Decor and floral costs are among the easiest event budget categories to underestimate, since individual choices — a taller centrepiece, an additional floral arch, premium out-of-season blooms — each seem small but accumulate quickly across a full event. Seasonal flowers are consistently more affordable than out-of-season alternatives, and a good florist will often suggest substitutes that achieve a similar visual effect at a lower cost. Reusing decor elements across different parts of a venue — moving ceremony flowers to the reception space, for instance — is a practical way to reduce total floral spend without reducing visual impact. When comparing quotes between decor providers, confirm exactly what's included: delivery, setup, breakdown, and any rental items like vases or arches, since these are common areas where an initially attractive quote grows once add-ons are factored in. Ask to see photos of a florist's previous work at a similar scale and venue type, rather than relying solely on curated portfolio images, since venue lighting and scale significantly affect how decor actually looks in person. Building in a specific contingency for decor, separate from the general event budget buffer, helps absorb the inevitable small additions that come up close to the event date.