If you’ve been stressing about event decor, here is the answer to your prayers. We’ve looked at what makes for amazing event decor and included it all in this guide.

We’ve also found simple decoration ideas for events ranging from weddings to conferences, as well as tips for making your event budget stretch.

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What exactly is event decor?

Event decoration is all the little things that make up the environment your event takes place in. Decor sets the mood and helps create the right atmosphere for your guests.

But decor is what you make it.

If you’re hosting an event at a quirky or prestigious venue that already has a distinguished look, you may not need to decorate it any further.

Conversely, you can turn a completely empty and bland room into a whole new world with the right kind of event decoration.

It’ll often be a mix of the two.

You’ll typically select a suitable venue and then make appropriate alterations to go with the theme of your event. Event decoration is a collaboration between your team, the venue management, and possibly an event decorator.

The right decor can make all the difference.

Together, you’ll decide on the appropriate…

• Banners
• Centrepieces
• Colours
• Displays
• Fabrics
• Flowers
• Lights
• Tableware

… but bear in mind that the kind of decor you’ll need very much depends on the type of event you organise.

Which types of events need decor?

Cooking classes, yoga sessions, and pub crawls are examples of events that usually have little to no event decoration. Unless they have a specific theme that calls for decor, you’ll be fine with just the venue itself.

Dinners, parties, conferences, fundraisers, and weddings—on the other hand—are usually very reliant on having the appropriate decor. Here, the visuals play an important part in how the attendees will experience the event as a whole.

Holiday-specific events, such as Christmas, Halloween, and Valentine’s Day will most certainly require some form of event decor. It’ll somehow have to tie in with the theme of those specific holidays.

Think about what your attendees expect from your event. Write your ideas down on a list and discuss them with your team, the venue, and any external decorators you hire.

Tip: Use an event decor checklist to make sure you cover all bases.

Should you rent, buy, or outsource event decoration?

Once you know whether you need event decor, what kind, and how much, it’s time to look at ways to acquire it.

You have three options available: rent it, buy it, or outsource it entirely.

There are pros and cons to each of these options, which is why many event planners opt for a mix of them. Let’s have a look at what each of them involves.

1. Rent your event decor

Event decor hire can often be cheaper than buying it. That’s especially true if you’re organising a one-off event and don’t need the decor for future use.

The downside of renting event decor is that you lose out on a potential revenue stream if you’re planning an event for a client.

Tip: Find a local event decor rental service that will offer you a good price. 

2. Buy your event decor

There’s usually no point in renting cheap decor, such as garlands. It can also make sense to purchase more expensive decorations if you plan on using them for more than one event.

The downside of buying event decor is that you’re responsible for its storage, maintenance, and replacement, which can quickly become expensive.

Tip: There are many wholesale event decor suppliers that have decorations for sale.

3. Outsourcing event decor

You can also completely outsource the event decoration to a third-party company. There are many great options available, and you can even build long-term partnerships.

It might be necessary to outsource the time-consuming parts.

The downside of outsourcing event decor is the event decorator cost. You have to pay for both labour and decor rental. It’s the most expensive option, so factor in your time and money.

Tip: Google around to find an event decorator that meets your requirements.

How to decorate your event on a budget

If you’ve opted to buy the event decor, or even make it yourself, you might wonder how to make your event budget stretch. Let’s dive into a few DIY event decoration ideas you can use.

1. Use cheap fabrics

You can use fabrics as event ceiling decor as well as cover cheap tables and chairs with them. It can make all the difference and requires minimal effort and investment.

2. Use design templates

Use a website like Canva to find design templates for your signage, invites, itineraries, menus, and name cards. It’ll save you money on hiring a graphic designer.

3. Arrange your own flowers

Professional floral arrangements aren’t cheap, so here’s another way to save some money. Watch a few YouTube tutorials on how to arrange flowers for your event.

4. Use mood lighting

The lights in the event venue can set the mood, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find cheap mood lighting online or just stick to the old classic…candles.

5. Use balloons, garlands, and confetti

Event room decoration doesn’t get much cheaper than a few event balloon decorations, paper garlands thrown across the venue, and confetti strewn across the tables and floors.

Tips for decorating your event

Now that you understand what kind of event decor you need, where to get it, and some ways to stretch your budget, we’ll wrap this guide up with tips for event decoration in general.

1. Stick to the theme

Always keep the theme of your event in mind when evaluating whether or not to include specific pieces of event decor. You don’t want any of it to stick out like a sore thumb.

2. Work with the venue

Make sure your decor complements the venue’s aesthetics. Many venues regularly host events, so negotiate with them to see if they can include some of their in-house decor in the price.

The venue may already have decor you can hire.

3. Incorporate the furniture

It’s easy to overlook all the props you already have, such as tables and chairs, bars, and stages. Shape and style them according to your theme so they blend in with the surroundings.

4. Think about placement

Elaborate centrepieces won’t do much good if they’re not in a central position. Make sure that all the elements you want to draw people’s attention to are positioned accordingly.

5. Focus the lighting

Spotlights are a great way to highlight a particular piece of decor or as an intangible event wall decoration. You can also use them to draw attention away from other parts of the venue.

Billetto is a ticketing platform that helps you manage, promote, and host events. Set up an event page and start selling tickets in 5 minutes.
CREATE YOUR EVENT >>

Let’s make it fabulous

You should be an event decor expert by now, so go forth and make your next event an unforgettable experience. Unforgettable, because pictures of your event decor will be all over Instagram and Pinterest.