Planning your dream wedding doesn’t have to break the bank. With the average American couple spending around $30,000 on their special day, figuring out how to save money on wedding rentals can feel overwhelming. This is especially true when every upgrade seems small but adds up quickly. Chairs, tables, linens, and décor all offer choices that affect your total cost.
The good news is that a few smart decisions can go a long way. We’ve put together 12 practical strategies you can use to save money on rentals for a wedding, so you can spend less where it doesn’t matter and focus your budget where it does.
- What Couples Tend to Overspend on for Weddings
- 12 Smart Ways to Save Money on Wedding Rentals
- Where to Find Affordable Wedding Rentals
What Couples Tend to Overspend on for Weddings
When couples start looking into how to save money on wedding rentals, the biggest wins usually come from avoiding a few common (and expensive) over-upgrades. Here’s where costs tend to creep up the fastest.
- Upgraded chairs for every guest: Chiavari or cross-back chairs can double or triple seating costs—without adding much impact at scale.
- Premium linens on every table: Specialty fabrics like velvet or satin look great—but using them everywhere quickly adds hundreds.
- Charger plates and extra table settings: Small per-person add-ons ($2–$5 each) turn into big totals across 100+ guests.
- Oversized or unnecessary tents: Renting more space than you need, or renting a tent when your venue has a backup space, can cost thousands.
- Over-decorating guest tables: Layering multiple rental items (linens, chargers, upgraded chairs) on every table adds up fast with minimal visual payoff.
- Renting items your venue already includes: Not checking what’s provided can lead to duplicate rentals and wasted budget.
- Using multiple rental vendors: Extra delivery fees and minimums from different vendors can quietly inflate your total.
The takeaway: most overspending occurs when upgrades are applied to every guest or table, not from a single big decision.
12 Smart Ways to Save Money on Wedding Rentals
Did you know that couples and event planners typically allocate between $425 and $1,000 for rentals, with an average expenditure of $650?
This figure can fluctuate based on factors like location, guest count, and the specific items rented. Given that rentals include essential items such as tents, tables, chairs, linens, and decor, strategic planning in this area can yield substantial savings. In this section, we’ll explore practical tips to help you minimize rental expenses without compromising the quality and ambiance of your special day.
1. Choose Folding Chairs Over Chiavari Chairs
This is one of the easiest ways to save money without really changing the overall look of your wedding.
Chiavari chairs are popular for a reason: they look nice! But they can cost significantly more per chair. When you multiply that by 100+ guests, it adds up fast.
Folding chairs (also known as garden chairs), on the other hand, are much more budget-friendly and can still look clean and polished, especially if you’re renting from a high-quality vendor. The reality is, most guests don’t notice what kind of chair they sat in. What they do notice is the overall vibe of the space. If your setup is cohesive, even simple folding chairs blend right in.
If you want to elevate the look a bit, you can always:
- Add simple ribbons or sashes
- Tie on greenery or florals
- Keep everything neutral and let your décor stand out
This is a “downgrade” on paper, but not in experience, and it can save you hundreds without impacting how your wedding feels.
2. Use The Same Chairs for Ceremony + Reception
A lot of couples don’t realize this, but you don’t need to rent two separate sets of chairs for your ceremony and reception. Using the same chairs for both is one of the simplest ways to cut your seating rental costs in half.
Here’s how it works:
After the ceremony, your chairs are moved (or “flipped”) into the reception space while guests are at cocktail hour. This is a super common setup, and most venues or planners are used to coordinating it.
When you’re talking to your rental company or planner, just ask something like: “Can we reuse our ceremony chairs for the reception and have them flipped during cocktail hour?”
They’ll let you know if the timeline allows for it, who handles the labor (venue staff vs rental company), and if there’s a setup/flip fee involved
But even with a small labor fee, you’ll almost always spend less than renting a second set of chairs.
A couple quick tips to make this work smoothly:
- Plan for a cocktail hour so there’s time to move everything
- Keep ceremony and reception layouts relatively simple
- Confirm logistics with both your venue and rental vendor ahead of time
Reusing chairs is a behind-the-scenes swap your guests won’t even notice, but your budget definitely will!
