PRICING: Décor prices and pricing structures vary greatly from designer to designer; most are flexible and work with clients to determine a look that works with an event's budget. Some simply charge a fee equal to a percentage of the total cost of the whole décor scheme, which includes the prices of rentals, lighting and flowers. (They may add this as a line on the bill, or just add a markup to the prices of each element.) Others charge a designated design fee in addition to the price of materials used; minimum fees range from $2,500 to $15,000. (One designer told us he only charges a design fee when a planner takes his concept and gives it to a less-expensive company to execute.)
Decor prices depend on a variety of factors, such as the amount of flowers, linens, props or furniture; the complexity of technical elements such as lighting design or video projections; the degree of customization and branding required; and simply the amount of space to design. (Will that be both the cocktail area and the ballroom, or just centerpieces on the dinner tables?)
For simple dinner décor such as floral centerpieces, prices range from $60 to $150 for a single-type floral piece to $1,000 or more for creations with multiple flowers that require importing and customized containers. But most designers cite an average of $150 to $300 per centerpiece for table décor (linen rentals will be extra).
For events that require a designer to create a complete environment—a product launch with branded bars, lounges with furniture, demo areas and lighting, for example—prices go up to $100,000 or more.
Some designers estimate the amount of hours or days needed to complete the project and will charge hour or day rates. Hourly rates also apply for on-site set-up: Rates range between $25 an hour for a floral designer to a $700 day rate for the creative director.
Designers we spoke with also have different pricing structures for corporate and nonprofit clients; some designers will do nonprofit work at or near cost if they have a relationship with the organization, its sponsor or committee members.
TIPPING: Tipping floral or event designers is rare, but appreciated. For those who have been tipped—who are few and far between from what we've heard—amounts range from $20 for a floral assistant to $100 for a floral designer. One designer gripes: "At the risk of whining, [tipping] is unbelievably uncommon, which blows my mind. A client will handsomely tip a waiter who doesn't know him or her, doesn't care to know them and has only served them for maybe two hours—when the events team has spent months with them, and right before the event, basically dedicated their life to the client. In most cases the client rarely stops to appreciate all the behind-the-scenes workers who were probably awake about four hours before the client's alarm even went off. A tip is most appropriate, not for me, but for my production team." Noted.
HOW TO CUT COSTS: Choose flowers that are in season, and if your event requires lots of flowers, avoid scheduling it right before flower-heavy holidays like Mother's Day or Valentine's Day that will hike up the cost of flowers considerably. Your designer will be able to tell you what varieties can be found locally and which need to be imported. Blooming roses—not buds—can maximize a centerpiece's look with fewer flowers. "If you let roses open enough, they look great and cover up more space," says Bill Kocis of Bill Kocis Important Flowers. Also, pieces with foam bases allow the designer to cover more space with fewer flowers—a less costly alternative to more densely packed hand-tied arrangements.
Decor prices depend on a variety of factors, such as the amount of flowers, linens, props or furniture; the complexity of technical elements such as lighting design or video projections; the degree of customization and branding required; and simply the amount of space to design. (Will that be both the cocktail area and the ballroom, or just centerpieces on the dinner tables?)
For simple dinner décor such as floral centerpieces, prices range from $60 to $150 for a single-type floral piece to $1,000 or more for creations with multiple flowers that require importing and customized containers. But most designers cite an average of $150 to $300 per centerpiece for table décor (linen rentals will be extra).
For events that require a designer to create a complete environment—a product launch with branded bars, lounges with furniture, demo areas and lighting, for example—prices go up to $100,000 or more.
Some designers estimate the amount of hours or days needed to complete the project and will charge hour or day rates. Hourly rates also apply for on-site set-up: Rates range between $25 an hour for a floral designer to a $700 day rate for the creative director.
Designers we spoke with also have different pricing structures for corporate and nonprofit clients; some designers will do nonprofit work at or near cost if they have a relationship with the organization, its sponsor or committee members.
TIPPING: Tipping floral or event designers is rare, but appreciated. For those who have been tipped—who are few and far between from what we've heard—amounts range from $20 for a floral assistant to $100 for a floral designer. One designer gripes: "At the risk of whining, [tipping] is unbelievably uncommon, which blows my mind. A client will handsomely tip a waiter who doesn't know him or her, doesn't care to know them and has only served them for maybe two hours—when the events team has spent months with them, and right before the event, basically dedicated their life to the client. In most cases the client rarely stops to appreciate all the behind-the-scenes workers who were probably awake about four hours before the client's alarm even went off. A tip is most appropriate, not for me, but for my production team." Noted.
HOW TO CUT COSTS: Choose flowers that are in season, and if your event requires lots of flowers, avoid scheduling it right before flower-heavy holidays like Mother's Day or Valentine's Day that will hike up the cost of flowers considerably. Your designer will be able to tell you what varieties can be found locally and which need to be imported. Blooming roses—not buds—can maximize a centerpiece's look with fewer flowers. "If you let roses open enough, they look great and cover up more space," says Bill Kocis of Bill Kocis Important Flowers. Also, pieces with foam bases allow the designer to cover more space with fewer flowers—a less costly alternative to more densely packed hand-tied arrangements.
