If you’ve ever planned a wedding, you’ll know that it can be a thrilling yet challenging experience. From choosing the perfect venue to ensuring every detail aligns with your dream, there’s a lot to consider! OK, so we’re assuming that wedding equipment hire London might not at the top of your list of exciting things to organise, but that’s not to say that this doesn’t need thoughtful planning. Whether you’re hosting an intimate garden ceremony or a grand wedding event in a historical London venue, hiring the right equipment will help create a seamless and beautiful occasion for you as the happy couple.
It’s fair to say that the best wedding equipment hire London goes beyond just table and chair hire – it can include everything from lighting and décor to dance floors and marquees. To make the process smoother, we’ve created a comprehensive checklist to help you find the best wedding rentals for your special day. With this guide, you’ll know exactly what to look for, ensuring no detail is overlooked, and it will hopefully save you some time, money and effort when the time comes.
Start with the wedding equipment hire London essentials
Before diving into the more decorative or luxurious items, it’s important to ensure you have the essentials covered. These are the must-have items that every wedding, regardless of size or style, will need.
Chairs and tables hire: Depending on your guest list and venue, the number and type of chairs and tables for hire you require can vary. Will you have formal dining, or are you opting for casual, cocktail-style seating? For a London wedding, where space may be limited, it’s worth considering sleek and stylish options that complement your venue’s look and ambience. Many wedding equipment hire London companies offer a variety of styles, from vintage furniture hire such as rustic wooden chairs to modern Chiavari seating and everything in between.
Cutlery, crockery and glassware hire: These often-overlooked items are crucial for creating a refined dining experience. Make sure the hired cutlery, crockery and glassware hire match the theme and style of your wedding. Whether you prefer a vintage look with ornate chinaware or a minimalist, modern style with clean lines, matching your dining sets to your overall décor is essential. You’ll find you can hire affordable chinaware and cutlery here online with us, as well as luxury tableware hire items to suit any occasion. After all, wedding equipment hire London has never been easier.
Tablecloth hire and napkin hire: Tablecloths, table runners and napkins may seem like small details, but they significantly impact the overall look of your wedding reception, so choose your wedding table linen wisely. Choose colours and textures that align with your wedding colour scheme. Most wedding rentals companies in London will offer a range of linen styles from classic whites and ivories to more elaborate, textured fabrics.
Think about weather-proofing your wedding
One of the challenges of hosting a wedding in London and the UK at large is dealing with the unpredictable weather. Even during summer, rain or wind could surprise you. If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony or reception, you’ll need to think about protective equipment. And, at this point, we salute you for your bravery!
Marquees: A marquee is a fantastic option for outdoor weddings, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of nature while staying sheltered. When looking for wedding equipment hire London, ensure the marquee provider offers various sizes and styles, so you can choose one that fits your venue and guest list. Whether you want a clear-roofed marquee to let in natural light or a more traditional canvas option, marquees are a great way to safeguard against the elements.
Heaters and fans for hire: Depending on the time of year, you may need to keep your guests comfortable with heaters or fans. This is perhaps something that your marquee company will be able to provide for you as part of their marquee price, though many wedding rentals companies in London such as Event Hire UK, for instance, offer portable heating such as patio heater hire, along with cooling options such as floorstanding fans to ensure the temperature stays just right, indoors and out.
Umbrellas and blankets: For outdoor weddings, it’s a good idea to have some umbrellas on hand in case of rain. You can also offer blankets for guests during the evening, especially if the temperatures drop. These small touches can make a big difference in guest comfort and ensure your outdoor wedding goes off without a hitch.
Set the scene with lighting and décor
Lighting can transform a wedding venue from ordinary to magical. It’s essential for creating the right ambience and highlighting key areas like the dance floor, dining tables and the ceremonial backdrop. Décor, on the other hand, brings your personal touch and theme to life, as part of your wider wedding equipment hire London requirements list.
Lighting: For an elegant evening affair, string lights, fairy lights and candles (which you can source in real-flame or fake flame options) can create a romantic atmosphere. If your wedding has a more modern vibe, consider renting uplighting or even neon signs to add a trendy edge. London’s top wedding equipment hire companies usually offer a variety of lighting options tailored to different wedding styles.
