How Much Does Wedding Styling Cost In Australia?
One of the most common questions couples ask once the venue is locked in is a big one – how much does wedding styling actually cost?
Styling is often misunderstood. Some couples assume it is just flowers and a few candles. Others think it is an optional extra you add if there is money left at the end of the budget. In reality, wedding styling is what transforms a space, elevates your guest experience, and makes your wedding feel intentional rather than just pieced together.
If you are planning a wedding in Australia and trying to understand where styling fits into your budget, this guide will break it down clearly, honestly, and without the fluff.
What Is Wedding Styling?
Wedding styling is the visual and experiential layer of your wedding. It is how your wedding feels the moment guests arrive.
Styling can include:
Overall aesthetic and design direction
Ceremony styling
Reception styling
Furniture and hire items
Florals
Linens, tableware, candles and lamps
On the day stationery
Lighting and ambience
Fabric draping and installations
Styling of existing venue features
Set up, pack down and on-the-day execution
Good styling does not just look beautiful in photos. It guides how guests move through the space, where their eyes land, and how cohesive the day feels from start to finish.
Why Wedding Styling Costs Vary So Much
There is no single answer to “how much does wedding styling cost?” because styling is deeply customised.
Your styling investment will depend on:
Guest numbers
Ceremony and reception locations
Level of detail and scale
Hire items versus venue inclusions
Floral complexity
Whether complex draping or installations are included
DIY versus fully managed styling
Whether you are investing in concept design, expert execution, or both
Two weddings at the same venue can have vastly different styling budgets depending on the vision and level of finish.
Typical Wedding Styling Cost Breakdown in Australia
Below is a realistic breakdown of where styling costs usually sit for Australian weddings. These are guides only, and there will always be vendors that charge less and vendors that charge more.
1. Concept Design and Styling Direction
Estimated investment: $1500 - $2000
(My Design and Styling Experience is $1600 for 2026 couples, and includes set up and styling execution)
This is the foundation of your wedding styling and one of the most overlooked investments.
Concept design includes:
Translating your story, preferences and priorities into a cohesive vision
Colour palette development
Material and texture selection
Styling references and mood boards
Guidance on what to invest in and what to simplify
A clear, comprehensive design brief for florists, hire companies and stationers
Why this matters:
Without a strong concept, couples often overspend on the wrong elements or end up with a wedding that feels mismatched. Concept design ensures every decision supports the same vision.
The benefit:
Confidence. Clarity. A wedding that feels intentional rather than assembled from Pinterest screenshots.
2. Ceremony Styling
Ceremony styling can include:
Floral arbour, ground meadow or plinth styling
Fabric draping
Aisle design elements
Chairs or pew styling
Welcome signage styling
Guest comfort such as water stations and parasols and fans for summer, or blankets for winter
Ceremony styling often sets the tone for the entire day and is one of the most photographed moments.
3. Reception Styling
Reception styling usually forms the largest portion of the styling budget.
This may include:
Table styling elements such as table lamps and candles
Tablecloths and napkins
Tableware and glassware
Floral centrepieces or bud vases
Stationery integration such as place cards, menus, wishing well signs etc
Feature installations
Bar styling
Lounge areas
Lighting and ambience
The more guests you have, the more styling elements are required, which naturally impacts cost.
4. Florals
Estimated investment: $3,500 - $10,000+
Florals are a key styling element. Most florists will have a minimum fee that may, or may not, include labour and delivery charges. Floral costs vary based on:
Flower choice and seasonality
Quantity and scale
Installations versus arrangements
Table florals i.e. arrangements vs bud vases
Re-use between ceremony and reception
Fresh vs faux - although good quality faux will be similar pricing to fresh
Florals often work hand-in-hand with styling elements such as plinths, vessels, tables and fabric.
5. Fabric Draping and Installations
Estimated investment: $1,500 - $5,000+
Fabric draping is one of the most transformative styling tools available, yet it is often underestimated. Picture full wall draping for a large venue, plus ceiling draping layering exposeed rafters. That’s a lot of fabric, a lot of installation time and requires some heavy duty, professional-grade supplies.
Draping can be used to:
Soften large or blank spaces
Frame ceremony backdrops
Create intimacy in large rooms
Add movement and romance
Conceal less attractive venue elements
Elevate marquee and blank canvas venues
Costs vary depending on:
Ceiling height and access
Rigging requirements
Fabric quantity and quality
Labour and installation complexity
The benefit:
Instant impact. Draping changes how a space feels, not just how it looks. It’s one of the most impactful styling items you can implement and delivers remarkable value for the effect it has.
6. Furniture and Large Hire Items
Estimated investment: $3,000 - $10,000+
Hire items may include:
Tables and chairs (you’ll find Bentwood chairs for around $13 a piece, whereas an upholstered chair can be more than double)
Bars and lounges
Plinths and stands
Linen and napkins (polyester is way cheaper than linen, cotton or velvet)
Lighting (costs vary - consider table lamps vs hung chandeliers)
Decorative features
Even venues with inclusions often benefit from selective upgrades to align with your styling vision. Chairs are one of the most impactful design elements you can invest in.
7. Styling Set Up, Pack Down and On-the-Day Execution
Estimated investment: $1500 (or included in my Design & Styling Experience)
This is the piece many couples forget to budget for.
Expert execution includes:
Managing delivery and bump-in schedules
Styling the space exactly as designed
Adjusting elements on the day for weather or light
Coordinating suppliers
Pack down and return of hire items
Why this matters:
Beautiful styling only works if it is executed properly. Without professional execution, even the best design can fall flat or cause stress on the day.
The benefit:
A seamless, calm wedding day where you are not lifting chairs, placing candles, or troubleshooting styling issues.
What Is a Realistic Total Styling Budget?
For Australian weddings, styling investments can sit around:
Intimate or micro weddings: $2,500 - $5,000+
Mid-size weddings: $5,000 - $15,000+
Large or highly styled weddings: $10,000 - $25,000+
These figures are not about excess. They reflect the cost of materials, labour, logistics, expertise and professional execution. It’s difficult to estimate a styling budget without knowing individual couple preferences, venue selection and overall vision - where fresh florals may be a non-negotiable to one couple, the next may only want bridal party florals and prefer to put their budget to draping. An important jumping off point is working out your priorities early on - I have a free Priorities Worksheet to help you.
Is Professional Wedding Styling Worth It?
For couples who value:
A cohesive, elevated aesthetic
A considered guest experience
Less stress and decision fatigue
Professional guidance
A wedding that feels timeless rather than trend-driven
The answer is almost always yes.
Styling is not about having more. It is about having intention behind what you choose.
Final Thoughts
Wedding styling is an investment in how your wedding feels, flows and is remembered.
When budgeting, consider not just the visual outcome, but the expertise, planning and execution required to bring that vision to life.
A well-styled wedding does not happen by accident. It is designed, curated and executed with care.
If you are unsure where styling fits into your budget or want help refining a vision that feels like you, working with a professional stylist can save you money, time and stress in the long run. I’d love to chat.