Wedding Decorator Rates: What You Really Pay for Wedding Decoration Services
When you hire a wedding decorator, a professional who designs and sets up the visual elements of your wedding day. Also known as an event decorator, it’s not just about flowers and table linens—it’s about creating a mood, guiding guest flow, and making your vision feel real. Many couples assume decorator rates are a flat fee, but the truth is more layered. What you pay depends on the scope, location, season, and whether you’re hiring someone for full design or just setup and teardown.
Most wedding decorators charge either by the hour, by the day, or as a percentage of your total decor budget. In the UK, you’re looking at £50 to £150 per hour for basic setup, or £1,500 to £5,000 for a full-service package that includes design consultation, rentals, lighting, signage, and on-site coordination. High-end designers in London or for destination weddings can go much higher. But here’s the catch: wedding decoration costs, the total price tag for all visual elements like centerpieces, arches, draping, and lighting often get mixed up with decorator fees. The decorator’s rate doesn’t include the actual items—they charge for their time and expertise to source, arrange, and install them. So if your floral arch costs £800, that’s separate from the £1,200 the decorator charges to build it.
Some decorators bundle rentals into their fee, others don’t. That’s why it’s crucial to ask: What’s included? A good decorator will give you a line-item breakdown. You might pay extra for delivery, setup time before the ceremony, tear-down after the reception, or overtime if the party runs late. And don’t forget hidden costs: power for string lights, scaffolding for ceiling installations, or storage fees for items delivered early. A wedding planner, a professional who manages your entire wedding timeline and vendor coordination often works alongside the decorator, but they’re not the same. A planner handles contracts, timelines, and guest logistics. A decorator handles the look. Sometimes one person does both—but you’ll pay more for that combo.
DIY weddings sound cheaper, but they come with their own hidden rates: your time, your stress, and the cost of mistakes. One bride spent £700 on fake greenery that wilted in the sun. Another rented chairs that arrived broken. A pro decorator knows which vendors deliver on time, which fabrics hold up in heat, and how to fix a fallen arch in five minutes without anyone noticing. That’s worth something.
Real couples in the UK are shifting toward smart, targeted decoration. Instead of covering every surface, they focus on key areas: the ceremony backdrop, the head table, the dance floor, and the entrance. That cuts costs without cutting impact. You don’t need 50 centerpieces—three stunning ones with lighting behind them will do more. And if you’re booking a venue with built-in decor (like a historic barn or glass conservatory), you might only need a decorator for lighting and signage. That can bring your rate down to under £1,000.
What you’ll find below are real stories and breakdowns from couples who’ve been there—what they spent, what they regretted, and what actually made their day look like a dream without blowing their budget. No fluff. Just clear, honest advice on how to get the most from your wedding decorator rates—and avoid the traps most first-timers fall into.
