Do you enjoy organising parties and coming up with original decor? If so, you should read this tutorial! We’ll show you the fundamentals of event decorating today! Many subjects will be covered for your consideration. From the kinds of events, event decorators can work on to the qualifications needed for the position to client acquisition strategies. Read on for all the knowledge you need to get started, whether you’re just starting out or hoping to advance your career.
What Is an Event Decorator?
An event decorator is in charge of the setting’s overall mood and outward appearance. This might involve everything from choosing the ideal colour scheme and decorations to positioning furniture and controlling the event space’s layout. Weddings, business events, parties, conferences, and other events are just a few of the occasions that event decorators may work on. Since no two events are the same, event decorators face a fresh problem with each one.
What Skills Does an Event Decorator Need?
Event decor specialists need to have a great sense of creativity in order to succeed in this position. They must also have the capacity to think creatively. They must also be organised and detail-oriented because they frequently work under time constraints. Additionally, coordination with clients and other providers requires effective communication skills.
Professionals that work in event decor should also be well-versed in safety protocols and laws. After all, it will be their job to make sure that every decoration is set up properly and securely.
Aren’t Event Planners Already Decorators?
You might be shocked to learn that NO is the real answer to this query.
Event planners must be imaginative and have an eye for detail, but their main concern is with the event’s logistics. This includes organising the timeline on the day of the event, scheduling vendors, and managing the budget. There are numerous planners that don’t provide decorating services, while others do as part of their business. Instead, they will hire a qualified event decorator to handle these tasks.
On the other hand, event decorators are just concerned with the venue’s outside appearance. They are relieved of all additional logistical concerns. Instead, they can only concentrate on making the event attractive. There are two ways you might approach professional event decoration depending on who you are and what you want to do with your career:
- You can expand your current event planning business by receiving training and certification (by offering decor services as well).
- To create a company that focuses only on providing event decoration services, you can get educated and certified.
You are fully free to take whichever path you like!
How Much Money Does an Event Decorator Make?
The kind of revenue you can anticipate will depend on a number of variables, including:
- where you are
- The level of interest in your area’s event decor services
- Local rivals and your capacity to distinguish yourself from them
- Regardless of whether you have any formal education or training,
- How much work you’re willing to put into your business plans, marketing initiatives, etc.
- Whether you are employed by a current company or are self-employed
- whether you solely provide event decorating services or whether you also provide other services (such as event/wedding planning), etc.
Average Salaries for Event Decorators
In light of this, we are able to share with you the typical salaries for event decorators in several international locations.
For instance, the average annual wage in the United States ranges from $17,500 to $50,500. The average annual salary for event designers in Canada is between $35,000 and $67,000 CAD. And if you live in Sydney, your annual salary will probably range from £21,000 to £53,000 GBP.
Remember once more that if you included additional services, like event or wedding preparation, this number might very well be higher!
How Do I Become an Event Decorator?
Now that we’ve addressed some of the most common queries concerning event decorating, it’s time to provide you with some advice on how to break into this industry. It won’t matter whether you want to expand your current firm to include decorating services or launch a brand-new decorating company, which is important…
In either case, these 6 steps will still be helpful.
How to Become an Event Decorator in 6 Easy Steps
Step 1: Decide What Kind of Decorator You Want To Be
Simply deciding what sort of event decorator you want to be is the first step. After all, you shouldn’t begin a new career in the dark. The better your preparation, the better!
- Fortunately, there are several other methods to specialise in this area, including by
- concentrating on a certain kind of event (i.e. weddings, corporate events, private parties, etc.)
- supplying both indoor and outdoor environments with services
- providing both physical and online event decorating services
- putting together packages that include other services like flower design, furniture rentals, sourcing for props, event/wedding planning, etc.
Step 2: Build The Foundation for Your Business
Now, this skip won’t necessarily apply to you if you plan to join an established events firm. Despite this, we nevertheless advise reading it in case you decide to go out on your own in the future. However, in the interim, we advise anyone looking to join a team to polish their CV and interviewing techniques.
But if starting your own business is your aim, you should be aware that there are a few things you’ll need to accomplish initially in order to launch any firm and have any chance of success. You must, for instance:
- Create a catchy and clever business name (and register it);
- Make a beautiful website that accurately represents your brand identity and provides potential customers with all the information they need to know about you or your business;
- become social media savvy;
- Create a beautiful portfolio of your previous (and greatest) decor projects;
- Create a practical business plan;
- Establish the budget for your company;
- Choose the marketing tactics you want to use for your company;
- and more.
Don’t worry if you have never started your own business. You can get some pointers from Shopify in this article that outlines 11 steps.
Step 3: Choose What Services You Want to OfferStep 3: Choose What Services You Want to Offer
Selecting the services you wish to provide as an event decorator is a next step. For instance, will you merely be in charge of setting up the decorations? Or will you also be in charge of their design? You can begin to expand your services in accordance with your strengths once you are aware of them.
