Planning a wedding in Washington and trying to stick to a budget? You’re not alone. Between venue fees, catering, and décor, costs can add up fast—but your rentals don’t have to break the bank. Whether you’re hosting a backyard celebration in Pierce County or a mountaintop ceremony in the Cascades, these smart, budget-friendly rental tips will help you save money without sacrificing style, service, or peace of mind.
Here are 10 tried and true ways that I saved money on my own wedding and how I advise brides-to-be to save money on their wedding!
1. Prioritize the Essentials
Before you fall in love with neon signs or custom drink stirrers, start with the backbone of your event: tables, chairs, and linens. These are the pieces your guests will interact with the most—where they’ll eat, toast, and gather—and they’ll appear in nearly every photo. A sturdy table and a comfortable chair may not seem glamorous, but they’re what make your celebration feel polished and put-together.
At Rainier Event Rentals, we recommend beginning with your guest count and layout. How many people are attending? Will you need banquet tables for a buffet or cocktail tables for mingling? Once you’ve mapped that out, choose linens that complement your color palette and elevate the space.
Once the essentials are locked in, you can layer in personality with extras like yard games, chalkboard signage, or a wine barrel bar. These add charm and fun, but they’re the icing—not the cake. By focusing your budget on the pieces that matter most, you’ll create a beautiful, functional foundation that sets the tone for everything else.
💡 Budget Breakdown: Where the Wedding Dollars Go
Category | Average Cost | % of Budget |
|---|---|---|
Venue, Catering & Rentals | $16,500–$18,000 | 50% |
Attire (Dress, Suit, etc.) | $2,000–$3,000 | 7–10% |
Cake & Desserts | $300–$800 | 2–3% |
Photography & Videography | $4,000–$7,000 | 10–12% |
Florals & Décor | $2,000–$4,000 | 8–10% |
Entertainment | $1,000–$7,000 | 5–8% |
💬 “Renting smart can save thousands—especially when you bundle essentials like tables, chairs, and linens.”
💡 Pro Planning Tip: Most round tables seat 8 guests comfortably. Since rentals are a-la-carte, you can curate your quote in exact multiples of 8—making it easy to balance your ceremony seating evenly on both sides and ensure a perfect table-to-chair ratio at the reception. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in both aesthetics and your budget.
💡 Budget-Savvy Tip: Mid-length polyester linens are a smart way to save without sacrificing style. They’re durable, wrinkle-resistant, and cost-effective—making them a favorite for couples who want a clean, cohesive look without the premium price tag. Linens are the most frequently DIY'd rental, so I've created an entire blog to share the steps of ironing the linens.
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