When it comes to your reception, numerous items can be hired to help create your chosen décor and theme. This is an essential service if your venue doesn’t provide tables, chairs, linen etc., and even if they do, you might decide to hire a few extra items to make your room look extra special.
Look out for hire companies in your area to limit delivery charges, and be sure to get their terms and conditions in writing so you know exactly what the service provides. Some companies, for example, will want china and cutlery to be returned clean, while others will take back dirty items as part of the service.
China can make all the difference to a plain table. If, for example, your venue offers plain white dinner plates, consider hiring coloured base plates to add extra interest. You might even decide to go for a contemporary option and hire square or black plates. Coffee cups, bowls, jugs and serving dishes are other items worth thinking about.
Cutlery is obviously an essential and something you’ll definitely need to hire if your venue isn’t providing it. You might also decide you’d like to hire a particular style to fit in with the rest of your table.
Décor and entertainment is easily achieved by hiring extras. For example, you might decide to hire topiary trees to line a pathway, jukeboxes for evening entertainment and a chocolate fountain for the evening.
Glassware is another essential, but something that’s great to hire even if it’s provided by your venue. Consider hiring glamorous cocktail glasses for a cocktail party, elegant wine glasses to make a real impact on your table, or even coloured glassware to bring a wonderful splash of colour to your overall look. Large jugs and bowls are also a great idea, especially if you’re serving cocktails or punch.
Kitchen equipment perhaps isn’t the most exciting thing you can hire, but it can be an essential if your reception is in a marquee or a venue without kitchen facilities. Everything from ovens to fridges can be hired but this is generally something your caterer will take charge of.
Lighting can add a touch of romance to a room. If you don’t want to splash out too much, bear in mind that you can hire lights. Tea-light holders can also often be hired from florists so you’re not left with hundreds after the wedding!
Linen gives a great base to your tables. White tablecloths and napkins are also successful, but you could add a little colour by hiring coloured napkins. The key is to be careful when choosing coloured napkins and tablecloths. If you also have coloured china and glassware, it can all get rather overpowering. If in doubt, tone it down a little and stick to the white tablecloth.
Tables & Chairs sound like the most obvious thing if you’re having a sit down dinner and will be provided by many venues. However, if you need to hire your own, spend some time considering what will work best in your venue. Tables are available in various sizes and shapes, and chairs can have coloured seat pads, or even complete chair covers. Hire companies will be able to advise you on how many people can sit around a table, and it’s best to follow their recommendations - you don’t want your guests to be squashed.
Photo Elizabeth Zeschin
Useful contacts
Host With Style 020 8893 4823, www.hostwithstyle.co.uk
Jones Catering Equipment Hire 020 8320 0600, www.joneshire.co.uk
Jongor www.jongor.co.uk
Rayners 020 8870 6000, www.rayners.co.uk
Spaceworks 0800 854486, www.spaceworks.co.uk
Thorns 020 8801 4444, www.thorns.co.uk
Topiary Hire 0845 230 6008, www.topiaryhire.co.uk
Top Table Hire 01327 260575, www.toptablehire.com
Great Hire 020 7723 2111, www.greathire.co.uk
