Wedding Decor Rentals: Tips & Where to Find Them

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Wedding day rentals provide all the top-tier wedding gear you really want at a fraction of the price. For certain day-of necessities, this is the obvious choice. Think lighting, linens, and even certain decor elements like candlesticks. That said, let’s talk about a few things we think you should definitely rent for your special day.

What do people normally rent for their wedding?

Photo Credit // Rae Marshall Photography

1. Outdoor Tent

Purchasing a wedding tent can be upwards of $4,000—and, remember that’s not including catering, entertainment, lighting, etc. A great option instead is to rent a tent big enough for your big day. Many tents that accommodate a hundred or so people cost between $500 to $1,500 to rent for the day. Renting a wedding tent can also be a great back-up plan for an outdoor wedding. If it rains, you’ll want to have a plan B, and a wedding tent is just that.

2. Tables and Chairs

The typical wedding chair rental will cost you somewhere between $2-$10 per chair, depending on the material and type of chair. If you’re looking to go the standard ballroom route, with a padded back and cushion included, you can expect to pay about $8 per chair.

Before signing the dotted line, ask to see the inventory so you know what to expect. This not only ensures that the chairs and tables are in good condition but also assures you that the company is organized and well-stocked.

3. Linens

Next to tables and chairs, linens (napkins, table cloths) are one of the most common things to rent for your big day. Often, your venue or catering company will provide you with the option to rent linens from them. If not, you may have to seek an outside company.

When selecting linens, you want to consider your theme, color scheme, and overall aesthetic. The first choice you’ll likely make is fabric—and you can expect the cost of the rental to vary based on what you choose. Satin, for example, is a popular and inexpensive fabric choice for your wedding-day linens, costing between $35-$45 on average. Damask and Brocade patterns tend to be heavier and more costly, running from between $40-$100. Other styles of linen include organza, taffeta, velvet, cotton, and polyester. Most linen vendors have a booklet of samples so that you can browse through each of their offerings and choose the one best suited for your wedding day and budget.

4. Dance Floor

While your wedding guests can pretty much dance on any surface, most brides and grooms opt to rent an actual oak plank- or wood parquet-clad floor that’s designed specifically for entertaining large crowds. Most wedding venues have a dedicated dance floor, but not all. Also, tent rentals usually don’t come with a dance floor, so you’ll have to rent one under these circumstances. Your venue may actually require a dance floor rental if it’s an older space in order to preserve the existing floors.

You can expect to pay per section of the dance floor, so the cost will vary depending on the size. If you’re looking to rent a dance floor big enough for a party of 100 guests, a wood parquet dance floor generally costs between $200 and $300 to rent. An oak plank dance floor is a bit more expensive, costing between $300-$350. Vinyl is another option. When negotiating, be sure to discuss all the details with the company—delivery, installation, breakdown, pickup, etc.

Photo Credit // Shira Marie Photography

5. Lighting

Uplighting is the most common type of lighting to rent for your wedding day. You can choose colors that match your wedding theme and even opt to have strobe-like designs. The standard cost for uplighting is about $100-$200, depending on the amount you need based on the size of your wedding. Many times your entertainment vendor (DJ or band) will sell an uplighting package, which is worth looking into.

6. Restrooms

There are individual porta-cabins that are similar, but a step up in terms of quality and experience. (They’re more spacious and have sinks, for example.) These tend to cost about $200-$400 per unit for a one-day rental. You can also opt to rent a trailer that contains multiple restrooms. If you go this route, you’ll want to rent more than one, depending on the size of your wedding. We recommend allocating 5-7 stalls per 100 guests. These trailer restrooms tend to have the works—running water, lighting, climate control, mirrors, and enough space for more than one person to be in the unit at the same time. These, of course, are pricier, ranging anywhere between $2,500 to $15,000 per unit.

7. Other Accessories

Depending on what your venue provides (or doesn’t), you may want to consider renting additional wedding-day garb such as barware, serving platters, and upgraded decor. Sit down with each and every vendor to go over exactly what they provide and what they recommend you rent in addition to their services.

Where to Find Wedding Decor Rental Options

With your need-to-knows in mind you can refocus your sights on where to find rentals. For your convenience, Zola has a vendor catalogue for just this. Easily navigate and find event rentals and party rentals—from glassware, to photo booths, to tabletop centerpieces, to draping—with just a few clicks. From the San Francisco Bay Area, to Northern California, to the East Coast and everywhere in-between, narrow down by location for nearby rental items. It really is that easy.

Conclusion

Wedding planning can be overwhelming, but for many things, renting is a no-brainer. Not only are you able to book everything you need, but you’ll also be saving when it comes to your wedding budget. Rental items are convenient and can add some eye-catching flair to your wedding day,