4 Questions to Help You Rent the Correct Wedding Dishware

The tables at a wedding reception provide both a decorative and a functional element. They can also add up to a significant portion of the wedding budget. You may have to rent tables, chairs, linens, dishes, glasses, flatware, serving dishes, and utensils. Then, you'll likely need to add the cost of centerpieces as well.

With all these moving parts, how can you stick to your budget, choose the right amount of dishware, and have tables that match your wedding style? Answer these four questions before renting dinner supplies.

Obviously, you need to have a good idea of how many guests and bridal party members you need to feed. Plated dinners are the easiest to account for, since each diner will receive one plate for each course served. You should add some extra rentals for potential breakage, unexpected guests, and special requests.

Buffet-style dinners are harder to judge, since people who go back for another serving often don't use the same plate or bowl twice. If you will have a self-service meal, work with your caterer and an experienced rental company to determine how many extra items you should have on hand.

The amount of help you have during the big day also changes your dishware needs. If you have catering staff or friends who can wash dinner glasses and place them out for reuse during the dancing, you need to rent fewer overall.

The second biggest factor for dish, glass, and flatware rentals is what food and beverages will be served. The more courses you have, the more plates you need. If you serve a large cake, you'll need plenty of cake plates - whereas if you have cupcakes, you probably need fewer plates on which to serve dessert.

Some of the main determining factors for extra dishware needs include whether you will operate your own bar (and what types of drinks it will serve), if you have multiple courses like soups or spreads, and what the length of time is that people will spend dancing and conversing.

The amount of rented items is affected by whether you have backup plans for dishes and flatware. Backup plans generally include paper or plastic cups as well as disposable plates, bowls, and silverware. While these are not ideal for a wedding, you can use them strategically to save some money.

For instance, if you want to spend more of your rental budget on a grander table setting, consider using plastic forks when serving the cake later on. Or, if the dance party will last for several hours, you could bring out plastic cups later in the evening when guests get thirsty. This way, you need to rent fewer glasses and teacups for the whole event.

What type of reception style do you want? For some couples, the wedding dinner is the most formal meal they will ever host, and they want to go all out. Formal place settings often include multiple dishes, glasses, and silverware. You may want to rent everything from charger plates - upon which other plates and bowls sit - to specialty bread knifes or soup and dessert spoons.

If your budget is tighter or your wedding more casual, you may choose a more basic place setting with fewer unique rental items. And you can often choose simpler rental items as well. More basic glasses - without gold rims or such embellishments - cost less than more impressive dishes, for example.

Start your supply rental planning by meeting with professionals in the rental field. Their expertise and prior experience will be invaluable to ensure you have enough of everything without overspending. At L & L Tent and Party Rentals, we offer the dishware, serving items, and flatware you need to satisfy all your guests and make your wedding as special as you are. Call today to learn more.