Decoration budget planning mein couples aksar ek galti karte hain — ek single quote decorator ko dete hain aur phir compare nahi karte. Is guide mein category-wise breakdown hai taaki aap khud verify kar sako kya fair price hai.
💡 Decor Budget Reality Check: Decorator ka quote hamesha breakdown mein lo — lump sum "complete package" mein scope creep aur overcharging common hai.
Category-by-Category 2026 Cost Breakdown
Floral Decoration
Indian market flowers (marigold, champa, mogra, tuberose): ₹800-2,000 per kg wholesale. A standard wedding mandap using 15-20 kg flowers: ₹15,000-40,000 (flowers only). Decorator markup: 3-5x on flowers. Reality: ₹1 lakh "floral decor" package may include only ₹20,000 worth of flowers + ₹30,000 labor + ₹50,000 markup.
Fabric/Draping
Fabric draping creates premium look at lower cost than flowers. Georgette, chiffon, velvet draping for a 200 sq ft stage: ₹20,000-60,000. This is excellent value — looks rich, less perishable, can be repurposed.
Lighting
Fairy lights (LED string): ₹15,000-35,000 for full venue coverage. Pendant lights: ₹1,000-3,000 per piece. Spotlights for stage: ₹500-1,500 per piece. Full venue lighting package: ₹25,000-1.5 lakh depending on scale.
Entrance Gate
Floral entrance arch: ₹12,000-35,000. LED arch: ₹20,000-60,000. Premium balloon/fabric arch: ₹8,000-20,000. Pro tip: entrance gate investment pays back in photos — it's the most photographed spot.
DIY Elements That Actually Work
Table numbers, menus, favor boxes — make them yourself or order online from Amazon/Meesho. Cost: ₹20-80 per item vs ₹150-400 from decorator. Saving on 30 tables: ₹3,000-10,000 easily. Candles, tea lights, small vases — buy wholesale from Sadar Bazaar (Delhi) or Crawford Market (Mumbai).