Most couples rent more than they expect, and the details are easy to forget until the week of the wedding. This wedding rentals checklist is organized by part of the day, from the ceremony to the last dance, so you can see what to rent, what to measure and what to confirm before anything ships.

How to use this list

Start with the areas your venue doesn’t already provide, then tick off each item as you decide. Rent My Wedding offers calculators and recommendations based on event type and guest count, so you don’t have to guess quantities. If you want several items that work together, the all packages page bundles them by area, and the all event rentals page shows every category.

The wedding rentals checklist by area

Ceremony

• Canopy or chuppah: a frame with drapes that frames the couple and the officiant. See the canopies and chuppahs page.
• Backdrop or arch-style drape: for a ceremony against a plain wall.
• Chair covers and sashes: spandex covers in white or black, with sashes in a wide range of colors.
• Wireless uplights: the Ceremony Kit pairs a canopy or chuppah with 4 wireless uplights, with chair covers and sashes as optional add-ons.

Reception

• Uplighting: the cheat sheet suggests 10 uplights for up to 75 guests, 16 for 76 to 150, 24 for 151 to 225, 32 for 226 to 300 and 40 for more than 300.
• Head table backdrop: the Head Table package sizes the backdrop to your table, from 12 feet wide for 2 to 6 people to 36 feet wide for 13 to 19 people, with a decorative swag and wireless uplights.
• Table lighting: Table Glow lights have programmable colors, a remote and a battery that lasts about 8 to 10 hours.
• Chair covers: fitted spandex covers for banquet or folding chairs.

Cake and dessert table

• Pin spot: a small focused light that makes the cake glow. Place it on the table and aim it. Pin spots also come with magnet and adapter mounting options. Browse them on the spotlights page.
• Backdrop: a drape behind the cake turns it into a photo spot. The Cake Table package includes 2 cake spotlights and 3 wireless uplights with a monogram, linen backdrop or canopy option.
• Extra pin spots: for the guest book, seating chart, favor table or dessert bar.

Dance floor

• Monogram light: projects your names, initials or a design onto the floor or a wall, with a design preview emailed before shipping.
• Effects: a starry night projector, a black light for a glow party or a moving head DJ light that follows the beat.
• Package option: the Dance Floor package combines 8 uplights, a custom monogram light and a tripod stand.

Photos and entertainment

• DIY photo booth: a self-serve photo booth with a camera, stand, unlimited digital photos and an online gallery.
• Party video kit: a camcorder kit that guests film with, followed by a professionally edited video. See the party video packages.

Measurements to take first

Your quantities depend on the room, so collect these before you order:

Measure	Why it matters
Wall lengths	Uplight count and spacing, backdrop width
Ceiling height	Backdrop height (8 or 10 ft) and starry night coverage
Head table length	Head table backdrop size
Chair type and count	Banquet or folding chair covers
Outlet locations	Standard uplights link up to 40 per outlet on 10-foot cords

Logistics to confirm

• Event date and shipping address: you enter both at checkout, along with quantities and payment.
• Payment: orders placed more than 30 days ahead are charged 25% at checkout, with the balance charged 30 days before the event. Orders placed within 30 days are charged in full.
• Delivery: rentals are scheduled to arrive at least two days before the event, and you’ll get tracking by email.
• Setup crew: there is no professional setup service, but every rental includes setup instructions and 24/7 phone support.
• Return plan: rentals last 5 days. Repack everything in the same box, attach the prepaid label and take it to a physical FedEx location within two days after the event. Never leave it in a FedEx drop box. You can find a store with the FedEx location finder.
• Return person: ask a friend or family member to handle the drop-off so you aren’t doing it the day after the wedding.

Work through this wedding rentals checklist a few months out, then again two weeks before the date, and nothing will be missing when the boxes arrive. For a timeline version, see our guide to renting for your event the easy way.

FAQ

Is there a minimum rental order?

No. There is no minimum order, so you can rent a single item or several, based on what your event needs.

Does Rent My Wedding set up the rentals?

No. Rent My Wedding doesn’t currently offer professional setup, but every rental includes clear setup instructions, and 24/7 phone support is available during the rental.

When do rentals arrive and when do they go back?

Rentals are scheduled to arrive at least two days before your event. They must be returned to a physical FedEx location within two days after the event, using the prepaid label, and never left in a FedEx drop box.

People Also Ask

What do I need to rent for a wedding?

Start with what the venue doesn’t provide. Common rentals are a ceremony canopy or backdrop, chair covers, uplighting, a cake spotlight, a monogram light for the dance floor and a photo booth.

What should be on a backyard wedding rental checklist?

Add the basics a venue normally covers: lighting for after sunset, a backdrop or canopy for the ceremony and a plan for power. Note that Rent My Wedding’s tripod backdrops are designed for indoor use only.

What goes on a wedding rentals list?

List each item by area, with the quantity, size and color. Add the measurements that set those quantities, such as wall length and chair count, and the delivery and return dates.