Uncertain about where to begin? Following is a list of typical services provided by event decorators:
- Event design
- Venue selection
- Budget management
- Floral design*
- Furniture rentals
- Prop sourcing and styling
- Linen rentals
- Lighting design and installation
- Backdrop construction and installation
Step 4: Take a Course on How to Become an Event Decorator
It’s time to receive the appropriate training now that you are clear on the type of event decorator you want to be and the services you want to provide. And the training you’ll need will differ slightly depending on the path you intend to take, such as starting your own business or working for an established organisation.
For instance, we strongly advise enrolling in an event decorating course. In as short as 3-6 months, the self-paced, online Event Decor Course from QC Event School will teach you everything you require to become an internationally recognised International Event Decorating ProfessionalTM (IEDPTM)!
You will learn everything there is to know about:
- The obligations and duties of a qualified event decorator
- How to carry out efficient client consultations
- Psychology, theory, and colour schemes
- The significance of atmosphere and tone for all types of events
- How to effectively implement a consistent theme
- Making useful event layouts
- How to use different sorts of event decor components
- researching and locating suppliers and vendors
- differences in lighting
- Renting furniture and accessories
- Keeping to a budget
- How to start and grow a successful business, plus so much more!
Additional Learning
This course will be more than enough to develop a strong skill set and help you make your resume enticing if you plan to join an existing events team! However, if you want to start your own business, this training will also be more than sufficient. However, it might benefit from an extra push in the right direction.
In that case, we also suggest QC’s workshop, Accelerate Your Business! You will receive all the skills and knowledge required to advance your business operations and improve your chances of success with this 10-unit course. You’ll discover important lessons such, but not limited to:
- Choosing your target market
- identifying the “gap” in your market and differentiating yourself from your rivals
- The preparation and assessment of promotional offers
- building a business website that is efficient and user-friendly
- How to increase your visibility online with SEO and Google Analytics
- Developing informative content for your target audience
- the creation of email newsletters
- How to create pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns
- How to create a top-notch, expert portfolio of your work
- Advice for setting up a styled picture shoot
- The benefits of networking (and guidance for getting started)
- Creating expert emails, contracts, and other written materials.
- Techniques for resolving disputes
- Acquisition and retention tactics for customers
- INSANELY MUCH MORE!
Step 5: Get Real-World Experience as an Event Decorator
Getting practical experience is the best method to learn how to decorate events. And fortunately, there are a couple approaches you can use to accomplish this:
Volunteer for Local Events and Weddings
Volunteering at neighbourhood events and weddings is one of the most popular methods to earn experience (and build your brand). You might start by looking for local volunteer opportunities online. Another choice is to get in touch with friends, relatives, and/or acquaintances who could be organising an event to see if they require any assistance.
This is a terrific way to begin started because you can test out various event design trends and methods without feeling under pressure to “perform” for paying customers. In addition, it’s a great method to expand your portfolio.
Offer Complimentary Decorating Services to Friends/Family
Offering your services for free to friends or family members who are organising an event is another excellent approach to gaining expertise. This will provide you with the opportunity to practise your event decorating abilities in a relaxed setting while also expanding your portfolio, even though you might not necessarily be paid for it.
And you can always offer to do it “in exchange” for anything else if you’re not thrilled about doing this kind of job for free (like dinner, a gift card, etc.).
Do Small Gigs/Side Projects
Working on side jobs or small engagements is a great way to gain experience as an event decorator. This should be relatively simple to execute since there are always individuals looking for assistance with their little gatherings or parties.
You can look online for event decorator jobs in your neighbourhood or get in touch with nearby establishments to see if they require assistance. This is a fantastic way to acquire some experience in the real world and get your feet wet.
Take Part in a Stylized Photoshoot
Finally, participating in a stylized photoshoot is yet another fantastic approach to getting experience and developing your portfolio. To see if local photographers or event coordinators are interested in working together on a project, you can get in touch with them.
This will not only provide you valuable experience, but it will also give you the chance to add some gorgeous pictures to your portfolio!
Step 6: Start Applying for Jobs or Launch Your Own Business!
It’s time to put your newfound knowledge to use now that you are fully informed on the career of an event decorator. Start by searching online job boards and classifieds for employment that are available in your region. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind when responding to job postings:
- Ensure that your resume is current and appropriate for the event decoration business.
- In your cover letter, draw attention to any pertinent experience, education, or credentials you may have.
- Consider contacting nearby event planners or venues and offering your skills as an intern or assistant if you lack considerable professional experience.
Alternatively, if you’re determined to launch your own firm, it’s time to market your offerings and start looking for customers. Here are some pointers to get you going:
- Make an expert website or online portfolio to display your work.
- Promote your company through social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
- Connect with regional event organisers, venues, and other professionals in the field.
- Participate in industry-related trade exhibitions or conventions for the event planning sector.
Conclusion
There you have it, then! You are now fully informed regarding how to work as an event decorator. Just keep in mind to act and employ your new talents, and you’ll soon be well on your way to a rewarding profession. Do you have any more advice for aspiring event decorators? Please share them in the comments section below.
