The Art of Event Décor

A practical, portfolio-driven décor course taking you from design principles to executing full event installations. Created with Pearls and Roses, and built around the realities of the Kenyan market.

8 weeks, in personStarts 4th February 202712 to 18 studentsWith Pearls and Roses
Students at an academy session

The Events Academy › The Art of Event Décor

About the course

Built around the realities of the Kenyan events market — weddings, corporate functions, traditional ceremonies, church events and the growing premium events space — with a strong emphasis on costing, vendor coordination and hands-on styling.

The Events Academy leads the business, planning and operations modules. Pearls and Roses anchors the craft modules with real inventory, live installations and mentorship from working stylists. You leave with a joint certificate and a portfolio piece.

What you will learn

  • Design principles, colour theory and mood boards
  • Turning a theme into a coherent visual concept
  • Floral design, sourcing and conditioning
  • Draping, backdrops, arches and safe rigging
  • Table styling and tablescapes
  • Reading a venue and planning the space
  • Costing and quoting a décor package
  • Inventory, logistics and vendor coordination
  • Pricing for profit and building rental stock

How the course runs

  • Next intakeThursday 4th February 2027
  • Length8 weeks, in person, theory paired with practical studio sessions
  • Class size12 to 18 students
  • PartnerCo-created with Pearls and Roses, 50/50
  • AssessmentPractical work in every module, a costing and quoting assignment, and a final capstone styling project
  • CertificateA joint Events Academy and Pearls and Roses certificate
  • You also leave withA portfolio piece from your capstone
  • Intake4th February 2027. Fee to be announced

Course modules

  1. Foundations of event décor
    • Design principles, colour theory, mood boards and reading the brief
    • How décor differs across Kenyan weddings, corporate, religious and traditional events
  2. Themes, concepts and storytelling
    • Translating a theme into a coherent visual concept
    • Adapting global trends affordably
    • Cultural sensitivity in traditional and religious styling
  3. Floral design and greenery
    • Fresh, artificial and dried florals
    • Sourcing from Nairobi markets and farms
    • Arrangements, centrepieces and floral walls
    • Conditioning and costing
  4. Draping, backdrops and structures
    • Fabric behaviour; ceiling and wall draping
    • Backdrop construction, arches and frames
    • Lighting integration basics and safe rigging
  5. Table styling and tablescapes
    • Linen, crockery, glassware, charger plates and napkin styling
    • Scaling a centrepiece; head table against guest tables
  6. Spatial planning and layout
    • Reading a venue, floor plans and traffic flow
    • Staging, focal zones, marquees and outdoor spaces
  7. Décor business and operations
    • Costing and quoting a package
    • Inventory, logistics and vendor coordination
    • Contracts, pricing for profit and building rental inventory
  8. Capstone: full event styling
    • Design and execute a complete setup, brief to breakdown
    • Present to a panel and build your portfolio piece

Questions people ask

When does it start?

The first intake starts on 4th February 2027. Registration opens ahead of it, and there is a free taster masterclass before the course begins.

Who is it for?

Anyone wanting to work in décor, and planners and stylists who want to take the styling in-house rather than subcontract it.

Do I need experience?

No. The course starts with the design fundamentals and builds to a full installation.

What do I leave with?

A joint Events Academy and Pearls and Roses certificate, and a portfolio piece from your capstone project.

Be first to hear

We will email you when dates, fees and registration open. Nothing is charged here.