Wedding Hive Podcast
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Wedding Hive Podcast
051 -Wedding Rentals Made Simple
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We break down what wedding rentals really are, why they matter, and how to use them to build a wedding that looks intentional and runs smoothly. Chloe from Event Rents shares the real-world rental mistakes she sees most, plus what she learned planning her own rainy outdoor Airbnb wedding. '
• lounge sets as a design upgrade and a budget debate
• what counts as wedding rentals from tents to tabletop
• last-minute rental emergencies and why rain tents book fast
• how vendor experience changes the bride mindset
• designing a cohesive look by building around linens
• how to handle indecision and outside opinions
• common rental mistakes and the value of locking items in early
• ideal booking timelines and which items go first
• making big visual impact by prioritizing large elements
• repurposing rentals with flips from ceremony to reception
• venue and hotel questions to ask including DSS timing
• underrated upgrades like specialty napkins and colored glassware
You can check them out at eventrents.com or on Instagram for the one here in Phoenix.
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Welcome And Meet Chloe
SPEAKER_00Hey Queens, welcome to today's episode of the Wedding Hive podcast. Today we have Chloe with us from Event Rents. Thank you, Chloe, for being here. Excited to be here. We are so excited for you to be here because we want to talk all things rentals. This is an area that we I think have kind of touched on on the podcast, but we've never really dived into it. So we met you last uh summer, late summer. I want to say it was August, September-ish. And so we're excited to finally have you on. Yay! Um, Grace, you want to start us off with a yes or no?
SPEAKER_06Yes or no. So we always like to ask her guys um for lounge sets. No weddings.
SPEAKER_03Immediate yes. Yeah. Like that is such a good way to elevate your space.
SPEAKER_07Okay.
SPEAKER_03Um, yes. Yes. All the weddings. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00I love lounge sets.
SPEAKER_03I think it's a hundred percent yes.
SPEAKER_00I see them getting used. And if it usually I notice from at the beginning of the day, it's um usually like parents, grandparents, family members. And then at the end of the night, I have seen intoxicated people just need a stage place or lay down. They're like totally yes. Grace, I know how you feel about lounge sets. You want to tell the listeners how you feel about lounge sets?
SPEAKER_06Certified hater to lounge sets. Really? I don't know what it is. I have seen some really cute ones that I'm like, okay, I vibe with that. But I just I feel like when I've seen them, they do get used, but not as much as I feel like I personally would want to spend money on them. Yeah. But that's just my personal opinion.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_06I think they're cute, but like it's a no for me.
SPEAKER_00Okay. So I think they just elevate the hot take. No lounge does for me. Yeah. I think they elevate the space. Yeah, it can be done beautifully. Incorporate in your vision and mood board. Totally. It just is like this is the scene that we're trying to set. And so we're pulling it out through the lounge set.
SPEAKER_03But yeah, I I think it's like the next step in your design. Like again, it just kind of closes the circle. Yeah. That's true. Um, and it's just like a comfort piece. Like people can just kind of scatter around and hang out on the sofa. Yeah. So yeah.
SPEAKER_00I think it's an inviting space. Yeah. Yes. It's okay. We can agree. We agree to disagree. We agreed to disagree.
SPEAKER_03No, I think we need the difference in opinion. Yeah, exactly.
SPEAKER_00So um, I get this question all the time. And so I'm very excited to ask you as the professional. The burning question. What are rentals? Oh my god. How do you define wedding rentals?
SPEAKER_03So wedding rentals would be the same as like corporate anything. It's it's everything that we offer. So tenting, tables, chairs, linens, um, anything, flatware, uh, china, uh, heaters, um, lighting, any anything that you're needing to rent to enhance your event. So sometimes you go to a venue or a hotel space and they don't have anything. So you're having to bring in everything. Um and then sometimes it's just again that enhancement. You know, you're wanting that design, you're wanting to add on maybe the venue. The hotel has tables and chairs and your basic poly linens, but you're wanting to enhance, you're wanting to, you know, go one step further. So yeah. Perfect dancing.
SPEAKER_06We went to your guys' warehouse last, and we will be there tomorrow.
SPEAKER_03It was so fun having to be.
SPEAKER_06We're gonna make a little vlog and we're gonna come and talk with you. And the space is just insane. It's I can't wait.
SPEAKER_00I'm excited to go back.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, like it's just it's I didn't do much rentals for my own wedding, and then when I went there, I was like, oh my god, like there's there's so many options, which is great.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_06So I'm excited to go back.
Chloe’s Path Into Rentals
SPEAKER_00Yes, me too.
SPEAKER_06Okay, so since you work at event rents, can you kind of tell us a little bit about your role and how did you get into the rental world?
SPEAKER_03Yeah, so I started in hospitality. I'm from Hawaii, from Maui. That's right. So yeah. Um, I obviously like growing up on an island, everyone works at a hotel for the most part. So kind of fell into working at the Four Seasons and was there for eight and a half years. And then I just reached a point where I was like, I want something different. And I still loved the hospitality side, the service side being and working with clients and face-to-face. So I one day was just job searching and I saw this post um for event rents, and it was like a sales position working for event rents. And I was like, oh, I love that. That sounds amazing. Um, and so I applied and got the job, and the rest is history. I've been there for the last, well, since 2021. So what is that five years? Yeah, I can't believe it's been that long. Um and I love it. So my role is we're outside sales, so it's working with the clients direct, on site, making sure our events go smoothly, um, gathering any feedback from clients, anything that they're needing from us. Um, and then yeah, just making sure that the event goes the absolute best.
