What is the average cost of wedding decorations?
What is the average cost of wedding decorations?
$1,000 – $4,000 average cost (small to moderate)
$7,000 – $20,000+ average cost (large or elaborate)
Average cost of wedding decorations
The average decoration cost for a wedding is $1,000 to $4,000 for a typical wedding size or $7,000 to $20,000+ for large or elaborate venues. Décor costs cover everything from flowers and lighting to linens and specialized signage. Decorating for a wedding can be as simple or extravagant as you wish, and the associated costs reflect that flexibility.
| Wedding scale | Average cost | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Small to moderate | $1,000 – $4,000 | Basic florals; simple centerpieces; minimal lighting; standard linens |
| Large or elaborate | $7,000 – $20,000+ | Lush florals; custom installations; specialty lighting; luxury rentals |
Small to moderate wedding
A small to moderate décor budget of $1,000 to $4,000 covers core necessities, such as elegant bouquets, simple centerpieces, and modest table linens. Minimal lighting or basic rental décor keeps the ambiance sweet and the cost down. This approach is well-suited for intimate gatherings or couples prioritizing essentials over statement pieces.
Large or elaborate wedding
Large or elaborate décor, running $7,000 to $20,000 or more, transforms a venue. Expect abundant florals, designer centerpieces, custom backdrops, dramatic lighting, and luxury linen rentals at this price point. This tier supports lush archways, hanging installations, and full-service planners to execute spectacular, personalized displays for a high-impact, memorable celebration.
Average cost of décor for a wedding by setting
Your venue type impacts your décor budget dramatically. Costs shift depending on whether you’re decorating an indoor or outdoor ceremony or reception, with some couples mixing and matching styles. The table below shows the average cost for décor for indoor and outdoor venues:
| Event type | Ceremony décor cost | Reception décor cost |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor | $500 – $5,000 | $1,500 – $10,000 |
| Outdoor | $200 – $3,000 | $1,000 – $15,000 |
The wedding venue cost may or may not include decorations, so it's important to confirm what's included when comparing venues and costs.
Indoor
Indoor ceremony decoration costs often start at $500 for small arrangements and may reach $5,000 if you want elaborate arches, aisle runners, candles, and florals to transform a plain space.
Indoor reception decorations range from $1,500 for minimal décor in attractive venues to $10,000 for lush florals, advanced lighting, rented lounge furniture, and designer linens.
Outdoor
Outdoor ceremony decorations start at $200 if you use existing scenery with simple arches or chairs. Upgrades like floral installations, specialty seating, or elaborate setups climb to $3,000.
Outdoor reception decorations start at $1,000 with straightforward décor and string lights but can reach $15,000 with tent rentals, dance floors, specialty lighting, extraordinary florals, and extra logistics. Renting a wedding tent costs $800 to $3,000 on average.
Wedding decoration cost factors
Individual items play a major role in both look and total costs. Wedding flowers alone cost $500 to $3,500. Aisle décor, including floral markers, lanterns, ribbons, or petals, adds to the cost. The table below shows common decorations and the average costs for each.
| Decor item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Bridal bouquet | $100 – $350 |
| Bridesmaids’ bouquets | $50 – $110 each |
| Boutonnieres | $10 – $30 each |
| Centerpieces | $50 – $600 each |
| Ceremony flowers | $130 – $1,800 |
| String / fairy lights | $200 – $800+ |
| Backdrop / arch | $200 – $800+ |
| Aisle decor | $50 – $200+ |
| Table linens | $15 – $40 per table |
| Place settings | $5 – $20 per guest |
| Candle decor | $100 – $500 |
Many elements impact your total décor cost:
Guest count: More guests require more tables, centerpieces, and rentals, increasing costs.
Venue features: A distinctive venue needs less décor. Blank or outdoor spaces may require more investment.
Location: Metropolitan or high-demand destinations have higher labor and rental costs.
Season and flowers: In-season blooms are more affordable than rare or out-of-season varieties.
DIY vs. professional: DIY reduces expenses but adds significant time, stress, and effort. Pros bring experience and efficiency.
Rentals and labor: Renting large décor or specialty lighting and hiring setup and breakdown crews are costly.
Custom elements: Personal touches, like monogrammed signage or theme installations, add to the overall budget.
Wedding decorator pricing
You may want to hire a decorator for help with concept, setup, and teardown. Most professional wedding decorators charge $60 to $100 per hour, not including the cost of the décor itself. Full-service packages cost $2,000 to $15,000+, covering design, setup, vendor coordination, and décor.
Discuss with your decorator whether labor, delivery, breakdown, and design mock-ups are included or extra.
How to save on wedding decorations
Decorating your wedding beautifully doesn’t mean overspending. You can achieve an elegant look while managing costs by following a few practical strategies and savvy choices.
Repurpose ceremony décor: Move floral arrangements, arches, or aisle markers from the ceremony to the reception area to get more value from every piece.
Choose in-season and local flowers: Select blooms that are abundant and grown nearby to reduce floral costs while maintaining a lush effect.
DIY where possible: Create your own centerpieces, table numbers, or candle arrangements to personalize your décor and cut expenses.
Rent instead of buy: Opt to rent large items like table linens, backdrops, arches, or specialty lighting, saving on purchase and storage costs.
Simplify your palette: Use fewer types of flowers or focus on greenery to create full arrangements without the higher costs of premium blooms.
Shop secondhand: Hunt for gently used decorations through marketplaces, wedding resale groups, or local social media pages for deals.
Limit guest tables: Keep your guest count and table number lower, which reduces the number of centerpieces, linens, and place settings needed.
Use venue features: Highlight the beauty of your chosen venue so you need fewer added elements.
Borrow from loved ones: Ask friends or recent newlyweds if you can borrow décor, vases, or lighting to stretch your budget.
Wedding decoration FAQs
What decorations do you need for a wedding?
Most couples decorate their ceremony space (arch, aisle, signage), reception tables (centerpieces, linens), and add elements like lighting, candles, and signage. Optional extras include entryway décor, cake table, photo booth, and lounge areas.
Who decorates the wedding venue?
Professional decorators, florists, planners, or your own friends and family may handle decoration. Many couples combine professional and DIY approaches to fit their budget.
Where do I buy wedding decorations?
Couples can buy wedding decorations online, at local party or craft stores, or from specialized wedding rental companies. Many people also rent major décor or buy pre-owned pieces from online marketplaces and wedding groups.
What to look for in a wedding decorator
Shop around for accurate pricing from wedding decorators near you using these tips:
Request detailed, itemized quotes covering design, setup, labor, rental, and breakdown.
Share your budget, guest count, and vision for realistic proposals.
Read customer reviews on Fash and Google.
Confirm whether they bundle ceremony and reception décor.
Ask if additional setup or teardown fees or rush charges apply.
Questions to ask wedding decorators
Use these questions before signing with any decorator or florist:
Do you charge hourly rates or a package fee?
Which décor or rentals are included in the venue fee, if any?
Will this match with my theme and color scheme?
Does the quote include setup, breakdown, and delivery?
Can you work with my budget and offer lower-cost alternatives?
Will I see mock-ups of centerpieces or other elements before the event?
What are your cancellation and refund policies?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.