Thoughtful planning for celebrations shaped by your family

Vendor planning guide

How to Choose a Wedding Decorator

Prepare a clear brief, compare like-for-like proposals and record the service, people, price and protections before booking.

9 min readEducational guideNo vendor endorsements

What this vendor does

Designs, sources, installs and removes ceremony, stage, entrance, lighting and guest-area décor.

Typical planning timeline

ResearchWrite one event brief and review complete examples of comparable work.
ShortlistShare identical dates, locations, hours, quantities and priorities.
ContractResolve scope, team, price, payments, changes and cancellation in writing.
Final handoverConfirm access, contacts, schedule, balances and contingency plan.

Questions to ask before booking

  • What exact items and quantities are included?
  • Which reference elements are guaranteed versus inspirational?
  • What substitutions need approval?
  • Who handles rigging, power, fire and venue permissions?
  • When will installation and removal occur?

Budget considerations

Require quantities and materials for structures, flowers, furniture, lighting, transport, labour, rigging, power, taxes and dismantling.

Contract checklist

  • Legal or trading name and current contact details
  • Exact events, locations, dates and service hours
  • Named lead, staffing and subcontracting terms
  • Itemised deliverables, quantities and exclusions
  • Fees, taxes, deposits, payment dates and receipts
  • Overtime, travel, meals, power and access requirements
  • Postponement, cancellation, substitution and refund terms
  • Delivery, damage, liability and usage rights where relevant

Warning signs

  • A mood board without itemised scope
  • No structural or electrical responsibility
  • Large late-stage cash requests

Comparison checklist

Planning comparison details
ApproachPlanning consideration
Fresh flowersNatural detail; seasonal price and wastage
Artificial flowersReusable consistency; inspect quality
MinimalFewer focal elements and cleaner logistics
LuxuryMore labour and production; requires precise scope

Practical tips

  • Ask for complete work or service examples comparable to your scale.
  • Give cultural and ceremony notes directly; do not expect the vendor to define family traditions.
  • Keep one written decision log and confirm price-changing requests.
  • Assign one event-day contact who is not the couple.

Printable booking check

Before paying a deposit

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Helpful answers

Frequently asked questions

When should we book a wedding decorator?

A useful planning target is 6–10 months before, but availability depends on location, season, scale and complexity. Compare written scopes before paying.

How many quotations should we compare?

Compare enough written proposals to understand scope and market differences. Use the same event details and inclusions so the comparison is meaningful.

What should be written into the contract?

Record dates, locations, hours, named services, quantities, staffing, fees, taxes, payment dates, overtime, cancellation, postponement, substitutions and delivery obligations.

Is this a vendor recommendation?

No. ShaadiGuide does not list, rank or endorse businesses. This page is educational preparation for your own checks and decisions.