Plan decoration budgets with itemized costs and vendor quotes. Part of the DevTools Surf developer suite. Browse more tools in the Event Planning collection.
Use Cases
Plan and track decoration spending for a wedding or corporate event
Compare cost of renting versus purchasing decoration items
Generate itemized decoration quotes for vendor comparison
Allocate decoration budget across venue zones (ceremony, reception, entrance)
Tips
Enter the venue square footage first — the decoration density calculator uses this to estimate quantities for floral, lighting, and table settings
Use the 'DIY vs vendor' toggle on each item line to see how much you save by sourcing materials vs hiring a full-service decorator
Set a contingency of 10-15% of total budget for last-minute additions and price increases — decorations are consistently under-budgeted
Fun Facts
The global events and weddings industry was valued at $1.5 trillion in 2022. In the US, the average wedding spend on decorations and flowers is approximately $2,800, representing about 8% of total wedding budget.
Flower prices spike 15-30% for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and major wedding seasons (May-October). The global cut flower trade is dominated by the Netherlands, which distributes 70% of the world's commercially grown flowers through the FloraHolland auction.
LED lighting has reduced event lighting costs by 60-70% over the past decade compared to incandescent alternatives. String light rentals, now a standard decoration item, became widely available after LED technology made outdoor strand lighting energy and heat-safe for long events.
FAQ
What percentage of an event budget should go to decorations?
Weddings: 8-12% of total budget. Corporate events: 5-10%. Gala dinners: 15-20% (table centerpieces and stage design dominate). These are norms — priorities vary widely by event type and host preferences.
When should I book event decorators?
For weddings: 12-18 months ahead during peak seasons. For corporate events: 3-6 months minimum. Peak seasons (spring, holiday) book up fastest. DIY decorations need sourcing time too — allow 2-3 months for custom or imported items.
Are decoration rentals or purchases more cost-effective?
Rentals are cheaper for one-time events (you pay ~20-30% of retail per event). Purchases make sense if reusing across multiple events. For high-volume event planners, owning popular items (linens, lighting) is more economical beyond 3-5 uses.