3. Skip Chair Cushions if They’re an Upcharge
This one’s pretty simple: most of the time, you just don’t need them. If you add chair cushions to chairs that don’t come with them, this can add an extra $1–$3 per seat, which doesn’t sound like much until you multiply it across your entire guest list. That can easily add up to a couple of hundred dollars for something most people won’t even think about.
And honestly? You want your guests up, dancing, and having a good time, not sitting long enough to critique the chair comfort anyway.
That said, this isn’t about going too bare-bones. If you’re using nice, sturdy folding chairs from a quality rental vendor, they’ll already be comfortable enough for a typical ceremony and reception. You’re not putting people on flimsy plastic lawn chairs.
And some vendors include cushions in the rental, so this is all about seeing what’s included and avoiding an unnecessary upcharge.
The only time adding cushions really make sense is if you’re planning:
- A long, formal seated dinner
- An extended ceremony (think 1+ hour)
- Or a more traditional ballroom-style event
For most budget weddings, skipping chair cushions is an easy, low-risk cut that saves money without affecting your guests’ experience.
4. Rent Standard Flatware Instead of Upgraded Styles
Upgraded flatware, like gold, black, or brushed finishes, can look great in styled photos, but it’s one of those details that rarely makes a difference for guests in real life.
Standard silver flatware is included with most rental packages and gets the job done perfectly. Once the table is set and the event is in full swing, very few people notice (or remember) what their forks look like.
If you do upgrade, on the other hand, it usually comes with a per-person cost. Even a small upcharge can add up quickly across your guest count.
If you’re trying to be strategic with your budget, this is an easy place to keep things simple. You’ll still have a clean, polished table setting without paying extra for something that doesn’t really impact the experience.
If you do love the look of upgraded flatware, a good compromise is to use it just for:
- Your sweetheart or head table
- Styled detail shots
Standard flatware keeps things classic and functional, freeing up budget for details your guests will actually notice.
5. Skip Charger Plates
Charger plates are one of those upgrades that look like a small add-on—but can quietly add a few hundred dollars to your rental total. They’re typically priced per guest, often around $2–$5 each. So for a 100-person wedding, that’s an extra $200–$500 for something that’s mostly decorative.
And while they can elevate a place setting in photos, most guests don’t notice them once the meal starts. They’re quickly covered by plates, cleared by catering staff, and rarely remembered afterward.
If you’re trying to figure out how to save money on wedding rentals, this is one of the easiest cuts to make without impacting your overall experience.
If you still want a polished table look, you can:
- Use clean, well-fitted linens
- Add a simple runner
- Let your centerpieces do the work
Charger plates are nice to have, but not necessary, and skipping them is an easy way to save without anyone noticing.
6. Choose Polyester Linens Instead of Premium Fabrics
Upgrading linens is one of the fastest ways to inflate your rental budget without a huge payoff.
Premium fabrics like satin, velvet, or textured linens look great up close, but they come at a noticeable markup compared to standard polyester options. And once your tables are set with centerpieces, plates, and glassware, the difference becomes a lot less obvious.
Polyester linens are popular for a reason:
- They’re clean, simple, and consistent
- They photograph well
- They work with almost any style or color palette
Most guests aren’t walking around feeling tablecloth fabrics; they’re taking in the overall look of the space. As long as everything feels cohesive, basic linens blend right in.
If you love the idea of upgraded linens, a good middle ground is to use them selectively at sweetheart or head tables, and on cake or display tables.
7. DIY & Purchase Smaller Decor Items
Creating your own wedding decorations is not only a great way to save money, but it also adds a personal touch that can make your big day feel even more special. Here are some specific ideas on what you can easily DIY for your event:
- Centerpieces: One of the most popular DIY decor projects for weddings and events is creating unique centerpieces. Use items like mason jars, vintage bottles, or rustic wood slices as bases. Fill them with combinations of flowers, candles, or fairy lights.
- Table Runners and Tablecloths: If you have basic sewing skills, making your own table runners and tablecloths can be a cost-effective way to customize your wedding decor. Choose fabrics that match your wedding colors or themes. Simple patterns or even burlap can create an elegant or rustic look, depending on your style.
- Signage: Welcome signs, seating charts, and directional signs can all be made at home using materials like wood, chalkboards, or even upcycled frames. Check out Instructables for step-by-step guides on creating professional-looking signs that guide your guests while enhancing the decor.
