Renting Vs. Buying

Suggestions from a planner, and 2 Surprise items you can rent!

Let's get right into it. Truth be told, weddings can be expensive. This is probably one of the largest parties you will ever have the pleasure of hosting. And as a fantastic host, you want your guests to have an enjoyable experience and to remember the day fondly. That being said, there are tons of little details that go into making that experience amazing. From renting tables and chairs, down to the most minute detail of napkins.

(Surprise rental #1)

In the wedding world, most things (think anything that is reusable) are available for rental. I recently had a wedding that wanted ferns for their ceremony focal point and at the start of their aisle. Guess what! They rented the ferns. Yes, even plants can be rentals. Luckily for them, this service was available in the county where their venue was located. The price was within their budget, but the big ticket item was the delivery fee. They were able to avoid this by having the bride's dad pick up the ferns the morning of the wedding and returning them the next day.

Staging and arch draping done by On.Hae Productions. Rentals include: lanterns (OHP Decor), ferns, and the arch (provided by the venue). Purchased items: arch draping fabric and arch flower arrangements.

The most important thing to note about that story is not the rental item, the price, or even the logistics. It's their vision and creativity. They had a goal, and they were creative in how to achieve it. The bride had a vision of ferns at her winter wedding, and she did some digging to find them as rentals.

Other popular rental items are the aforementioned tables and chairs. People also rent items like chargers and vases, table linens, and cloth napkins. Many planners (including myself) and decorators offer items such as table numbers, votives, signage (very important for guest experience), and other decor items like card boxes. We may have the style you're looking for. It is always good to ask if they have a specific item. If they don't, this may be an item worth spending a few extra bucks on.

The couple had a beach theme and purchased sea glass table numbers.

I often have clients tell me they want to purchase plates, cloth napkins, specialty table linens, gift boxes, and so on. When this happens, I ask them one question. "When will you use this many *** (insert item name) again?" Usually, they conclude that they won't, or at least not soon (within the next couple of years). It's at this point that we discuss rental options. There are specialty rental items, and there are general rental items. I refer according to their desired outcome.

And please don't get me wrong! If they want to buy specialty items like scalloped-edge napkins, by all means, do what makes your heart happy. I suggest doing it for their bridal party, especially if it's a head table or king's table. That way, the couple is only purchasing 20 instead of maybe 120. The name of the game here is "spend wisely". Reserve purchases for long-term investments that you'll use many times over; otherwise, rent.

Lawn games are a good rental item unless you plan on using them often.

A huge trend I am seeing is that couples want their guests to be entertained during cocktail hour. This can lead to clients wanting to purchase large items like cornhole, giant Jenga, and other large lawn games. This is one I am not opposed to clients purchasing if they intend to use these often. If not, I recommend they rent them.

My last fun rental is an interactive item, such as a phone booth, to leave a message for the couple. Video booths are also now available to rent.

Who doesn't love a phone booth?

(Surprise Rental #2)

Now, for a more serious rental. This came up for me recently. If you are planning on having a wedding in a yard (think family member or friend is letting you use the yard), and you opt for a tent rental. The majority, if not all, of the items should come from the rental company. Generators, poles, etc., that's all good for the day of the event. But what about at the end of the night? When everyone is leaving, and your vendor team is heading out. What are you going to do with all the trash?

Rent a dumpster or hire a trash removal service for the next day. Not all caterers take trash. And not every neighborhood (think rural areas) has weekly scheduled trash services. So rent some extra trash cans, maybe buy some extra trash bags, and party with a clean conscience knowing you planned a fantastic event. Complete with a rented dumpster.

Don't forget the trash.

As always, I hope this was a pleasurable and insightful read.

Till next time.