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Setting the Stage: Wedding Rentals
Party-rental suppliers on the Outer Banks offer all the essential accoutrements you need for a fabulous-looking wedding ceremony or reception. Whether you need to set up an entire location outdoors or you just need simple linens and accessories to dress up an indoor site, you’ll be surprised at what’s available for rent these days.
Tents Tents are essential for outdoor weddings. They not only provide protection from the elements, but also they neatly define an outdoor wedding space. Frame tents can be set up anywhere, from docks to lawns to pool sides to the beach. The options are astounding. Clear-topped tents allow natural light and a view of the sky. Side panels made of mesh prevent mosquitoes while still allowing for the natural breezes. Thicker side panels with cathedral and French-style windows make for a stunning setting. You can also rent fancy linings, drapes and columns to camouflage tent poles and stakes and define entranceways and windows so that you almost forget you’re in a makeshift room.
Tables and Chairs You can create any mood with the variety of tables and chairs available. Tables range from large, round dinner tables for a sit-down dinner to snazzy cocktail tables for guests to stand around during cocktail hour. For the elegant wedding, you’ll find white or gold chairs, but there are also wooden chairs and bistro chairs for a more casual feel. Padded chairs are available, and for a beach wedding, you can even rent colorful, classic wooden beach chairs. If you go that route, don’t forget fun umbrellas in contrasting colors.
Linens Of course, linens are available in a variety of white and off-white hues, but linens go way beyond white. You’ll find everything from iridescent satin crush to celadon damask to animal prints. Go for the elegance of all white, or accent the setting with splashes of color in the napkins, tablecloths and skirting if you’d like.
Dinnerware and Serving Pieces For an elegant wedding you might rent all white china. But then again, you might select the cream-colored, gold-trimmed china with gold chargers. Fun-lovers might opt for the odd-shaped bistro-style plates, available in white or black. Several styles of silver, crystal and glassware are available to choose from, for everything from the bar to the table. For food service, if your caterer doesn’t already supply these items, you can rent silver serving pieces, washtubs for beers and wine, coffee makers, cake stands, fondue sets, chocolate fountains, frozen drink machines, grills, pig cookers and just about anything else you could possibly need.
Stages and Flooring An outdoor wedding requires that you define the spaces, and with rental equipment you can set up things exactly like you want them. You can rent an entire stage for the band and set up a dance floor. Checkered, parquet or plain white dance floors will suit the mood of any party, and the floors can be arranged to accommodate tent poles and other obstructions. You can also rent Astroturf, carpet flooring or a runner for your aisle.
Lighting and Sound If you’re planning a reception that will carry on after sunset, you have to think about lighting. You can rent tiki torches, wrought-iron candle stakes, globe lights, candelabras, chandeliers, lights for the band, dramatic up-lighting and string lights. You can also rent entire PA systems for your band, DJ or master of ceremonies. One local company now has something called the DJ in a Box, which is stocked with 8,000 songs. You can pre-program your play list or just play the standard wedding-favorites mix.
Comforts No matter what time of year you get married, you don’t have to worry about people sweating or freezing at your outdoor reception. Fans, air-conditioners and heaters are available for sided tents. Portable bathrooms are available in a tasteful white, so you don’t have to rent those big yellow boxes anymore.
Ceremony Accessories Outdoor wedding ceremonies need a focal point, a place to draw the guests’ attention. Columns, gazebos, arches, altars, kneeling benches, carpet runners and even plants and palm trees can be rented and set up however you like.
You should have no trouble creating the setting you want with the rental equipment that is available. Just keep these few tips in mind when considering rentals.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to reserve what you need. Reserve equipment at least three to six months before the event, sooner if you know what you want.
• If you’re on a budget, consider the costs of renting first. Rental companies list their prices on their websites, so you can tally up the cost of all your rental needs and compare it to the cost of an indoor event facility, which will most likely have everything you need on hand. Which is most cost effective?
• Ask about delivery, pick up and set up charges. Delivery may not include set up of things like tables and chairs. Also be sure that you know the return policy. Does the company pick up items on Sunday? Do you need to arrange for someone in your party to return the items after the event? Is it less expensive if you pick up and return the items yourself?
• Talk with your caterer to be sure that you do not rent items that your caterer already has. If the rental company does not do set-up, will the caterer handle that?
• Before the wedding, look at the products you’re renting, either online or in the store, so you’ll know what you’re getting.
• Ask about the possibility of making last-minute changes to your order, such as more or fewer chairs, or a bigger tent.
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