When you look at photos, people are often the focus of your attention, but have you ever wondered how a drab room can be turned into a Cinderella set? That's the magic of decor and styling.
Let's take a closer look at the costs.
As of October 2026, one wedding backdrop or arch set in Singapore costs about S$210 to S$1,580. A solemnisation set, which is the styled table for the legal signing of your marriage, costs about S$320 to S$1,080.
Every figure here comes from Singapore stylists' own published price lists, which we checked in October 2026.
The good news? Most stylists fold delivery, setup and teardown into the set price. Just keep an eye on the clock, because the time on site is capped at a few hours.
How stylists package it
So what exactly is a set? It's one finished piece, whether that's a floral arch, a pleated backdrop made of folded fabric panels or a fairy light curtain. What moves the price most is its size, the number of flower stands and whether you go for fresh or faux flowers.
Nearly every stylist tops out at S$800 or less for one backdrop or arch, and the priciest sets of all are themed balloon backdrops up to 4.5 m wide.
Some stylists charge a flat fee per booking instead. A separate delivery or setup fee, where there is one, is about S$30 to S$150.
One stylist charges a flat S$120 booking fee, which adds about 40 per cent to the price of its cheapest arch. The fee stays the same for one piece or ten, so it weighs most on a small order.
A solemnisation set styles the signing table with a cloth, a centrepiece and a pen. It also dresses the couple's chairs and the witness chairs, and some sets style five chairs in all.
Balloon arches are also sold whole, usually about 3 m wide and 2.5 m high, while garlands sold by length cost S$50 to S$99 a metre. Some garlands even come ready to hang, though you'll have to put them up yourself, so it's time to rope in your tallest friend.
Dessert tables come two ways. Either a prop set styles your own cakes, or a dessert vendor sells you the table with the desserts included. That second kind is priced by guest count, running from about S$300 for 10 to 15 guests up to S$1,580 for 60 or more. Sweet!
- Backdrop or arch setS$210S$1,580
- Solemnisation setS$320S$1,080
- Dessert table with dessertsS$300S$1,580
- Solemnisation set plus backdropS$530S$2,660
- Separate delivery or setup feeS$30S$150
| Item | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Backdrop or arch set | S$210 | S$1,580 |
| Solemnisation set | S$320 | S$1,080 |
| Dessert table with desserts | S$300 | S$1,580 |
| Solemnisation set plus backdrop | S$530 | S$2,660 |
| Separate delivery or setup fee | S$30 | S$150 |
What is usually included and what is usually extra
| Usually included | Usually extra |
|---|---|
| Delivery, setup and teardown at most stylists | A flat booking fee at some stylists |
| Four to five hours on site | Each hour beyond that |
| Faux flowers | Fresh flowers |
| Indoor setup | Outdoor setup |
| Five styled chairs on some sets | More chairs |
| Name signage on some backdrops | Custom name signage at other stylists |
| Same-night teardown | Teardown at some balloon vendors |
The catch
The thing couples miss most is the time limit. The set price covers four to five hours on site, and some stylists charge for every hour past that, so a long, lazy banquet can quietly add to your bill.
The time of day matters too, with an early morning setup or a late night slot adding about S$20 to S$150. A lunch banquet is the usual culprit, and one stylist adds a fee to every lunch set because the crew has to finish before 11 am.
Location can also cost you. Some stylists add a surcharge for venues such as Sentosa, Changi or Marina Bay Sands, and venues without lift access cost more as well (those arches don't carry themselves up the stairs).
Before you book anything, check what your hotel already covers. A hotel package can include basic stage, signing table and reception styling through the hotel's own florist, which could save you a tidy sum. The venue also decides when a stylist can get in, and at least one stylist makes you responsible for getting the venue's approval for backdrops, flowers and lights.
Finally, payment terms can vary significantly. They range from half the price up front to full payment at booking, and one stylist keeps a 70 per cent down payment that you won't get back if you cancel.
Five questions to ask before you pay a deposit
- Is delivery, setup and teardown inside the set price or a separate fee?
- How many hours on site does the price cover?
- What is the fee for each extra hour?
- Who gets the venue's approval to install, you or the stylist?
- What share is paid up front, and is any of it refundable?
When to book
Try to book at least one month before the wedding. One stylist asks couples who are inside a month to check availability first, because it holds only one physical set of each design, and the first couple to pay gets the date.
Booking inside seven days can also add a last minute fee on top of the set price, so sticking to the month ahead rule saves you money as well as a whole lot of worry.
How much should wedding decorations cost?
One solemnisation set and one photo backdrop together cost about S$530 to S$2,660. Be sure to add any booking fee, extra hours and area surcharge before you compare quotes.
Do I still need a decorator if my hotel package includes decor?
Not always. Ask the hotel for its decor list in writing, then book a stylist only for what is missing, such as a photo backdrop.
How long does decor setup take for a lunch wedding?
One stylist lists 30 to 40 minutes to set up a single arch or fairy-light backdrop. A full setup takes one to two hours, and a balloon arch can take about two.
Your next step
Backdrop booked? Brilliant. Now compare photographer rates per hour, side by side, because your photographer is the one who'll capture every gorgeous set you've paid for. It would be a shame if all that styling never made it into the album!
