Buying vs renting

We chose to buy just about everything. We are in a rural area so there aren’t many rental options. Catering is providing disposable table wear but we purchased all our glassware ourselves. Our venue is providing tables and chairs. We purchased Mason jars with handles, champagne flutes, drink dispensers, Head table skirt, and tablecloths. We also made our own centerpieces, arbor with drapery, cheesecloth table runners, And backdrop drapery. I purchased a lot of things such as our tablecloths off of Webstaurantstore.com and got them for the same price I would have paid to rent them. With sales and everything I was able to get most stuff cheaper by just purchasing them.

Initially we had to rent a speaker system cause the venue didn’t have one. So I was looking at renting speaker systems and mics, etc but then I found out it only cost me a little bit more just to get a dj who comes with all that and more! So sometimes it definitely isn’t always better to diy

We rented everything. I didn’t want to deal with storing stuff or attempting to sell things. I also didn’t want to have to steam tablecloths or napkins. It was nice just getting to pick that stuff out and letting others handle it on the day of.

Our venue supplies all of it, signage, card holders, flower girl basket, even the pillow for the ring bearer, etc. I didn’t want to worry about supplying anything. Our venue has an all inclusive package that we opted for.

My DOC is offering to rent the table runners, lanterns, and candles. While I can probably save a few bucks shopping around myself I really don’t like clutter and would hate to store the decor. I’m leaning towards renting from her.

We rented everything, and actually, we had no choice in the matter. Our venue stipulated that we had to choose between 4 approved caterers, and each of these caterers worked with specific rental companies for the linens, etc. But even if we had a choice, we still would have rented. No room to store a ton of tablecloths in our tiny one bedroom apartment!

We tried to buy things, but then either couldn't find what we wanted, or couldn't find sellers who would sell to us (I offered to pay for postage for something, because we don't have a car and couldn't get to the seller... and she wouldn't do it. No idea why.).

Mostly we ended up just going to craft stores or skipping whatever it was we had been thinking about.

But linens and things were included with our venue, so that helped a lot.

I bought vases and bottles versus renting them because our florist would have actually charged more than what it cost to buy. I don’t know what I’ll do with everything after the fact besides try to sell or donate them all. As you said, if you’re not akin to hosting big parties, what do you do? Lol

We are buying linens, cutlery, and all decor with the intent of selling it afterwards.

Bought tablecloths secondhand for $5 each - they retail for $10 and rent for I think $8. Bought napkins for what worked out to 28 cents each - they retail for around $1 and rent for 50 cents. I plan to sell both of these for a slight profit. Cutlery should come to a couple hundred dollars, purchased new - plan to sell those at a slight loss or break even.

What people often don't realize is that if you can buy something secondhand for the same price it costs to rent, even if you sell it for half of what you paid, you essentially "rented" the item at half price. It takes effort and space, but I don't mind.

We're renting tables, chairs, AV equipment, and string lights (if we have them).

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That sounds like a great idea. I can get linen fairly cheap but I am thinking about the cost rises with pressing. Did you need to press or steam your linen?

It honestly depends on you AND your family. We usually purchase linens cause they’ll likely be reused again. When I had my baby shower we purchased white chair covers & table cloths. They were used again for my sister baby shower and will be used again for my wedding. We just wash & dry them then a week before we need them we steam out any wrinkles. We always use heavy duty disposable dishes cause none of us have a dishwasher and who’s washing allllll of those dishes by hand. We purchased charger plates for my baby shower & my sister reused they for her. I’ll be purchasing chargers again for my wedding in a different color. My sister purchased her center pieces for her baby shower & gave them to grandparents/aunts/uncles as a keepsake. They were flower planter boxes with my nieces name and the date of her shower. I will be purchasing or making my centerpieces because I’m the type who would put it out on my kitchen table if I’m hosting a dinner so it wouldn’t just be collecting dust. If your next fancy party is likely to be your child’s high school graduation it wouldn’t make sense to purchase it.

View Quoted Comment You can buy a steamer for about $30 at Walmart or Burlington then steam it yourself