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Step-by-step guide

Event decor and small event planning: your step-by-step start

Decorate and plan birthdays, baby showers, umembeso, weddings and year-end functions, with decor you own or hire.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Creative, organised people who enjoy styling and can handle clients and suppliers under pressure.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 30 days.
  • You have no way to get to customers or move your kit.
  • You cannot put about R1 000 into getting started.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 30 days.
  • Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
  • The main risk to plan for: damaged or lost decor: a breakage deposit.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How event decor and small event planning worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Get hire price lists from two suppliers3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Write three packages with deposits3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Aim for style your first paid event3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Post the set-up photos3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Buy the decor you hire most often3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Aim for partner with a caterer and a DJ for joint packages3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R1 000 to R20 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Decor stock
  • Supplier price lists
  • Booking form
  • Event-day checklist

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.