Let’s talk all things rentals, ladies. Rentals can upgrade the experience you are delivering to your guests on your wedding day. But, more importantly for you and your groom, they allow you to showcase your personality. Rentals can take the inspiration you have in your head and turn your wedding into a real-life dream. Recently the Riding Tandem team had to opportunity to build vendor relationships through a special outing at La Tavola Fine Linen Rentals. They offer an extensive collection of couture rental linens and the finest fabrics in the rental industry. La Tavola rentals will allow you to present a unique tablescape at your wedding.
BUILD OUT VS PROVIDED
Your venue is going to play a large role in what rentals you have to coordinate. A full beautiful desert build will require more rentals than a fully staffed resort wedding. Make sure to look over contracts and discuss with your venue what they have to serve you vs. what you need to outsource. Resort weddings will generally provide you with ceremony chairs, tables, linens, lighting, glass, and dinnerwear. Consider these options when coordinating the style of the venue into the style of your wedding. Full desert builds would require you, or the wedding planner, to find other avenues for rentals. A few rentals to remember when coordinating build out- outhouses, a dance floor, and a generator for electricity.
THE ESSENTIALS
Despite the style of wedding you are envisioning, there will always be an “essentials” list when it comes to rentals. Here are your most important rentals and some things to consider when booking them.
Tables- Think of all the places you will need tables. Guests will need them in the reception space for dinner, but it is not just limited to that. Consider your welcome table, dessert table, DJ table, and area for gifts and favors. What is the dinner style you are going for? Do you want long tables that encapsulate the “family dinner” style, or are you going to go more traditional with round tables? Also, think about your cocktail hour. High-top tables are popular, as this is a time for guests to mingle and walk around before they sit for dinner.
Chairs- Seating will be necessary for the ceremony and reception. Use chairs to tie in the theme of the wedding. If you are having a religious ceremony consider pews as the seating. Chairs or long benches are also popular for ceremony seating. Chairs can tie in the look of the reception. Consider two special chairs that draw the eye for your sweetheart table!
Dance Floor- We know the party is just getting started when the DJ invites everyone to the dance floor. (One of my personal favorite times of the reception) It is an inviting place for both sides of the family to come together and celebrate. The size of your dance floor will be determined by your guest count. It is typical that half of your guests will be on the dance floor at any given time. Determine the size dance floor needed by taking half go your guest count and multiplying that by 4.5.
Tent- A tent can be used as a proactive measure for outdoor weddings. The bottom line is we cannot control the weather, as much as we wished we could. Think about a tent for rain or excessive heat.
Tablescape Items- Do you have those beautiful tablescapes pinned to your wedding day inspo board? Yes, me too. Think about all of the elements that go into creating the table settings. Most likely, these have elevated linens (more than your venue has to offer), napkins, dinner wear, and chargers. This element plays a big role in how the reception space will look.
YOUR PERSONALITY
Rentals can help bring your personality as a couple into your wedding day. Here are a few fun rental ideas that help! Consider a Photo Booth- there are very cool photo booth rental options that are specially catered for weddings! During the cocktail hour, you can have full-size yard games for guests to play, like Jenga, corn hole, or connect four. These are a big hit with the younger guests that may be attending your wedding. A late-night campfire can be an added feature for your guests to make some s’mores when it gets chilly! Is the dance floor the main event of your reception? Add a disco ball or cool lighting for this to really pop off!
Visit our Pinterest for inspiration and some beautiful tablescapes. Do you have some rental needs but don’t know how to fulfill them? Download our Vendor Magazine for advice and information on our preferred vendors!