SPEAKER_06Oh, I love that. Yeah. How was the transition from going from hotel like hospitality to this, which is, you know, it's in the same like spectrum, but was it family? But yeah, was it different or yeah, it's definitely different.
SPEAKER_03Like I would say there's, I mean, no event is the same, right? Like true, even though I work a lot with corporate clients, where sometimes it is, for instance, repeat. Um it's I'm always learning something, you know. So whether it's like working close with our tending side of the team, um, just seeing larger events or different themes, different design, like there's just nothing is ever the same. And so um it was an easy transition in the sense of like bringing my hospitality experience and service side of things to this industry, but then so different just entering like all things rentals. Yeah, you know, for sure. Yeah.
unknownI love that.
Last-Minute Needs And Rain Tents
SPEAKER_00That's awesome. Um, what are the most common rental items that couples don't realize they need until the last minute? Do you ever get those frantic phone calls of the 911?
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Um, I mean, it varies from event to event and just depends on the location too, right? Like hotels, sometimes they're last-minute calling, they forgot to order heaters, or maybe they ordered from another vendor. And I've heard, you know, unfortunately, the vendor calls them the night before and says, sorry, we don't have your items. Or I mean, yeah, everything has happened under the sun. So um, it can vary. There's just so many things tenting, obviously, with rain, right? That's probably the most common last minute request that we're getting.
SPEAKER_06Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Um, which I was a bride with a rain scare. So now I get it being on the other side of that. And yeah, I mean, you're watching the weather religiously and it's totally out of your control. And you're seeing it's a hundred percent gonna rain the entire day. And, you know, if everything you had planned was outside, you're now thinking about a tent and you know, essentially redesigning your whole wedding and your whole plan. Um, so yeah, I mean, it just it it can be anything. Yeah, but that's probably the most common tenting for rain.
SPEAKER_00I believe it. Yeah. Did you get married the was it the third week of November? The 15th of November. I know. You remember I remember that.
SPEAKER_06I remember that's my birthday weekend, and I remember we were gonna go out that night, and I was like, oof, I don't know if we can because the weather outside.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, on Monday, I'll never forget because our wedding was on Saturday. Yeah, and it just I was watching it every single day. It said 100% all day. Like that one. And I mean, it's truly out of your control. What are you gonna do? And I was getting married in Airbnb, yeah. So I didn't have a backup space. Like when you're getting married at a hotel, at least you have a ballroom. Yeah, or getting married at a venue. Hopefully, they have a backup, they should have some sort of indoors. Right. Yeah. And we just didn't even, it was like we're gonna be married at the kitchen dining table. And when you hire, you know, an incredible photographer, yeah. Of course, I had everything from event rents, like the most beautiful rentals. I was grieving what my day was gonna look like. Like I was absolutely heartbroken. So I understand it now when brides call and they're in tears and just completely distraught. It's yeah, I mean, you are it's an element of grief of like, wow, this whole design, this whole everything I've planned is now up in the air and in question. Yeah. And I have to rethink everything at the last second.
SPEAKER_06Yeah.
SPEAKER_03So luckily it all worked out. I know we'll get to that. But yeah, um, yeah.
SPEAKER_06Do you ever, speaking of that, I feel like we've talked about it before, when couples come to you and they're like, we're getting married at so-and-so, has that like shifted your perspective of like maybe you shouldn't have X amount of rentals? Because if it does rain, like we've seen at the venue, like someone who not overly buys rentals, but has a lot of elements, but then it rained. So then it's like you can't even use any of these things anymore. You have to like move them. Do you have like an opinion on that now? Going through what you did.
SPEAKER_03You mean like private residence?
SPEAKER_06No, I'm saying like rentals. Like, if a couple's like, hey, we want, you know, we're having an outdoor venue, you know, we want 20 rentals, and you're like, uh, maybe do you have a tent that's gonna come if it rains? How do you feel about that?
SPEAKER_03Um, I think it all depends on the client, first of all, knowing your client. So, like hotels, which I primarily work a lot with, and then DMCs, they have already thought about like their backup rain plan, right? So they know if they need a tent, they'll reach out to us as far as like, okay, hey, this is we're we're anticipating there could be rain. We don't really have an inside space as a backup option. We've already talked to the hotel or the venue or what have you. Um, it's more so if I'm working with like a one-off bride than this is like obviously their first time ever planning an event. Maybe they have a planner, but their planner is a day of, or you know, they're just new to the process and it's about asking those questions, you know, and saying, like, have you talked to the venue about a backup plan? And, you know, everything is outside. Um, and of course, it depends on the season too, right? So summer, we usually don't have that worry, but um yeah, just just kind of knowing based on season and then the client and just asking the right questions for sure, making sure that they're, you know, pre-planning at least as much as they can, just starting to think about that. Because again, back to myself being a bride, like to be honest, I think I was oblivious and just kind of like, it's not gonna rain, like all goodbye, you know. And sure enough, um I was in that situation. And you know, tents can be expensive. It's an added cost. It's an added cost that you didn't anticipate on top of your design, on top of everything you've already accounted for and budgeted out, right? So it's like another thing that me and my husband had to think about like, okay, are we gonna, you know, think about this as an option, which obviously we had to. For sure. Um, and luckily we didn't end up needing a tent. But um, yeah, it's there's just so many things that go into it. But I think just starting the planning process and like starting to just have those conversations and think about that is like number one because you know priority. Start out with like all the variables and then kind of narrow it down to like, okay, we're gonna focus on what we can control. But if if it does rain or if there's something outside of our control, we know it's taken care of. We have a plan. Yeah, you know?
