When planning a wedding, milestone birthday, or backyard celebration, the question comes up for almost everyone: should you decorate yourself, or call in the professionals? At first glance, DIY might feel cheaper and even a little fun. But in reality, it often costs far more — in time, stress, and sometimes money — than hosts expect.

At Martinez Party Rentals, we’ve seen it firsthand: professional decorating doesn’t just look better — it saves real time, keeps budgets predictable, and turns what could be a day of stress into a day of celebration. Here’s how.

Time Saved: Hours You Didn’t Know You’d Spend

Most people underestimate just how much time event decorating actually takes. For a typical mid-size event of 75–100 guests, DIY setup can take anywhere from 8 to 12 hours spread over the day before and the day of the event. That includes:

• Setting up tables and chairs (2–3 hours)
• Ironing, steaming, and placing linens (1–2 hours)
• Hanging lighting, draping, and décor (2–3 hours)
• Styling centerpieces and final touches (1–2 hours)

By comparison, a professional crew from Martinez Party Rentals can handle full setup in about 3–4 hours, depending on the complexity — meaning you get back nearly a full workday to spend on things you actually enjoy: getting ready, greeting family, or simply relaxing.

Hidden Costs of DIY: What People Don’t Budget For

The average couple in the U.S. spends $2,300 on décor alone for a wedding (The Knot 2023). Many people assume DIY will slash that cost, but what’s often overlooked:

• Buying single-use items you won’t reuse: tablecloths, chair sashes, centerpieces
• Purchasing tools and supplies: extension cords, floral foam, hanging kits, extra lighting
• Backup items: DIY projects rarely go perfectly the first time, leading to extra purchases
• Storage, delivery fees, and time spent picking up materials

When added together, DIY decorating often ends up costing 20–30% more than expected — sometimes coming close to what professional design and rental services would have cost in the first place.

Professional Decorating Keeps Your Budget Predictable

When you hire professionals, costs are clear upfront: one rental quote covers linens, décor, setup, and teardown. No surprises, no last-minute spending.

Quality and Reuse = True Savings

Professionally rented linens, furniture, and décor are designed to last and look elegant — unlike single-use décor that may wrinkle, fade, or tear. And you won’t be stuck afterward trying to store or sell leftover items.

The Bottom Line: Less Stress, Better Value

DIY decorating may sound cheaper, but in practice:

• You save about 8+ hours of personal time
• You avoid last-minute purchases that can add 20–30% to your original décor budget
• You get a polished, professionally styled event space — without lifting a finger on event day

At Martinez Party Rentals, our goal is to help clients enjoy their event as much as their guests do. We handle the details, the heavy lifting, and the creative execution so you can focus on the celebration itself.