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Rent Your Wedding Setting
With rented equipment, you can create the illusion of total extravagance for your wedding, reception and related activities, including rehearsal dinners, showers and parties. And, the setting you create with rented equipment will reflect your personal good taste.
The Services Rental Stores can Provide
Just about every type of special event equipment you can imagine is for rent--gigantic tents, fine serving pieces, party decorations, food service equipment, coolers, roasters and grills, elaborate lighting, tables, chairs, silverware, china, gazebos, linens, candelabra, portable bars, dance floors.... the list goes on and on.
Renting is an economical solution that gives you choices--with tents and accessories, you can have your wedding and reception in your back yard, or the beautiful outdoor location of your choice. You can have beautiful table linens in your wedding colors and the exquisite china of your choice, rather than settling for the standard table settings offered by rented halls. restraurants or country clubs.
Often, party rental stores carry most of the "extras" you'll need, including paper disposables, decorations and even engraved invitations, for convenient one-stop shopping.
What You Should Tell Your Rental Store
Decide on the date, time, location and approximate number of people you will invite. Set your budget and in addition to the type of event you wish to have (a dinner and reception dance, for example), decide what ambiance you wish to create. Should it be informal or formal, simple or elaborate--a buffet versus a catered, sit-down dinner? These choices determine the number of square-feet per person you should plan for and guide the rental center's event planner in helping you choose the right equipment.
If you plan to rent a tent, find out if there are underground sprinklers, wires, cables or sewer easements at the site. When erecting the tent, rental personnel otherwise will assume the location is free of these potential dangers.
Selecting a Rental Firm
The rental company you select may depend on the size and type of wedding or reception you have in mind. Find a firm that has the resources your special day requires. Larger operations, of course, have more diverse inventories and more resources that may be pulled together.
Look for a rental center that is a member of a business or trade association whose member rental businesses set high standards for business practices.
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Ask to see the center's selection of inventory. Are products state-of-the-art or outdated? For example, if you intend to rent audio-visual equipment, can the store supply the best or does the salesperson tell you that what happens to be in stock is what you need? Do you feel the salesperson may be over-promising resources? Do you feel confident the operation is organized? Can it accommodate last-minute changes that can make or break an event? Can it supply you with references?
Terms of the Rental Contract
You have the right to receive the equipment agreed upon in your contract, in good condition, delivered or available on time, and picked up on time.
The rental company has the right to expect you to be responsible for the equipment while it is in your possession, including providing on-site security, when necessary. For example, if you are renting an expensive tent overnight, it's your responsibility to make sure the tent is still there in good condition in the morning.
Make sure you understand the store's rental rates, store hours and policy for returns. Rental equipment is available at daily, weekly or even monthly rates. Generally, the rental store is responsible for equipment maintenance and immediately should replace equipment that breaks down. But when damage occurs because of a customer's negligence or abuse, he or she is responsible for repair or replacement.
Tips for Brides and Wedding Planners
Depending on the time of year your wedding will take place, allow from three to six months lead-time for rental companies. If your wedding is in June, contact the rental center early--at least six months in advance--because June is a very busy month for wedding rentals. You'll want to be sure the equipment you prefer is reserved. If your event is in February, a much more leisurely time for rentals, several months in advance probably is enough time.
To comparison shop, ask several rental centers for their catalogs of pricing information. But remember to factor in your decision the quality of equipment, services offered and list of satisfied customers.
On the most memorable day of your life, you'll want everything to be perfect, including your rented equipment! |
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