SPEAKER_00So yeah, we have it. Um we have contingency plans for weather, but during monsoon season, I highly, highly advise couples to get the rain tent to you know, put the deposit down on it, lock it in. Because if you're going to scramble for a rain tent the week of your wedding, you are going to end up in a mental just fragile. And they're so hard to get because all the events want it.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, everyone is calling, everyone is booking. Yeah, for sure. The hot item everybody wants.
SPEAKER_06I think too, a good thing you brought up. Obviously, we've talked about it before too, but having a like buffer budget of like extra money for things come up like that, because you know, at the end of the day, no one wants to last minute be like, oh, we have to pocket out two grand for a tent, or you know, whatever the cost is, wherever you find it. So, like having also that backup plan of just like just in case money. Just in case, totally.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. So it'll give you peace. And then you it's just partying. It's your fun money at the end if you didn't use it. Exactly.
SPEAKER_06Take it to your honeymoon, your home or whatever.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, exactly. 100%.
SPEAKER_06Yeah.
SPEAKER_00I always laugh and say if you put a deposit on a rain tent, the weather will be like, nah, she's prepared.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, it's like if you wash your car and then it's gonna rain the remote.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, that's reverse psychology of the weather.
Rentals That Elevate Design
SPEAKER_06Yes, exactly. That's so funny. I think you're I'm like, we got a little tangent. So I was like, um, okay, what's one rental piece that you think instantly elevates a wedding design?
SPEAKER_03I mean, lounge.
SPEAKER_06Okay.
SPEAKER_03For sure. I just like that's which we just started carrying at event rents in within the like last two years. Okay. So I'm just so excited that we have that now because that was a missing piece for us. Yeah, for sure. Um, people would come to us and be like, we can get everything except lounge. And um, now we have that. And it's our stuff is beautiful, our stuff is such high quality. Yes, I remember that. Like that, I think makes a difference. Um and yeah, it's just beautiful. It just again, it just closes the circle to your design ideas. For sure.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_03So yeah.
SPEAKER_00Well, and I love that you listen to clients' feedback.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00You saw this as a need. Oh, we want to bring in the need.
SPEAKER_03Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_06You're like in the meetings, you're like, we need it now.
SPEAKER_03Event rents, we are so good at that. Like, that's why that's one of my jobs is to go out and meet with clients and get feedback from clients and ask, what are we missing? And then we take that and we listen and we, you know, go back to the drawing board and we think about okay, how can we incorporate this into our inventory? Because it matters, you know. We want to be ideally that one-stop shop that has everything you need, you know. So, and I know that the end client wants that too. They don't want to be working with 20 different vendors, 20 different vendors and paying DSS for a million different people. Yeah. Yeah.
Vendor Brain As A Bride
SPEAKER_00So let's talk about your wedding. So let's talk about it. Congrats. You have graduated from um engaged to married.
SPEAKER_03Yes.
SPEAKER_00So, um, what was it like going from vendor to client?
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Um, it was an interesting process. I will say the lines were very blurred. Um, it's it's hard to go from being a vendor who, I mean, we have connections with everyone, right? We're working with DJs, um, musicians, we're working with venues, hotels, florists, planners, like every single person, every single client essentially is a connection to us. So when I got married and I was the bride on the other side, obviously I'm reaching out to all of my connections, all my people that I love. I'm like, hey, it's my turn. It's my turn. I'm getting married. So I think that yeah, it's it's a fine line between like obviously you want to be a bride and you want to enjoy that day and like not have to work per se, but I think that it's ingrained in us. We're always watching for the details. Like, even on the day of, I think back to I was in the Airbnb getting my hair and makeup done, and I was looking outside the window at our guys setting up everything and being like, oh my God, okay, everything looks good so far, but like I'm waiting, you know, I'm watching. So I think it's um yeah, and and that's okay. You know, it's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just um when you when you go from being a vendor to a bride, it's just hard to just be a bride. I think you're again, it's everyone I knew that was there that was setting up. And it was just like, hi, I'm you know, so good to see you. Thank you so much for helping me. And um so yeah, it's the lines were blurred, but but it was good. Yeah, it was so good.
Airbnb Wedding Logistics And Weather
SPEAKER_00What was so you got married at an Airbnb? I did. I love that. Um, what was your guest count?
SPEAKER_03We ended at fifth, I think 56 or 58. So just shy of 60.
SPEAKER_00Okay.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
SPEAKER_00And if I remember right from photos, you were it was like a huge backyard, right? Yeah. And so you were able to have like ceremony space, and so did everything end up being outside?
SPEAKER_03So everything was outside. Um, it's a huge mansion, and we did ceremony at the back part of the house by the pool. Okay. There's like two turf lawns. So we broke it up, and then there was actually ironically like an aisle perfect for me to walk down. Yeah. And then the front of the house was where reception was, and so everything was outside, and it did rain.
SPEAKER_07Okay.
SPEAKER_03Um, but it didn't rain until the DJ opened up the dance floor. So at that point, I was like, You're like, it's time to party.
