Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, so naturally, you want everything to be perfect! From the venue to the decorations and the attire, there are a lot of decisions to be made. One question that often comes up is whether to BUY or RENT certain items for your big day. To help you make the best choices, we have compiled a list of some things to consider when choosing what to buy and what to rent on your wedding day!
NOTE: We will be skipping the obvious items such as buying wedding rings and renting the venue and just mention the items/services that may be more difficult to decide whether to rent or buy!
Photography: Bianca Photography | Venue: Kahala Resort
What to Buy
1. Personalized Decorations
Adding personalized touches to your wedding day can make it even more special. Although there are many wonderful rentable options for decor (which we go into more in the next section) IF the customized item you want is very specific and can’t be found as a rental then it’s a good idea to find the specific one you want and purchase it for your special day! Decor items we typically see purchased by couples at their stationary, signage, and place setting decors that reflect your unique style and wedding theme. These items can later be repurposed as home decor or for other special occasions!
2. Fresh Florals
If fresh florals are an absolute must on your wedding priorities list, then this is something to buy for your special day! Their natural beauty, unique scents, eco-friendliness, and symbolic meanings make them an ideal choice for couples who want to embrace the freshness and natural charm that fresh florals offer. However as fresh florals tend to be fairly expensive, we highly recommend reviewing your budget to ensure that this is something that will fit into your budget rather than make your budget fit to it.
Photography: Embr Photo
3. Items You Would be Able to Use Again
When deciding whether you want to buy or rent an item ask yourself would you be able to use it again? If not, consider renting! If so, consider buying it! Another question to ask yourself is could someone else you know use it OR could this be something that you could sell? For instance, if you’re deciding whether to buy vases for your centerpieces or to rent the items, ask yourself these questions to see if it would be something worth buying! If so you would be able to justify your purchase and even be something that you could get your money back on!
What to Rent
Photography: Mike Pham Photography | Venue: Halekulani Resort
1. Decor/Linen
Renting decor and linens saves you from the hassle of buying and storing items that you may never use again. This means you can have a wider array of options to choose from for your wedding theme without worrying about the cost or clutter. As we mentioned above, though you can purchase customized decor pieces, there are also many options to customize your own rented decor to make it personal to you but also something that you can easily return and not have to worry about storing after your special day! NOTE: *Don’t forget that if you purchase anything, you will need to determine helpers to deliver, set it up, and break it down for you too!!
Photography: Bianca Photography | Rentals: Borrowed Blooms
2. Faux Florals
If you’re looking for an alternative to fresh florals due to the price or to avoid allergies but still want flowers on your special day, consider renting faux florals! These silk alternatives offer several benefits, like durability and no need for immediate attention, making them perfect for a destination wedding or an outdoor event where real flowers may wilt! Faux florals also provide versatile options, as you can choose from an extensive range of blooms that may not be available locally or may be out of season and they are a much more affordable option then fresh florals.
Photography: Bianca Photography | Venue: Kahala Resort
3. Audio and Lighting Equipment
To ensure that your vows and speeches are heard loud and clear, renting quality audio equipment is essential. Specialty lighting can also enhance the ambiance of your wedding venue, highlighting the romantic and celebratory atmosphere. Renting this equipment will save you from having to purchase expensive technology that you might not use frequently. As many hotel venues and DJs/Bands include audio and equipment lighting in their packages, consider looking for these items when choosing your venue or entertainment vendor!
At the end of the day every wedding is different, and your preferences and budget will determine whether buying or renting is the best option. By considering this guide, you can make informed decisions that will make your wedding day even more memorable. Happy planning! :-)
XOXOXO
(A Perfect Day)
A Perfect Day Hawaii, Wedding Planner, Hawaii Wedding Planner, Hawaii Weddings www.APerfectDayHawaii.com