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Writer's pictureVictoria Reed

To Hire or to Buy: The Wedding Decor Dilemma

Updated: Sep 24

Planning a wedding brings decisions large and small. One deliberation you might be having is deciding whether to hire (rent) or buy decorations to style your wedding venue. Each comes with pros and cons, in this blog post I will explore the benefits of renting or hiring versus buying wedding decorations yourself, hopefully helping you to make an informed choice.


Hiring Wedding Decorations


Hiring wedding decorations from an event hire business can be a convenient and cost-effective option for couples looking to make their wedding venue personal to them. Here are some advantages of hiring:


  • Cost : Hiring decorations can be more budget-friendly than buying outright. This allows you access to large quantities of higher quality items at a fraction of the cost.

  • Convenience : With hire companies like Party Squared, you can choose from a wide range of decorations, from elegant centrepieces to backdrops and beautiful tableware, without the hassle of storing or reselling after the event.

  • Variety : You'll find that hire companies have a wide range of props, and lots of coordinating items to complement your venue and help you achieve your wedding vision. Hire companies add new stock to their collection all year round. You’ll be able to find more unique decor by hiring.

  • Safe & Practical : Decorations available for hire near you will have been tried and tested by the hire company ahead of your event making them safer to use. Hire stock will have been carefully selected to ensure each piece is suitable, practical and safe to use, as well as being aesthetically pleasing.

  • Reduced Waste: Hiring for your wedding reduces 'single use' items being used and thrown away after your event.

  • Time : There are lots of tasks that need to take place when prepping decorations for your wedding including; de-stickering new items, cleaning and polishing, wrapping and packing for transportation, loading, un-packing and re-packing after the event. Using a hire company means these jobs will be taken care for you.

  • Less Errors : Event professionals will give expert advice and pick up potential errors like ordering the incorrect size table cloth before it is too late.

  • Amendments : If your guest numbers change closer to the wedding date, your hire company will be able to amend your order fairly easily. Items can be added or removed as necessary; just check your contract terms on the latest date you can make changes.


There are some drawbacks to consider when it comes to hiring wedding decorations:


  • Customisation : While most hire companies offer customisation, you'll need to pay an additional fee for customisation and returning the item to its pre customised state.

  • Availability : Popular hire items may get booked quickly, so it's crucial to plan ahead and secure your desired decorations in advance.


Buying Wedding Decorations


On the other hand, buying wedding decorations provides a sense of ownership and allows you to customise with ease. Here's why some couples opt to buy their wedding decor:


  • Personalisation : Buying decorations that can be customised at home may save you on customisation fees.

  • Long-Term Use : Investing in wedding decorations means you can repurpose them for future celebrations, such as anniversaries or other special occasions.

  • Availability : It may be that you can't find what you are looking for locally. In this case, if you aren't willing to compromise, you may find buying the only option.


Despite these advantages, you should consider these disadvantages:


  • Cost : Buying all your decorations upfront can be a significant expense, especially if you're looking for high-quality or custom-made items.

  • Time : Searching and sourcing items in quanitity may take longer than hiring.

  • Storage : Owning decorations means you'll need to find storage space for them post-wedding, which can be a challenge for those with limited storage options.

  • Trends : Styles and trends in wedding decor evolve over time, so purchased items may become outdated before the wedding comes around or less appealing in the future if you plan to sell on.

  • Selling : Selling decorations after your wedding is a time consuming and lenghtly process. Most couples who have made the decision to buy will want new or may need different quanitites to you.

  • Changes : If you suddenly needed to buy additional items for another table centre you may find the item is out of stock. You could avoid this by buying early, however, this could mean you end up with unused items that can't be returned for a refund due to the shop's return window or refund policy.  


Whether you choose to hire or buy wedding decorations ultimately depends on your budget, style preferences, and long-term plans for the items. By weighing the pros and cons of each option, you can make an informed decision that suits your needs and helps create the wedding of your dreams.


Wedding Decorations
Wedding decorations for table centres to hire or to buy


Remember, the most important aspect of your wedding day is celebrating your love and commitment to each other. The decorations, whether rented or purchased, simply enhance the already superb venue you have chosen and make the space more personal and memorable to you both. Happy planning!


I hope this post has been helpful to you. Please feel free to reach out if you'd like to chat more about this topic or you'd like to find out more about hiring decorations for your wedding.

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