SPEAKER_06Who cares anyway? Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. We all just went into the house and the DJ moved his stuff in. The bartender went like on the under the awning by the pool, and it was perfect. Yeah. You know, like we just kind of made it work. Again, it was a huge house, so there was plenty of space for everyone. Like Shyon's space. This house was made for events. Um, so it actually worked out perfect. Okay. Yeah. Yeah.
SPEAKER_07I'm glad to hear that.
SPEAKER_03And I just wanted to get through ceremony. I think that's and get my, you know, walking down the aisle moment, the photos and formal speeches and dances. Like, honestly, the timing was couldn't have been better. Yeah. Yeah. And then they say rain's good luck. Yeah. That's true.
SPEAKER_06You're like, all right.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, it'll be like it's perfect. Yeah.
SPEAKER_06Oh, long way. That's so cool. Yeah. Working out because it's sounds stressful. Can I ask one more question? Yes, please.
SPEAKER_00So, as an outdoor venue in our county, most outdoor events have to be quiet as of like 10 p.m. Yeah. You know, regular noise ordinance. Um, was that how it was at the Airbnb? Or did they the neighbors care?
SPEAKER_03This house, actually. So I was working obviously with the owner, and I told him, I said, hey, we're having a wedding, um, looking at like between 50 and 60 people. Um, and of course, coming from a vendor, like I know about you know, noise ordinance. And so that was one of my first questions to him was are you concerned about noise? Do we have to stop at a certain time? How are the neighbors? And we did a couple of site visits to the home before we booked. And um, and obviously that was very gracious on the owner. And I don't think every Airbnb you have that flexibility, but he was very flexible with us, which was great. And so the house was at the end of a cul-de-sac and on a very large piece of land. So the neighbors weren't really like close to us. Um, and then it was actually only one house that was a neighbor, and then the other side was a new build, so there wasn't even anyone in the house. So honestly, it was a dream situation.
SPEAKER_06So we're gonna go and like bring a basket to the neighbor, use a gift card just for one night, please. Just like please don't call the game.
SPEAKER_03I know, which we weren't that loud. And again, with the rain, as soon as he opened up the dance floor, we actually had to go inside. So we're gonna go.
SPEAKER_06So it worked out good anyway.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, we weren't even outside um past 9 p.m. Okay. We went inside. So yeah, it all worked out. I mean, he did say he was like by 10. Okay, just try to, you know, at least go inside. Yeah. Um and then it just happened to work out.
SPEAKER_00So how late did your wedding end up going until? And were you exhausted?
SPEAKER_03I wasn't actually. Okay. Yeah. I wasn't. I think again, like a 60 count was very easy to manage. Like it wasn't, you know. This huge wedding. Um, and then we were staying at the house. So like I woke up at the house, I got ready, my husband went and golfed for the day. Classic. And then, yeah, and then came back and um, and then we were, you know, sleeping at the house. So it wasn't like we had to go anywhere. Um, and then yeah, everyone, I think everyone left by like 12. Okay. Oh, that's and then I remember my husband and I and his family were sitting on the couch at like 2 a.m. Oh, just chatting about the day. Yeah, you know, going through cards that people wrote us and just like saying what a perfect day it was. So um, yeah.
SPEAKER_00But that does sound like an absolute perfect day. It really was.
SPEAKER_03And I wasn't exhausted. Like, I think maybe a couple days prior to the wedding, I was mentally exhausted from the rain scare. Yes. Like that was my biggest stress that was causing me like a lot of angst. But then I reached a point, I think, on Thursday, prior to the Saturday wedding, where I was like, what can I do?
SPEAKER_07Yeah.
SPEAKER_03It's out of my control.
SPEAKER_07You just have to do it. So I'm just gonna let it go.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. And we're gonna make it work no matter what. Yep. So and it went out.
SPEAKER_06And it worked out perfect. Yeah. It always does.
SPEAKER_03It always works out. I was talking to another um client of mine about this the other day, and it's like brides, we as a bride, you know, we freak out about the rain, but I feel like almost a hundred percent of the time, it just always finds a way to work out. And sometimes, yes, of course, you have to move inside, and that's unfortunate because it literally changes your whole design. But you still manage, you still like find a way, it's still beautiful no matter what. Yeah, yeah. And yeah, it just it it works out. Yeah. Finds a way to work itself out.
SPEAKER_06And I feel like it's just, you know, we say, you know, at the end of the day, the day is about you and your husband. Totally. And you know, coming together, and it's you know, whatever. If it's gonna rain, it's gonna rain, but you still gotta celebrate in your unity of marriage.
SPEAKER_00And that's what's some of my favorite pictures are when couples are running through the rain. Yeah, at the end of the day, after all the photos, like and they just run. It's like there's brides that will jump into the ocean in their wedding dress or into pools. Like it's done, baby. They said this the deal is done.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, they're like, I do not care. Literally, you just had a point.
SPEAKER_00It's lifted off their shoulders. Yeah.
SPEAKER_06No.
SPEAKER_00Oh, I love that. Well, thank you for sharing your sponsor. Oh my god. It does sound perfect. It does.
SPEAKER_06I can't wait to see pictures after this. Yeah, I can wait to show you.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
Choosing A Look Without Overthinking
SPEAKER_06Um, okay, so obviously you talk about your wedding um, you know, in the rental industry, and you talked about how this felt like a little a little blurred. Um, how do you feel like you approached your own wedding design?