- Favors: DIY wedding favors are a lovely way to thank your guests for celebrating with you. Homemade items like scented candles, teas, or even jars of local honey or homemade jam can be both cost-effective and charming.
8. Schedule Rental Pickup During Normal Business Hours
Pickup timing is one of those hidden costs that can sneak up on you if you’re not paying attention.
Many rental companies charge extra for late-night or after-hours pickups, especially if your event ends late and everything needs to be cleared out immediately. These fees can add up quickly, particularly for larger orders. A simple way to avoid this is to schedule pickup for the next day during normal business hours.
Here’s how to make that work:
- Confirm with your venue that items can stay overnight
- Make sure everything is gathered and ready for pickup
- Communicate timing clearly with your rental vendor
Most venues are used to this setup, and it’s often much more cost-effective than paying for a same-night breakdown.
9. Avoid Venues With Required Vendors
Sometimes, when you’re choosing a wedding venue, you might find that they have specific rules about using certain vendors for rentals like tables, chairs, or even lighting and sound equipment. It’s not very common, but it does happen, especially at venues with exclusive partnerships with rental companies.
These preferred vendors often charge higher prices due to their exclusive relationship with the venue, which can limit your ability to shop around for better deals. If you’re looking to save money on wedding expenses, this can make it practically impossible to cut costs or negotiate deals.
If you’re absolutely in love with the venue and are willing to adjust other budget areas to accommodate these higher rental costs, it might be worth the investment. But if budget is a concern, look for a venue with more flexibility in vendor choices.
10. Use as Few Vendors as Possible
Managing multiple vendors can quickly become a headache, not to mention the increased costs associated with delivery and service fees from each separate provider. One of the simplest ways to cut down on both stress and money spent is to consolidate your rentals as much as possible.
Using fewer vendors means fewer delivery fees, simpler coordination on the day of the event, and, often, the ability to negotiate better deals due to the higher volume of business you’re bringing to a single vendor. This is where Reventals can be a game-changer for your wedding planning!
Reventals simplifies the rental process by serving as your single point of contact for all your rental needs. Instead of having to research and reach out to multiple companies for everything from chairs and tables to linens and decor, Reventals does the legwork for you. We offer a vast range of rental options, allowing you to find exactly what you need to match your wedding theme and vision. Whether you’re looking for something specific, like vintage furniture, or just the essentials, we’ve got you covered.
11. Skip Expensive Lighting & Rent or Buy String Lights
If you want to save money on wedding expenses, cutting lighting costs is a great way to do it! String lights are generally inexpensive to purchase, especially if you keep an eye out for sales at places like Costco or Amazon. Often, you can buy them for less than it would cost to rent other types of wedding lighting. Unlike more complex lighting setups, string lights are easy to install. You can drape them over trees, line walkways, wrap them around beams or columns, or hang them above the reception area to create a starry night effect. This DIY approach saves on labor costs and rental fees.
If you prefer not to buy, string lights are also one of the more affordable lighting options available for rent. This is ideal for couples who don’t want to store them after the wedding or simply don’t want to deal with the labor of setting them up. Rental companies often offer various styles of string lights, including fairy lights, globe lights, and Edison bulb strings, so you can choose the type that best fits your wedding’s theme.
12. Ask Your Venue What They Have Available
When you’re picking out your wedding venue, remember to ask what is included with the rental space. You’d be surprised how many venues offer tables and chairs at no extra cost or for a very small fee. This can be a great way to save money on your wedding budget! These items are often plain, but that doesn’t mean your setup has to be basic or boring.
Instead of splurging on fancy furniture, you can allocate some of your budget to what’s already available. For example, renting linens and chair covers can completely transform the look of simple chairs and tables. These accessories are available in various colors and patterns, which allows you to add a personal touch and elevate the elegance of your venue without breaking the bank.
Planning a Wedding or Event? Reventals Can Help!
As you plan your special day, remember that managing a wedding budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the quality or the unique elements that make your celebration stand out. For all your rental needs—from tables and chairs to specialty decor—Reventals is here to simplify the process and help you find affordable options in your area.
So, let Reventals take the hassle out of finding and booking your wedding rentals. With us, you can focus more on enjoying the journey to your big day, confident that the details are being handled with care. Start planning with Reventals today!
