When you’re planning a wedding, every decision feels like it carries weight—especially when it comes to your budget. One of the most common questions we hear is: “Should I rent or buy my wedding items?” From chairs and tables to wine barrels, yard games, and shepherd’s hooks, the answer depends on your priorities, your timeline, and how much post-wedding cleanup you’re willing to take on.

Renting wedding items is almost always worth it! There are real costs, both financially and emotionally, that have made me come to the conclusion of why most brides should rent instead of buy their wedding items.

The Real Cost of Buying vs. Renting 

At first glance, buying might seem like the budget-friendly option. You find chairs online or a used wine barrel on Marketplace and think, “That’s not bad, that’s only a few dollars more than renting” But multiply that by your guest count, add shipping, storage, setup, takedown, and the hassle of reselling—and suddenly, renting starts to look like the smarter move.

And it’s not just tables and chairs—couples often try to buy everything from wine barrels for cocktail tables or décor, to yard games like cornhole, giant Jenga, or Yardzee. We’ve seen metal coolers for drinks, shepherd’s hooks for aisle markers or signage, and even chalkboards, cake stands, and serving bars added to the DIY list. One of the biggest undertakings? Centerpieces for 20 or more tables, which means sourcing, storing, transporting, and carefully setting up dozens of fragile items—each one a potential stress point before the big day even begins.

What many couples don’t anticipate is the logistical headache that comes with hauling all of it. Renting a U-Haul truck, loading and unloading heavy or delicate items, and hoping nothing breaks in transit adds a whole new layer of stress. We’ve not only heard these stories—we’ve experienced them. Over the years, we’ve refined our transport methods to protect every piece and ensure smooth delivery, even to tricky locations.

Renting means you get commercial grade, event-ready pieces that match, function properly, and show up clean and on time—without the post-wedding clutter, the risk of damage, or the stress of DIY logistics.

Real Talk: When the Garage Becomes a Battleground

We once had a bride who, a full year after her wedding, was still staring at a garage packed with leftover décor—centerpieces, signage, shepherd’s hooks, crates, and more. What started as a DIY dream had become a source of stress. Her new husband wanted his garage back. She wanted her peace of mind. And the clutter? It was costing her more than just space—it was weighing on her mental health.

She told us, “I thought I’d resell everything, but I didn’t realize how much time and energy that would take. I just want it gone.”

This is the part no one talks about: the after. Renting means you don’t have to live with your wedding long after the honeymoon. You get the look you want, the support you need, and your garage back—no regrets, no resale stress.

Top Reasons Renting Is Worth It

1. No Storage Headaches

It’s easy to underestimate just how much space wedding extras can take up—until your garage is overflowing with wine barrels, crates of yard games, stacks of shepherd’s hooks, and bins of chalkboards, signage, and centerpiece supplies. We’ve seen couples try to tuck everything into spare bedrooms, borrowed trailers, or even their living rooms in the weeks leading up to the big day. It’s not just inconvenient—it’s overwhelming. And after the wedding? You’re left with a mountain of stuff to clean, repack, and somehow get rid of. When you rent with us, everything arrives when you need it and disappears when you’re done. No clutter, no chaos, and no “what do we do with all this?” panic—just one more thing off your plate

2. No Cleaning or Reselling

When the party’s over, the last thing you want to do is roll up your sleeves and start scrubbing table linens, wiping down coolers, or figuring out how to repack 20 shepherd’s hooks without scratching your car. And if you bought everything yourself? Now you’re stuck trying to photograph, list, and sell it all—hoping someone wants 15 used centerpieces or a huge, heavy wine barrel that’s been sitting in your garage for months.
Renting skips all of that. We take care of the laundry, the polishing, and the post-event pickup. No late-night cleanup, no resale hustle, and no wondering what to do with a pile of stuff you’ll never use again. You get to focus on what matters—celebrating, relaxing, and heading off into honeymoon bliss without a single folding table in sight.