SPEAKER_03Oh my God. Being a vendor, you know, I'm in the showroom weekly, and I think I ran through a few different designs multiple times and changing my mind many different times. Um, and then I found a look that I loved and I just went with it. And I was like, this is perfect. This is exactly what I want. It was neutral, but um, a mix of like dark earthy greens with black. I love that. And I'm very moody. I'm very like, I love a dark with like a pop of a light neutral.
SPEAKER_05For sure.
SPEAKER_03Um, and so yeah, and then I just I kept visualizing the design with this house, obviously. The house was like the star of the show. Um, it looked like the White House. So I was trying to play on like the front of the house, kind of being this like old, but just vibey, moody. I wanted heavy candles. Oh, I love that. So yeah. But I had fun, I had so much fun just designing. And we happened to get brand new linens in like right before my wedding. And I used I know I used one of our newer styles and fell in love immediately. Like as soon as I saw it, I was like, that's my linen. Yeah, I need that. And then I kind of built my look off of the linen. So I like that.
SPEAKER_00At any point, did you ever feel like you were second guessing your choice, especially being in that showroom as often as you are? Totally.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. I think, I think like just going through the different designs and being like, okay, do I love this a hundred percent?
SPEAKER_07Yeah.
SPEAKER_03But I'm a very decisive person. So when I decide on something, I'm like, yep, there's no questioning. So once I reached that point, I was like, okay, we're good. Like we're so changing your mind. It is but for a period of time when I was in that design process, you know, I was going between a few different, and I don't know, I was just like, really love this one. And so then I just kind of built on that and fell in love with it. So yeah.
SPEAKER_06That's awesome. Yeah, I think it's good you made a decision. I feel like a lot of brides they'll like go back and forth so much, and it's yeah, almost, you know, like going to too many wedding venues, too many, looking at too many dresses, it just becomes so overwhelming. And it's just like then you're gonna be like, wait, do I even like this? And it just you question yourself so much. So take time to figure out what you want. But I feel like it's good that you just went through a few designs. You're like, no, I like this, we're locking it in, yeah, and that's what it's gonna be.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I think it helps being a vendor too. Yeah. Because I'm in that space all day, every day. Whereas a new bride, you know, they're doing this for the first time. Yeah. So I think it's totally normal to be like, I have no idea what I want, and I'm overwhelmed and I'm shopping a million different vendors, you know. But you'll know, like, once you start that process and like see your design, you'll know, like, okay.
SPEAKER_06You're like, this is it, this is it.
SPEAKER_03I love it. This is the money. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00So that's good. What I mean, do you have any advice for a bride that's indecisive?
SPEAKER_06I'm like, uh, my sister-in-law come together. Because I've had a few indecisive.
SPEAKER_00Well, I've had a few as well.
SPEAKER_03Um I always tell them you don't have to rush the process. Obviously, most like we do get a few that come in and they're on a time crunch. Okay, that's a different story. But generally speaking, you know, you're over a year out, you can take a beat and just I always encourage them to go home, like think about the design. Yeah. Continue to look. I I encourage them to take lots of photos when we're in the design room and just continue to look at those photos. Because if you give yourself, I feel like a few days, sometimes a week, by the end, you'll know, I love this, I hate that. And you can kind of narrow it down.
SPEAKER_04Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Um but a lot of times indecisiveness too comes from a lot of other people's opinions. So sometimes if I'm working with a bride and she has her mother-in-law or mother that's in there saying, Well, I hate that, and she's like, But I love that. You know, um sometimes I'll just pull her, pull her off to the side and say, like, just go home. Remember, this is your day. Yeah. Just think about it. You don't have to make a decision today. And I think just giving you know, them some time helps to narrow it down. Um, so yeah. That would be my my word of advice. A wonderful answer. Yes.
Common Rental Mistakes To Avoid
SPEAKER_00Yes. Um, what are the top rental mistakes couples make?
SPEAKER_03Um I mean, you have to communicate with your venue, you have to communicate with the hotel, whoever, wherever you're getting married, just to know what do you need. You know, you don't want to arrive on the day of, and God forbid, you forgot to order heaters and they don't have heaters.
SPEAKER_07Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Um, so I think just that open communication with whoever your contact is at that venue, um, and securing your rentals. That would be my biggest piece of advice. So I always encourage our clients you can put down a deposit, secure your rentals, and you can cancel with a full refund up to three days prior to your event date, as long as it's not a tent or specialty items like carpeting or something, draping that we're ordering. Um, that secures your rentals, your design, your vision, and gives you time to think about it. And you can make adjustments, you can change things up to three days prior. So I always that's like my biggest thing is just lock them in because you don't want to reach back out to us, you know, a few months before, six months out, and your chair is booked. Yeah. Or your linen is booked. So that would be my biggest piece of advice. Just book the rentals, just do it. Yeah, you can always, I mean, we are, I don't, I don't know how other vendors, as far as rentals go, this is why you guys need policy. But event rents, we have a very generous refund policy. So that's really good. Yeah.
SPEAKER_06Yeah.
SPEAKER_03That's awesome.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_06Um, okay, are there any rentals you would skip? Or maybe like isn't your favorite, or whatever, however, you want to speak on it.
SPEAKER_03Um I mean, of course not. Of course not, right? The world is your oyster. Make your dreams come true. No, literally. Um, but obviously, if budget is a concern, that's where I will, you know, get to know my client and and discuss, you know, what is important to them.
SPEAKER_05For sure.
