

1. Planning & Design (6-12 Months Before the Wedding)

The wedding decor process begins long before the actual event. Professional planning ensures that every detail aligns with the couple's vision and that the setup runs smoothly on the big day.

Initial Planning & Consultations

  • A dedicated event manager conducts an initial consultation to understand the couple's theme, colors, and overall vision.
  • Multiple planning meetings over several months to refine details, finalize decor choices, and coordinate logistics.
  • Budget discussions to allocate costs effectively between decor elements.

Visual & Concept Development

  • Professional mood boards and design concepts created to provide a clear visual representation of the decor.
  • Digital floor plans and proof layouts generated to map out the event space accurately.
  • Venue site visits, if required, to assess space dimensions, access points, and any restrictions that may affect the installation of decor.

Custom Order Management & Vendor Coordination

  • Sourcing specialty items, including unique fabrics, custom props, imported decorations, and bespoke furniture.
  • Confirming rental stock availability and securing necessary decor items well in advance to avoid last-minute shortages.
  • Final logistics planning in the weeks leading up to the wedding to ensure a seamless setup and execution.

2. Logistics & Labour (Extensive Physical Work Involved)

Executing wedding decor requires significant physical effort, from transporting items to setting up intricate designs and dismantling everything post-event.

Loading, Transport & Setup

  • Procurement of Decor: Sourcing, inspecting, and preparing rental items before transport to the venue.
  • Packing and Loading Trucks:
    Requires 4-6 laborers working for 20+ hours to carefully pack and secure all decor items for transport.
  • Heavy items like mandaps, backdrops, tables, and large floral structures require strategic placement in trucks.
  • Transport to Venue:
    Requires large trucks and multiple vans, depending on the size and complexity of the decor setup.
  • Unloading at the Venue:
    4-6 laborers spend 4+ hours unloading all decor elements while ensuring delicate items are handled with care.

On-Site Setup (Time-Consuming & Labour-Intensive)

  • Furniture Placement: Arranging chairs, tables, and lounge seating in the designated floor plan.
  • Chair Covers & Sashes: Each cover is individually placed, tied, and adjusted to achieve a uniform look.
  • Tablecloths & Runners: Pressed, fitted, and aligned perfectly to maintain a polished aesthetic.
  • Centerpieces: Unpacking, assembling, and styling floral or decorative arrangements on each table.
  • Stage & Backdrop Installation: Requires 4-6 hours of labor-intensive drapery, floral attachments, and securing structures.
  • Aisle Decor: Placement of candles, petals, lanterns, floral arrangements, or fabric styling.
  • Mandap/Arch Construction: Customizing the structure, dressing it with fabric, florals, and lighting. Often requires ladder work and multiple team members for a safe setup.
  • LED Lighting & Ambiance Setup:
    • Uplights, chandeliers, fairy lights, and spotlights are carefully placed to enhance the venue’s ambiance.

Pack-Down & Removal (Post-Event, Often Late at Night)

  • Dismantling Decor:
    -Carefully removing all items to prevent damage.
    -Sorting reusable elements from disposable ones.
  • Packing & Loading Back into Trucks:
    -Requires 4-6 laborers working for 4+ hours to repack everything.
  • Transport Back to Storage Facilities:
    -All decor items are transported back for cleaning, maintenance, and storage.
  • Cleaning & Maintenance:-
    All rental items undergo inspection for damage and are cleaned before being stored.
  • Laundry & Fabric Care (Labour-Intensive Process)
  • Sorting & Stain Treatment:
    -Tablecloths, chair covers, and drapery are inspected for stains from wine, food, and candle wax.
  • Industrial Washing:
    -Bulk washing using commercial-grade machines due to high fabric volume.
  • Ironing & Steaming:
    -Every fabric item is pressed or steamed to remove creases.
  • Folding & Storage:
    -Items are carefully folded and stored in dust-free containers to maintain their condition.

3. Floral Design & Arrangement (Weeks of Preparation & Skilled Labor Required)

Floral design is one of the most time-intensive aspects of wedding decor, requiring meticulous planning and handling.

  • Consultation with a Florist: Deciding between fresh vs. artificial flowers and finalizing floral arrangements.
  • Sourcing Fresh or Silk Flowers:
    - Many flowers need to be ordered weeks in advance to ensure availability
    - Seasonal flowers can be expensive, requiring special importation in some cases.
  • Prepping Floral Arrangements:
    - 15-20+ hours of florist labor spent arranging bouquets, centerpieces, and floral installations before the wedding.
  • On-Site Floral Installation:
    - Includes hanging arrangements, floral centerpieces, and intricate designs that require skilled work.
  • Post-Event Floral Management:
  • Fresh flowers are removed and responsibly disposed of or composted.
  • Artificial flowers are cleaned, fluffed, and stored for future use.

4. Decor Rentals & Customization (Each Item Requires Handling, Storage, & Setup)

Each decor piece undergoes handling, setup, and post-event maintenance:

  • Chair Covers & Sashes: Washed, pressed, individually placed, and tied.
  • Table Covers & Runners: Laundered, ironed, and carefully fitted on each table.
  • Centerpieces: Assembled, transported, and adjusted to match table layouts.
  • Stage & Backdrop Setup: Requires heavy lifting and securing large panels or drapes.
  • Aisle Decor: Each item, such as lanterns, vases, or floral elements, is placed with precision.
  • Mandap/Wedding Arch: Custom-built, decorated, and secured for safety.
  • Ceiling Drapery & Hanging Decor: Requires high ladders and sometimes scaffolding.
  • Lighting & Ambiance Setup: LED spotlights, chandeliers, and uplighting are strategically positioned.

Post-Event Maintenance & Restoration

  • Glassware & Decorative Items: Hand-washed and polished.
  • Candle Wax Removal: Dripped wax is scraped off candle holders, furniture, and candelabras.
  • Mirrors & Acrylic Signs: Smudges and fingerprints are cleaned, and scratches are buffed.
  • Metal Decor (Lanterns, Gold & Silver-Plated Items): Dust and soot are removed, and tarnish is polished away.
  • Checking for Damages: Broken vases, bent frames, or scuffed decor are set aside for repairs.
  • Structural Repairs: Backdrops, arches, and staging elements are reinforced.
  • Repainting & Touch-Ups: Scratched or scuffed decor pieces are refinished as needed.

5. Staffing & Execution (A Team of Skilled Professionals Working for Months on One Event)

Key Team Members & Responsibilities:

  • Event Manager & Coordinators: Oversee planning, execution, and troubleshooting.
  • Decor Specialists: Handle delicate setups like draping, lighting, and styling.
  • General Laborers: Move, lift, load, and pack all decor items.
  • On-Site Coordinators: Ensure alignment with the agreed-upon plan.
  • Post-Event Cleanup Crew: Work late into the night to restore the venue.

Time Commitment & Execution:

  • Total estimated hours per event: 100+ hours across multiple specialists.

This detailed breakdown highlights why wedding decor pricing extends beyond just flowers and chairs— it encompasses expertise, logistics, and labour-intensive execution to create a stunning and seamless event.

Finally:

Our decor packages can be summarised into five tiers, taking all of the above into consideration.

Bronze: $3,800 to $5,000 
Silver: $5,000 to $7,000
Gold: $7,000 to $10,000
Premium: $10,000 to $15,000
Platinum: $15,000

Every wedding is different. Being transparent with your investment level will really help us to help you achieve your wedding vision within your allocated budget.

We welcome all couples, for small weddings or big, elopements or grand, and look forward to hearing from you.

To inquire and set up a consultation, please email us at exoticdesigner@outlook.com