Backdrops and draping: If your venue needs a bit of sprucing up or you want to create a focal point for photos or your ceremony, hiring decorative backdrops or drapes is a great option. Draping fabric or a floral backdrop can create stunning photo opportunities and frame key moments of the day, like your vows or cake cutting. And why not check out our light up letters and numbers, for the classic MR&MRS or LOVE message, lit up for that special wedding photography Instagram-shot!
Flower arrangements and archways: While flowers are typically arranged by florists, many wedding rentals companies offer complementary pieces like flower stands, archways or even artificial floral arrangements to suit your wedding theme. These items can significantly reduce the workload for your florist and ensure everything ties together seamlessly.
Don’t forget the fun: Dance floors and entertainment
The reception is the time when your guests can cut loose, celebrate and let their hair down, so make sure you’re prepared to provide entertainment and fun for all ages. Having the right wedding equipment hire London to encourage dancing and activities can take your wedding to the next level.
Dance Floor hire: If your venue doesn’t have a designated dance area, hiring a dance floor is a must. Here at Event Hire UK, we offer everything from elegant wooden floors to modern white dance floors – there’s a style to suit every wedding. A good-sized dance floor invites guests to enjoy the music and creates a central spot for evening entertainment.
Sound systems and microphones: Clear, high-quality sound is essential for speeches, toasts and announcements throughout the day. Ensure your wedding equipment hire includes sound systems and microphones, especially if you’re hosting your event in an outdoor or large venue where voices may not carry easily.
Photo booths and games: For a bit of extra fun, many London wedding rentals providers offer entertainment options like photo booths, lawn games, pool tables or even arcade machines. These fun extras can entertain guests during cocktail hour or keep children occupied during the wedding reception.
Create a comfortable dining and bar experience
Food and drink are highlights of any wedding, so ensuring your dining and bar areas are well-equipped is crucial. Guests will remember the experience of sharing a meal or a cocktail as much as they remember the ceremony, so setting up the perfect dining and bar experience is key as part of your wedding equipment hire London list.
Mobile bar hire: Whether you’re hiring a bartender or offering a self-serve bar, you’ll need to ensure you have the right equipment. This could include mobile bar hire counters, stools, coolers and drink dispensers. Depending on the formality of your wedding, you might also want to rent additional glassware or even cocktail-making equipment to give your drinks service a professional feel.
Catering equipment hire: If you’re working with a caterer, they might need additional equipment like ovens, fridges or serving platters or even our swan cake stand, to name just a few of the types of items that are available from us. Speak with your caterer and venue to ensure you hire the necessary items. Many wedding rentals companies also offer catering equipment hire London, making it easy to source everything from one provider. Why make life complicated!
Food stations: For more casual or outdoor weddings, food stations or buffet counters can be a fantastic option. Renting buffet tables, chafing dishes and serving utensils will allow your guests to enjoy the food at their leisure. This is an especially popular option for London weddings that incorporate street food or local vendors, or simply want to go down the more casual self-serve buffet route.
Work with a reputable wedding equipment hire London company
Finally, one of the most important steps in your checklist is choosing the right wedding equipment hire London provider. London is home to many companies that offer everything from tables and chairs to lighting and décor, but finding the right one for your needs and budget is essential.
We’ve already mentioned the need for thoughtful planning, and selecting the best wedding equipment hire London company to suit your needs is critical. Ask around, ask friends and family who might have recently got married, or been to a wedding that they enjoyed. Do some online research and find out what’s going on in the sector.
Do a Google search for ‘wedding equipment hire London company near me’ to try and find a local supplier – after all, this will save you a few quid when it comes to transport charges and, ultimately, will probably mean you receive a better, more proactive customer service level.
When the time comes for you to find a London-based wedding equipment hire supplier, we’d like to think that you’ll spend a few minutes having a look at what the team at Event Hire UK are able to provide for you. Our range of equipment hire for weddings is second to none, and we’re sure that you’ll find what you are looking for, whether it’s wedding furniture hire such as tables and chairs rental, decor hire, mobile bar hire or, indeed, anything else wedding-related.
Our team in London is poised to help you every step of the way, and we very much look forward to hearing from you!