SPEAKER_03Um, and their vision and their design. And there's certain things that you can certainly remove that don't make the biggest impact. Yeah. You know, but I think it comes down to getting to know your client and what they're wanting. And that can be different for certain people. You know, we have a bride right now that we're working with that fell in love with this one linen, you know. So it's like obviously I'm not going to tell her, well, just remove the linen. You know, like that's that's her one thing. Yeah. But we can talk through the other elements as far as what's important to her. For sure. And then overall design and we can play around with that and see, you know. But um, yeah, I just think get to know your client.
SPEAKER_06Yeah. Know what's most important and be like, let's get this and maybe let's skip this so we can make it'll be more important to you. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_06Yeah.
SPEAKER_00How far out do popular items um book?
How Far Out To Book
SPEAKER_03It varies. Um, we're working on quite a few events for the end of 2027 already. So um it just depends, you know. Specialty like our linens probably go faster than other items. Okay. Um, China, glassware, flatware, it varies, you know. We work with a lot of hotels um in the valley and a lot of venues that use that stuff frequently. So if you're a bride and you're wanting China, glassware, flatware, like that's something I encourage them. Just again, just secure it. It's no um risk to you. And that locks it in. And then if you change your mind, you change your mind. We can we can adjust later. But um, yeah, and then of course, tenting. If if there's a weekend where there's rain or you know, inclement weather, that's gonna be probably the first thing to vote. You better be dialing by booking immediately. Yes.
SPEAKER_06Oh my goodness.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
SPEAKER_06Um, okay, so when should couples book their rentals in the planning process, especially if you guys have, at least for you guys at event rents, you know, your refund policy. When do you feel like is the sweet spot?
SPEAKER_03I would say, I mean, ideally, um, you're booking like eight to twelve months out.
SPEAKER_07Okay.
SPEAKER_03Would be ideal. Um, does that always happen?
unknownNo.
SPEAKER_03I would say realistically, we're probably getting, you know, people calling for like four to six months out. Um, and corporate clients are like the week of, unfortunately. You know, which that's a different uh What do you mean the week before? Well, again, yeah with corporate clients, they're waiting on the end client. So they're waiting for funds for contracts to be signed from that end client. So, you know, working with DMCs, um, it's it is unfortunately can be very last minute. Um, so it's it's hard. But if you're a bride, I would recommend eight to twelve months out. You have enough time to not be stressed. You can come in, you can book multiple design mock-ups um and see your your actual table, your vision in person. And that's you know, coming to our showroom. We have a beautiful space. Yeah. Um, you can always bring your florist so you can make like the full table come to life. Um yeah, eight to eight to twelve months gives you plenty of time to like just plan with ease, you know, instead of rush.
SPEAKER_00Correct.
SPEAKER_05Yeah for sure. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Um how can couples make a big visual impact with rentals without blowing their budget?
SPEAKER_03Um again, I think back to getting to know your client and what their budget is. Um I always say depends on the space, but generally speaking, the first thing when you walk into the room, you're gonna see the bigger things, right? So you're gonna see tables covered with linens. You're gonna see that lounge furniture. Um, you're not gonna see the smaller stuff per se, but when you walk in that first impression. So if you can allocate your budget towards those bigger, like visually speaking items, I feel like it'll get you'll get more bang for your buck. Okay. Um but yeah, just get to know your client and what's important to them, you know, and then their individual budget, because that'll vary from person to person and what's important to them. Yeah you know, they might not care about linens, they might care about glassware or you know, lighting or whatever. So yeah.
SPEAKER_06That's awesome. Get to know that client. Yeah. I was kind of gonna ask the same thing, like where to splurge with couples, and I feel like you answered that kind of already, but like in it with your wedding, where did you splurge with like rentals? Or would you tell a client that would upgrade it in just like chef's kiss besides launchets?
SPEAKER_03Um, well, the linens.
SPEAKER_07Okay.
SPEAKER_03You know, I went with an upgraded linen.
SPEAKER_07Okay.
SPEAKER_03And like I said before, the linen, when I saw that linen, I was like, that's my linen. And then I built everything off of that linen.
SPEAKER_07Yeah.
SPEAKER_03So that was like my non-negotiable kind of bigger item.
SPEAKER_07Yeah.
SPEAKER_03And and then I worried about, you know, China, glassware, flat work after the fact, okay, and chairs. Um, chairs are another thing that can go a long way. Yeah. You know, people are really into the statement chairs or yes, a statement chair is worth it a hundred percent. If you can afford it in your budget, I highly recommend like even just a linen and a chair. Beautiful. And it's gonna look great in your photos. Again, it's gonna be that first impression when you walk in, you're gonna see that. Yeah. Um, so I think those things are worth it. Yeah, yeah, I agree.
SPEAKER_00Yep. Um, what trends are you seeing right now that you love?
SPEAKER_03Um, a lot of like greens and pinks and mixing those two colors together. Um just kind of vibrant colors. I've seen a lot of um kind of out-of-the-box stuff you haven't seen before, but like making it look chic and elegant, but still using like bright pops of color.
SPEAKER_07Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Um, and I love that. I mean, while I am like personally, I love a dark moody. I love to see that color at an event or a wedding. I think it's fun. It's very spring summer.
SPEAKER_06Yeah.
SPEAKER_03You know?
SPEAKER_06We just talked about this last week on the podcast with our other guests, but I've been seeing that. Have you personally seen this from couples that 2026 is the year of chartreuse in Burgundy? Oh, yeah. That color palette. Oh, yeah. Yeah. That's what I've seen all over TikTok. And all the brides are like, so we all have the same color scheme. And I'm like, Yes, I think, and then they're like, it's gonna go to style event. And it's just like it's always gonna be like that. Trends are gonna come and go.
