When planning a wedding, one of the biggest factors in creating a visually stunning and cohesive event is wedding design. From flowers to rentals to stationery, the details come together to create a breathtaking atmosphere. But how much should you budget for these design elements?
To help you navigate wedding design costs, we’ve broken it down into three budget levels that we see most often:
$50 per guest – A simple and stylish wedding with key elements
$100 per guest – A well-designed and personalized wedding with a balanced mix of rentals, florals, and stationery
$150+ per guest – A luxury-level wedding with full customization and high-end details
If you want all the essential design elements and the ability to personalize things, $100 per guest is a great starting point. Below, we’ll dive into what you can expect at each level, along with an in-depth breakdown of all the elements that go into wedding design.
The Key Elements of Wedding Design
1. Rentals
Rentals are a foundational part of wedding design. This includes everything from tables and chairs to specialty decor.
✔ Ceremony & Reception Seating – Chairs for guests at the ceremony and dining chairs for the reception
✔ Linens & Tables – Tablecloths, runners, napkins, and dining tables
✔ Candles & Holders – Taper candles, votives, and pillar candles for romantic lighting
✔ Furniture – Lounge seating, sweetheart table chairs, cocktail tables, bars
✔ Dance Floor – A wooden, white, or custom dance floor
✔ Decor Accents – Card boxes, cake knife set, cake stand, charger plates, goblets, cutlery, and glassware
2. Florals
Flowers bring warmth and elegance to any wedding. Your floral budget should factor in:
✔ Ceremony Florals – Arch flowers, aisle arrangements, petals
✔ Reception Flowers – Centerpieces, head table arrangements, bar flowers, and cake flowers
✔ Signage Florals – Welcome sign, seating chart, cocktail table florals
✔ Lounge & Misc. Florals – Lounge area, gift table, guest book table, etc.
✔ Personal Florals– Bouquets & boutonnieres
3. Stationery & Signage
Stationery plays a huge role in branding your wedding day with a cohesive look. This includes:
✔ Welcome Sign
✔ Seating Chart
✔ Menus & Name Cards
✔ Table Numbers
✔ QR Codes for Bar Menus or Photo Galleries
✔ Directional Signage (Restrooms, Guest Book, Favors, etc.)
✔ Bar Signs & Cocktail Menus
4. Other Design Elements
These are often overlooked but add to the full guest experience:
✔ Cake & Dessert Table Styling – Cake stands, decorative accents, cake florals
✔ Guest Favors – Personalized gifts, take-home treats
✔ Kids Area – Entertainment for younger guests
✔ Welcome Bags – Custom gifts for guests staying overnight
Wedding Design Budgets: What You Get at Each Level
💰 $50 Per Person – Simple & Stylish
At this budget level, the design is minimal but impactful, focusing on essential decor elements that create a polished event.
Rentals: Basic ceremony chairs, standard linens, simple centerpieces, candles
Florals: Bouquets and boutonnieres, a small floral arch (likely faux arch) or aisle petals, simple bud vase centerpieces
Stationery: Welcome sign, printed menus, and table numbers
Other: Standard cake table setup, minimal favors
📸 This is perfect for couples who want a clean and elegant look while keeping costs manageable.
Planning & Design @thedayofdiva Venue @calgarymarriott Photographer @revelphotography.ca Florals @amborellafloral Stationary @loveskydesign.weddings Cake @chartieryyc Rentals @chairflair @flowerwallsyyc
💰💰 $100 Per Person – Balanced & Personalized
This is the sweet spot for wedding design—it allows you to incorporate more personal touches, upgraded rentals, and full floral arrangements.
Rentals: Upgraded chairs, specialty linens, charger plates, candles, a dance floor
Florals: Larger ceremony florals, centerpiece arrangements, flowers on the welcome sign and bar
Stationery: Custom signage, seating chart, name cards, and cocktail menu
Other: A stylish cake setup, wedding favors, and possibly small lounge setup
Each design we do is customize and based on our couples priorities, so this is just a sample.
📸 With this budget, you get a well-rounded design that feels personal and thoughtfully curated.
Planning & Design @thedayofdiva Venue @siroccogolfclub Photographer @sevillaweddings Florals @hawthornplains Stationary @loveskydesign.weddings Cake @omygoodiesyyc Rentals @flowerwallsyyc @modernrentals.ca @specialeventrentals_calgary
💰💰💰 $150+ Per Person – High-End & Fully Custom
At this level, every detail is intentional, cohesive, and luxury-driven. This is where we see custom designs, premium flowers, and statement pieces.
Rentals: High-end chairs, specialty tables, lounge furniture, light up or custom dance floor
Florals: Full floral installations (ceiling florals, floral walls), luxury centerpieces
Stationery: Fully custom stationery suite, acrylic or neon signage, interactive displays
Other: A fully styled cake table, elevated guest favors, a beautifully designed kids area
📸 This budget is for couples who want a truly breathtaking wedding with an immersive experience for their guests.
Planning & Design @thedayofdiva Venue @malcolmhotelcanmore Photographer @revelphotography.ca Florals @flowersbyjanie Stationary @hollylovespaper Cakes & Favors @yvonnesdelightfulcakes Rentals @modernrentals.ca @boxwoodeventsyyc
Final Thoughts
No matter your budget, thoughtful design choices can make any wedding beautiful. If you want to include all the key elements while personalizing things, $100 per person is a great starting point.
Each level of wedding design has its own charm, and we love helping couples create a wedding that reflects their style and priorities.
Unsure where to get started with your design, or your budget? Click the link below to book a consult!
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