Wedding décor styling and hire

Engaged couples, wedding planners and venues that want a finished look without buying the pieces.

Fixed packages or per-item hire fees, plus setup and delivery charges. The same stock can be rented again for many weddings.

• Eye for design and colour
• Organized and calm under deadlines
• Lifting, loading and setting up on the day

• Commercial general liability insurance; many venues ask for proof of cover before you can work there
• Check whether your municipality needs a home-based business licence if you store stock at home
• Damage, loss and storage of hired items; use clear contracts and damage deposits
• Busy season is mostly late spring to early autumn, so plan cash flow for winter
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold; check how your province handles it

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how much stock you buy, such as backdrops, signs and table styling, and what you spend on storage and transport. Starting with a small collection keeps costs lower.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $4,000, depending on how many weddings you style and how much stock you own. Bookings cluster in warmer months, so plan cash flow for winter.

Check commercial general liability insurance, since many venues ask for proof of cover. Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence if you store stock at home, and how GST/HST applies once you pass the small supplier threshold.