SPEAKER_03But oh, totally.
SPEAKER_06I just I saw that and I was like, I need to know if you've seen that from Brides. Okay. I think it's cute. I like it.
SPEAKER_03I do too, but I'm more like, do something different. Yeah. Just because it's a trend doesn't mean you should.
SPEAKER_06Yeah. You know, I'm kind of if you actually love it, do it, but don't just do it because it's like you love it.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, 100%. Um, but stay true to yourself too. Yeah, you know, and sometimes it's fun to do something different that like you haven't seen before. Yeah. You know?
SPEAKER_06So I agree. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
SPEAKER_06Um, it's me, right? Yeah. Okay. What are some creative ways to repurpose rentals um throughout the day? Sorry.
SPEAKER_03Um, well, we can do flips. We do that quite a bit. So taking your ceremony chair and bringing it to reception. Um you can, I mean, lounge too, you can repurpose. So you could move it from cocktail hour to reception. Um trying to think of anything else. I think those are like the bigger the two main ones.
SPEAKER_06Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Things that I see people, you know, reusing the same. But you can make it look different too.
SPEAKER_07Yeah.
SPEAKER_03You know, taking your ceremony chair and bringing it to reception, you could have two totally different looks. You're just using the same chair. You know, so yeah. Um that's true.
SPEAKER_00Yep. I think back to the wedding um that I did this past fall, we rented in black chairs because they had a very um like black and white themed wedding. And so the black ceremony chairs, and then they when they got moved to reception, we added white ribbon to the back of the chairs, and that was the guest name for their seat, like where they were seated. So cute. And same chair, totally different look.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, yeah. So I love doing that. Yep. Yeah, I was gonna say, I was thinking like two, like when you're saying, you know, make the chair different. Like I feel like it used to be like the bows on the chairs and things like that. So same chair, but just elevate it a little bit.
Venue Questions And DSS Timing
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah. Um how do uh rentals typically work with venues or hotels? And what should couples be asking their venue or hotel ahead of time?
SPEAKER_03Yeah. So the biggest thing um with rentals and venues and hotels is whether it's us working with them direct or it's a client that's our middle person, um, is communicating what do they have on property? So are we starting with the basics, tables, chairs, some sort of linen? How about lighting? Um, and then you get into kind of the deeper questions as far as okay, what's your design, what's your vision, what are you wanting to add to that? Um and then we get into are you needing a tent or structure? And if so, there's a list of questions for that. Um, where is the tent going on property? Are we able to stake? Are we needing to bring in concrete? Um, same with lighting, same thing. You know, how is the lighting on the property? Are we needing to, you know, add bistro lighting? Um, heaters is a big one, making sure that venue or hotel, do they have them, do they not? Um, and then beyond that is getting into DSS, so delivery set strike. So what are um the venue's requirements as far as are they needing this stuff out the night of? Um, which that's, you know, the golden question that I always tell clients to um to ask, is there any way that our team could come back the next morning, like as early as 6 or 7 a.m.? Because that'll save quite a bit on after hours fees. Um and a lot of times if it is at a hotel in a ballroom, they're not using that space, you know, the next day, um, or especially a venue, right? They have that flexibility. They don't have an event until maybe the next evening. Um so I think just asking those questions. Now, some venues and hotels are like, absolutely not. We need it out that night, totally fine. Um, and then yeah, and then just locations on property that we're delivering. So again, if you're if you're at a hotel, um, which ballroom are we going to? Which lawn are we going to? Um, just so that our guys, when they arrive, they know exactly where they're going. Um but yeah, those are like,
SPEAKER_00Those are wonderful questions.
SPEAKER_03Wow. No, those are perfect.
SPEAKER_00Yep. Those are wonderful.
SPEAKER_06Yeah. I think a lot of people just go and mean like, oh, this is my vision. This is what I want. And it's like, well, can your does your venue allow that? Can you even have this stuff?
SPEAKER_00Totally.
SPEAKER_06And people, it's just stuff they don't think of, which is totally normal.
SPEAKER_00Those are the important questions. Exactly. Unfortunately.
SPEAKER_06Those are we need to ask those though. Please need to be able to do that. Okay. Any underrated rental items that couples should consider?
unknownOh my gosh.
SPEAKER_03I mean so many things. We have some beautiful specialty napkins that I love. That you know, if you're working with a more basic linen, you can add a pop of a specialty napkin or you know, glassware. Like we have beautiful glassware. So those little things, flatware, um, that aren't super costly, but you can make an impact. If you're not wanting to do linens, you're not wanting to, you know, go all out on specialty tables. You can kind of hone in on those smaller details.
SPEAKER_07Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Um yeah, those are those are kind of the things that come to mind as far as like if you're not wanting to go all out on the bigger stuff. Yeah. And then let's hone in on like the glassware. Yeah.
SPEAKER_06I do love the colored glassware. It's I've been seeing it and I'm like, wait, I'm like, I actually like this. Yes. Like it's just especially if you're doing like a more simple linen or something, you can just throw that and it's like a pop-a-color, but yeah, it's just like it looks more elegant and elevated, which I really like.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. I remember when the amber, like the dark the amber colored glassware, that kind of went through a trend a few years ago, and it was so pretty. Yeah, no, I love it.
