How to Rent Wedding Reception Decorations

Practical tips for choosing the right elements for your celebration

By Yu Qing

Photo by Jen Huang Photography

Create the wedding of your dreams with a thoughtful selection of decorations. The right pieces can transform an ordinary event into something extraordinary. Surprise your guests with an enchanting ice sculpture of a Greek goddess, or charm them with a flowing chocolate fountain. Finding the right pieces to suit the venue may seem daunting at first, as logistics can get complicated. Fortunately, rental companies carry many a variety of decorations and offer several delivery options for your convenience.

• What You Need to Know
• Consider your overall wedding budget when selecting decorations. You'll need to how much you can spend before you decide to spend anything.
• The venue coordinator is a great resource for advice on decorations and vendors.

Step 1:

Before you decide on a theme, style or decorations themselves, sit down and make a list of everything that you need to rent in terms of will decorations or decorative elements. Cover all your bases including items like centerpieces, chairs and table decorations.

Step 2:

If you haven't already, figure out what kind of flowers and floral arrangements you want at your wedding and reception. You'll want to make sure the floral elements and decorations complement one another. Keep a list of flowers you will be using on hand as you begin to interview vendors.

Step 3:

After doing adequate research, set up meetings with several different rental companies and decorations vendors. Don't choose the first one that comes around. Go through a series of interviews before select a vendor. In this way you'll find a vendor that matches both your tastes and your budget.

Step 4:

Ask your event planner or caterer to go rental shopping with you. His or her experience will help you find decorations that will realize your vision for the event. Moreover, she'll know what items and equipment are necessary to put a wedding together. Likewise, call your florist for help with renting accessories that work well with your floral centerpieces. Ideas include ornate candleholders, vases and designer china.

Step 5:

Select decorations for the chairs. Colored cushions add color and comfort to your guests' seating. The color can match the table setting, or create a dramatic statement by straying from the color scheme. Chairs can also add to the wedding décor: rent angular Bellini chairs for a modern look, or white wicker chairs for a country-chic wedding.

Step 6:

Choose decorative linens that match your theme. Or, create an interesting color palette by renting tablecloths in one shade, and napkins in another. For example, pair navy cotton tablecloths with silver embroidered napkins. Keep in mind that embroidered linens are more expensive, while plain cotton ones are less expensive. You can even commission the company to design custom linens for your event if you can't find what you're looking for.

Step 7:

Look over the contract when you're finished selecting reception decorations. Review the date when the rental company will deliver the equipment; it should work well with your wedding schedule. Ask about extra costs, such as special delivery fees for weekend events before you sign.

• Tips & Warnings
• Your event planner can offer expert advice for renting decorations.
• Choose a combination of classic and modern items to create an impact
• Reserve decorations at least two to three months before the event to reserve decorations you want.