Wedding Wednesday #2 - Do we buy or do we rent?

One of the challenges for an outdoor, backyard, at home,  kind of wedding is what to rent and what to buy?  Saving money is always a "good thing" but not everything is worth owning... especially if I need enough for a wedding with 150 guests!

My daughter's wedding will be held in the beautiful spot, courtesy of the parents of the groom.  You couldn't ask for a more beautiful location.

A view of the Puget Sound.  The wedding will be in mid August so hopefully the day will be as lovely as this one was.  I can see the chairs lined up for the ceremony, overlooking the water....

But... and a big but that is... this is Washington and even in mid August we can't always count on a rain free day.  So one of the most important items being rented is a tent.... A tent very similar, if not the same, as this one... in fact, I imagine it will look a little like this...

Source: abbeypartyrents.com via Red on Pinterest

The white chairs and tables will also be rented.  These chairs are exactly like the rental chairs we will be using.   The chairs will pull double duty during the ceremony and at the reception.  You could not purchase chairs and tables for what they can be rented for.

The plan is for a similar look to this... complete with white paper lanterns and clear sparkling lights.  Being on the water the tent will have side panels since it will most likely be windy.

Source: google.com via Red on Pinterest

Round white table linens and napkins will also be rented.  The "right" color of purple couldn't be found so we did purchase table sheers to go over the plain white tablecloths.  As you can see, it will be a fantastic contrast with the white napkins and milk glass center pieces.

Another rental to consider is the table settings.... silverware, glasses, plates, cups.  And believe me, the costs can really add up.  One piece of silverware can set you back $.50 and up... multiple times 3 for a complete setting and times 150 guests and you have $225 just in silverware.  Believe it or not, plates and glasses can be less and of course, you only need one of each!  The decision here was to just buy the silverware... at thrift stores and garage sales.  I started collecting it right away and have enough place settings for 175... and I only spent about $68!  Plus this is an easy to store item for future events here at Red Gate Farm.  Unlike plates and glasses that I really wouldn't want to store nor wash!  Of course this is a hodge podge of settings, which will be a fun, eclectic and personal look on each table... no two will be exactly the same!

I've also amassed a little collection of white, milk glass like coffee or tea cups.  I have 25 which really should be enough for an evening wedding.... I think the lemonade, ice tea, wine and beer will be more popular... so those glasses will be rented.  Coffee cups to rent are around $.45... I got all 25 for under $7.00.  (And by the way... the purple and green here are THE colors of the wedding)

And all those milk glass vases I've been working on?

THIS is the look we're going for on each table...

Source: projectwedding.com via Red on Pinterest

and here again... What do you think?  A winner?

Source: projectwedding.com via Red on Pinterest

Much to my surprise when I met with the florist that will be creating the bridal party flowers, well she RENTS these for weddings/events.  In fact she only has around 25 or so... my collection of just bud vases has grown to over 65... so she asked if I would be interested in renting my vases to her!  Wow, maybe I'll even earn a little pocket change!

And the cost of all those vases?  Well they've all been $.29 to $.59 a piece, with just one or two exceptions... a few were even free... so of course, we won't be renting these!

Come back next Wednesday for my next "installment" of Wedding Wednesday,