SPEAKER_06I've seen like purple, like green. Yeah. And I'm just like, you know what? It's it matches their colors, it ties it in, and I'm like, it's better, like it gives it a contrast. I love a cute cup. I have too many at home.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_06Every time I walk into T Air Home Goods, I'm leaving with a new cup. Yeah. I'm like, wait, but I could use those for like a different drink. Like it's cute. Totally. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Um, also loved the look of the like the chargers, just a good charger with um the nice plate, just perfect.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, to elevate just elevate statement piece. Yes. I love it.
SPEAKER_00Um, if you could give couples one piece of advice when it comes to rentals, what would it be?
SPEAKER_03Um beyond booking and securing your rentals. Like that's my number one that I tell clients, just because again, you you love this design, you want, you know, that specific chair, that linen, et cetera, just book it and you can always adjust later. Um but beyond that would be your budget, be on the same page and have that open communication and talk to each other about okay, what is our top line? And we're gonna stick to that because and it's really hard. It's really, really hard. Like even myself, going from being a vendor to a bride, it's really hard. You set this number and you're like, okay, this is our this is our max. And then you start to think of things like, oh my God, I forgot about this, yeah, or I forgot about that, or you know, someone is giving their opinion about something you should have. And I think it's just make sure that you two are on the same page and you have that solid communication because then you can kind of hone in on what's important to you.
SPEAKER_07Yeah.
SPEAKER_03And that's what the day is about. It's about the both of you. Yeah. You can kind of lose sight of that in all these different things and details and elements, but just make sure you have that communication, you guys are on the same page. So I agree.
SPEAKER_06I think it's hard with opinions, and and sometimes I'm glad I got into the wedding industry after I got married because I've been to what, like a hundred plus weddings now. Like at the venue, I've seen so many different like and at first I thought I was gonna like spiral like being there. I mean, like, dang, I should have like done all this stuff. But I'm like, no, I like how my I love how my wedding was. It was what I wanted and it was the design I wanted, but I like think sometimes I'm like, I wonder what it had been like before, and like seeing so many weddings. I'm like, I would have had literally probably every single thing in the book. Yeah, I'm like, well, uh, actually, that beer bro is cute. We can like throw that into the budget. Like, wait, we should actually do the drapery. And then I'm like, wait, my would have been like a million dollars. Yeah, so I'm glad that I it happens fast, yeah. And it's like it's too, and at the end, it's like everything just lasts minute. It's like uh the extra buffer budget.
SPEAKER_00My husband wants to uh do a vowel renewal, and I'm like, no, my I'm trying to get her.
SPEAKER_03I love what you're saying now.
SPEAKER_00There is no plan my own event again.
SPEAKER_03That's exactly, that's exactly it. And like I had to, I mean, us being in the industry, right? That's why we're like, no, we're not, we're not, it's not worth it. Because my husband, he was actually the one. I was like, let's elope. I've done this enough. Yeah, you're like on every single thing. And like, I mean, unless you have a huge budget to have this dream wedding, it's hard when you're in the industry and you're seeing so many different, you know, like the best of the best. It's hard to then go to like something smaller, right? And so I was like, let's just elope. We could have this great elopement. And he's like, no, like we need to have a wedding. I want my family there and the whole thing. And I'm like, okay. Like and then we started the process.
SPEAKER_00And you found the happy medium, the happy medium. And that's why I want to stress that you pulled off a gorgeous wedding at an Airbnb. It's doable.
SPEAKER_03It is doable.
SPEAKER_00And did you stay within your budget?
SPEAKER_03Um, we went a little over. Yeah. I will be honest. We went a little over because there were just normal. There were just, I think it's normal. And I and I think the biggest thing is just the communication. Yeah. Just make sure that you guys are talking about what's important to you. And like video was an example of something we at first were like, do we want this? Do we not? We really wanted a good photographer, but we were unsure if we wanted video. And then as we got closer, I was like, babe, of course we need a video. Like, I want to watch that back, you know, for years. So then we talked about that. And okay, what do we want to spend and what does this look like? And then we, you know, we added it in, you know, feel like we added it. We kind of reach a point where like but I think it's just being on the same page and just having that communication, you know. But yeah, I mean, you can you can make that dream, that vision come to life. Um, Airbnbs, just note that you're bringing in everything. So forewarning to the you know, DIY brides or brides that think that that that's gonna be less expensive than a venue, it's not necessarily. In fact, it can be significantly more just because you're having to bring in literally everything. Yeah, um, so sometimes it's easier to just go to a venue. Yeah, just just throwing that out there. Just do it. Um, but you can wherever you're at, just communicate and you can make that vision come to life. And and just what's important to you, you know?
SPEAKER_00No, keep that at the forefront.
SPEAKER_06Yep, always.
SPEAKER_00That's awesome. Those are all my questions too. Those are all mine. No, yeah. All right, yeah, that's it.
SPEAKER_06I know. I flies by so quick every time I swear. Yeah, it really did.
Where To Find Event Rents
SPEAKER_00It flew by. So but thank you so much for coming on the podcast today. You have brought so much value to our listeners and you educated us.
SPEAKER_06Yes, I've I'm learning more. Yes, and I love it.
SPEAKER_00Um, if you are looking for Chloe um or event rinse, they have locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Vale, Aspen, and here in Phoenix. So you can check them out at eventrents.com or on Instagram for the one here in Phoenix. It is um at eventrinse az. And we will see you next time. Bye.