I know, from my experience working in this particular area of the wedding industry, that at any given time during her planning, a bride has approximately one or two million details running through her head.
“Inside or outside?”
“Chicken or fish?”
“You want to invite WHO?”
“Do I have time to handcraft 200 miniature sailboat favours out of toothpicks?”
“So…what you’re saying is you don’t carry this exact shade of sea foam green that I spent three weeks not sleeping over?”
Vegas sounds good, right?
Before you lose a fistful of hair, breathe, and picture the face of the person you’re doing this for (or don’t, whatever works better:)). To help, I’m supplying a list of questions that might be important to know when you come in to book your rentals. Very often we have a bride or groom come into the store with no idea how big the tables at the hall are, or whether or not the park will allow a tent to be staked. These details can hold up the booking process and just add to your to-do list, which is something we’re working on shortening! Obviously, there will be many, many more questions to be asked and answered once the particulars become known, so this is just a start to get you thinking in the right direction.
If you’re renting a tent for the…
Ceremony
-Is the ceremony being held at the same location as the reception?
-Is the ceremony being held at a private venue (private residence, golf club, hotel, winery, etc.) or at a public venue (city or regional park, beach, etc.)?
-Do you have the venue booked for the entire day, or have you been allotted a specific amount of time in which you can use the venue? (This is often the case with public venues, as many people will use it in one day.)
-What kind of surface will the tent be going on to? Are we able to stake into that surface?
-How big is the area where the tent will be going?
-What else will be going under the tent besides chairs for the guests? (These items might include an archway, signing table, and other décor items.)
-When can the tent be set-up and when can it be taken down?
-When is your ceremony scheduled for?
-Will you need (or want!) any of the following tent accessories?
Walls
Leg drapes
Ceiling liner
Lighting
Heating
Cooling
Flooring
Safety package (self-lit exit sign, emergency light, fire extinguisher)
Reception
-Is the reception being held at the same location as the ceremony?
-Is the reception being held at a private venue (private residence, golf club, hotel, winery, etc.) or at a public venue (city or regional park, beach, etc.)?
-Do you have the venue booked for the entire day?
-What kind of surface will the tent be going on to? Are we able to stake into that surface?
-How big is the area where the tent will be going?
-What will be going under the tent?
Tables and chairs for guests
Head table
Buffet tables
Gift table
DJ / MC table
Guest book table
Cake table
Dance floor
Bar / lounge area
Other
-Is your caterer supplying any of the following?
Tableware
Plateware
Flatware
Glassware
Tablecloths
Napkins
Banquet items
Chafing dishes
Coffee urns
Serving bowls
Serving utensils
Salt and pepper shakers
Cream and sugar bowls
Bar equipment
-When can the tent be set-up and when can it be taken down?
-When is your reception scheduled to start?
-Will you need (or want!) any of the following tent accessories?
Walls
Leg drapes
Ceiling liner
Lighting
Heating
Cooling
Flooring
Safety package (self-lit exit sign, emergency light, fire extinguisher)
-Will you need portable washrooms?
-Is there power accessible or will you require a generator?
If you’re not renting a tent…
Ceremony
-Does your venue supply chairs?
-Is the ceremony being held at a private venue (private residence, golf club, hotel, winery, etc.) or at a public venue (city or regional park, beach, etc.)?
-Do you have the venue booked for the entire day, or have you been allotted a specific amount of time in which you can use the venue? (This is often the case with public venues, as many people will use it in one day.)
-If you’re considering having chairs delivered, when do they need to be there and when can they be taken out?
-When is your ceremony scheduled for?
-Do you require chair set-up and / or take-down?
-Do you require:
Archway
Aisle runner
Floral stands
Reception
-Is the reception being held at a private venue (private residence, golf club, hotel, winery, etc.) or at a public venue (city or regional park, beach, etc.)?
-Do you have the venue booked for the entire day?
-Is your venue / caterer supplying any of the following?
Tables
Chairs
Bar
Tableware
Plateware
Flatware
Glassware
Tablecloths
Napkins
Banquet items
Chafing dishes
Coffee urns
Serving bowls
Serving utensils
Salt and pepper shakers
Cream and sugar bowls
Bar equipment
-How big are the tables that are being supplied? (length, width and height)
-How are the chairs? Do they have arms? Will you be covering them?
-What kind of decor items will you need? It’s helpful to have the measurements of the room handy. Are you allowed to put things on the walls and ceiling, or remove any existing decor?
-If you’re having dancing, will you need a dance floor?
-Does your venue allow candles?
-If you’re having your rentals delivered, when can they be dropped off and when do they have to be picked up?
-When is your reception scheduled to start?If you don’t have all these answers, don’t worry! We’re here to help, and we can go as quickly or as slowly as needed. I hope this provides a little help and we look forward to seeing you in the shop!