The short answer
Event decorating typically runs $1,500–$3,500 per event, with a typical budget around $2,500. Simple styling sits at the bottom; a full transformation with rentals and installations sits at the top. The market spread:
| Tier | Range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Light styling | $800–$1,500 | Table styling, simple accents, you provide most items. |
| Standard decorating | $1,500–$3,000 | Design concept, rentals coordination, setup and teardown. |
| Full-service design | $3,000–$5,000 | Cohesive theme, draping, lighting, larger installations. |
| Premium / transformation | $5,000–$7,000+ | Custom builds, elaborate rentals, full venue makeover. |
What actually moves the price
Design vs. rentals. A decorator’s fee is their design and labor, but much of a decor budget is the physical stuff — linens, furniture, backdrops, lighting, draping — which is rented separately. A low design fee can sit on top of a large rental bill, so ask for the all-in number, not just the labor.
Scale of the setup. Styling existing tables is quick. Draping a ceiling, building an entrance moment, or transforming a blank venue takes crew, time, and mechanics. Labor and install hours drive much of the cost at the top tiers.
Overlap with other vendors. Decor, florals, and full planning blur together. If flowers are central, that’s florist work; if you need someone running the whole event, that’s an event planner. Hiring the right specialist for each avoids paying twice for overlapping scope.
How this guide is priced
Figures are compiled from public rate listings and market data — see the source below and our data methodology. As Mindhyv grows, these ranges will reflect real, anonymized booking data from the marketplace.
Before you hire
Read the event decorator hiring guide for questions that separate design fees from rental costs, and price the floral side on its own since it often sits with a different vendor. Itemize the rental list in the project brief builder so quotes match piece for piece.