With your vendors selected and booked, now you can start thinking about rentals.
Depending on your ceremony and reception venues, you may want to consider rentals for inclement weather. Begin by searching for businesses who rent tents. You’ve got your guest list done, so take a look at the number of people you are inviting and, first, look at your ceremony venue. If you are planning an outdoor wedding, think about the time of year it will take place. There is always a possibility of rain no matter what the weatherman tells you. Draw a map of what your outdoor venue will look like and calculate how many tents you may need depending on the size available. Although it is considered good luck to have rain on your wedding day, a couple hundred soaked guests may not agree.
While you are looking for tents to rent, think about your reception. Are you interested in specific linens for your guests to eat on at their tables? Depending on your chosen theme or color scheme, you may want to coordinate with matching tablecloths or napkins. You may also consider other items for rent such as tables and chairs if you are worried about enough seating or are wanting different seating areas for your guests, as well as heaters if the time of year may get chilly early on in the evening.
Many rental businesses also have decorations for rent both on a large and small scale. If you are planning an outdoor celebration for your day, think about arbors, benches, decorative trees or wells. Arbors and benches may make for some beautiful, easy going photographic opportunities for both you and your partner, as well as family and friends pictures. Wishing wells could be used for both pictorial decoration or as a holder for your guests to put their cards in for you. If your venue is outdoors, you may also want to rent a dance floor and lighting to keep your party going all night long.
Small scale decorations for rent at some businesses can include centerpieces and favors as well. Depending on your theme, there may be some items you could use like the popular mason jars. Although renting small decorations are a nice option, you may also want to do your own research and see if you can’t find the same items in bulk for cheaper online. Once your day is over, there are Facebook groups specifically for wedding items where you can sell them once your day is done.
More and more couples are steering away from the traditional guest book and renting photo booths as well. This allows them to capture the smiling faces of their family and friends on their day. I would like to have an Instamatic camera and film for guests to snap photos of themselves and put into a guest photo album.
When considering your meal, think about what you want to serve it on. Many rental businesses also offer dishes, glasses and flatware. If you are wanting a more formal affair, consider these items for rental as well. Double and triple burner hotplates are available as well as chafing dishes (you know, those dishes that some caterers use that have lids and burners underneath to keep food warm). For a potluck, family-oriented meal, these service essentials are a must.
Renting items is an important part of the planning process. If you find yourself needing to rent numerous items, you may want to see what businesses may offer a discount if you rent a large amount of items. When it comes to your wedding, you want everything to be perfect and beautiful, but you also want to find discounts wherever you can.