3. Professional-Grade Quality

Every piece in our collection is chosen with purpose—because your event deserves more than “good enough.” Our inventory isn’t just functional; it’s curated to elevate your space, photograph beautifully, and hold up to real-life celebration. From our 60″ round tables and banquet setups to our white resin chairs, pressed linens, and rustic wine barrels, everything is clean, cohesive, and ready to impress.
We’re not pulling mismatched chairs from a dusty storage unit or sending out scratched-up coolers. Our tables are sturdy and level, our chairs are comfortable and photo-ready, and our linens arrive freshly pressed and event-ready—no wrinkles, no worries. Even our décor pieces—from chalkboards to shepherd’s hooks—are maintained with care. Whether it’s a full reception layout or a few key accents, you can count on every item to arrive looking intentional, polished, and ready to shine in your photos.

4. Expert Support

Need help with layout? Timing? Setup? We’ve done hundreds of weddings and large-scale events, and we know how to make it smooth—from the first quote to the final pickup. Whether you’re planning a backyard ceremony or coordinating a multi-day festival, we’re in your corner with experience, flexibility, and a calm, can-do attitude.

And here’s the thing: when you buy from Amazon or Marketplace, you don’t get any of that. There’s no one to walk your site with you, no one to help you figure out how many tables will actually fit under your canopy, and definitely no one to call when your delivery doesn’t show up. We’ve had more than one panicked couple reach out after a Marketplace seller ghosted them or a shipment arrived late—or not at all.

With Rainier Event Rentals, you’re not just getting inventory—you’re getting a team. As one client shared, “Erin was extremely helpful from the first time I contacted her with questions through delivery. She made everything very easy. I wish I could give them more than 5 stars.” Another wrote, “Thank you so much for your professionalism and helping our day run smoothly. We are so grateful for your communication and promptness through the entire process.”

We’ve stepped in when other companies backed out, delivered outside our normal schedule to meet client needs, and gone above and beyond to make sure every detail is covered. Because when it comes to your event, you deserve more than a tracking number—you deserve a partner who shows up.

5. It’s Greener, Too

Here in Washington, we’re charged for plastic bags at checkout—a reminder of how important it is to reduce waste and make more sustainable choices. But when you purchase new wedding items, the amount of packaging waste can be staggering. Every Amazon box, every roll of bubble wrap, every plastic sleeve around a stack of napkins—it adds up fast. Even as a rental professional, I cringe when I have to purchase new inventory because I know how much trash comes with it.

That said, when we do buy, we invest in commercial-grade items that are built to last for years, not just one event. And when those pieces start to show wear—when linens get threadbare or wood finishes begin to dull—we don’t toss them. We refinish, repair, restore, or repurpose them for parts. That’s the beauty of quality: it gives us the ability to extend the life of every piece and reduce waste at every turn.

For couples planning a single event, renting is the greener choice by far. It reduces waste, cuts down on packaging, and supports a circular system where beautiful, durable pieces are used again and again. Renting isn’t just easier—it’s a small but powerful way to celebrate more sustainably.

When Buying Might Make Sense

There are a few scenarios where buying could be the right move—like if you’re hosting multiple events over time, or you’re a DIY bride with a clear resale plan, plenty of storage space, and the time to manage it all. Maybe you’re planning a backyard wedding this summer, a baby shower next year, and a family reunion after that. In those cases, investing in a few staple pieces might pencil out (though it’s worth noting that a rental company—like Rainier Event Rentals—may offer a frequent customer discount that makes renting even more cost-effective).

Some couples even find themselves unintentionally launching a side hustle—buying enough inventory to outfit their own wedding, then realizing they could rent it out to others. And while that can absolutely turn into a full-blown entrepreneurial venture (we know a thing or two about that!), it’s not for the faint of heart. Running a rental business means managing logistics, maintenance, marketing, customer service, and a whole lot of storage space. It also means handling bookkeeping, sales training, website building, and all the behind-the-scenes systems that keep the business running smoothly. If that’s your dream, go for it—but know what you’re signing up for.

For most couples, though, the time, stress, and hidden costs just aren’t worth it. Renting gives you the look you want, the support you need, and the freedom to enjoy your day—without the long-term baggage (or a surprise business plan).

Let’s Make It Easy

At Rainier Event Rentals, we’ve helped hundreds of couples across the PNW create beautiful, stress-free celebrations. Whether you need a few barrels and yard games or a full-service setup with tables, chairs, and layout support, we’re here to help you rent smart—and celebrate big.

Ready to ditch the stress and rent with confidence? Browse our rental catalog or contact us to get started.