Deciding whether to hire or buy your wedding props is one of the many tricky wedding decisions you’ll have to make. In today’s blog we explore the benefits and drawbacks of each and take the headache out of styling your wedding day …
Five reasons to buy your props
1. Perfection guaranteed
While you can be sure that most of the items you hire will be in great condition, it’s nice to know that you’re the first to use a particular item on your special day.
2. More flexibility and personalisation
If you’re got specific ideas in mind when it comes to your big day props, it may make sense to buy them. While there is some choice out there when it comes to hiring, there’s not half as much as you’d find with shop-bought or personalised goods. For example, hired crockery may not be available in the colours or style you want, but buying your own means you have complete control over the finished look.
Image courtesy of www.frenchweddingstyle.com
Image courtesy of www.stylemepretty.com
3. Minimise your wedding stress
Managing multiple wedding suppliers can be a little stressful at times, especially when you’ve got to pick up what seems like 101 things ahead of the big day. However, when buying your props you can be sure everything is sorted weeks before your wedding and loaded up in your car ahead of styling your day.
4. Something to keep forever
Wedding keepsakes are a lovely way to remember your special day. From styled birdcages to display in your bedroom and gift to friends and family, to pretty table plans you can admire and reminisce about in years to come.
Image courtesy of blog.weddingstar.com
Image courtesy of www.ebay.co.uk
5. Something to sell-on
If you’re not keen on keeping all your wedding props, you could choose to sell the items on. There are plenty of auction websites and pre-loved sites that are ideal for selling on used wedding items. You’ll also be more than likely to make the majority of your money back, should you sell the items, meaning your total outlays may end up being less than paying for hire items.
Five reasons to hire your props
1. Wedding-approved guarantee
If you decide to hire your props from trusty suppliers you can be sure you’ll be choosing something on-trend and fitting for a modern wedding day. Suppliers only tend to stock the trendiest of props, simply due to storage space and demand.
Image courtesy of www.stylemepretty.com
2. Budget-friendly
If your wedding budget is tight and you can’t afford the more expensive outlays from the start, it may be wise to hire. While some hire items don’t always come in significantly cheaper than items that are available to buy in bulk, there is always enough of a saving to make hire worthwhile over buying upfront.
3. Minimal fuss
When you buy a hire item it’s ready to go. For example, a ladder table plan will often come styled appropriately for weddings, and require absolutely no DIY.
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4. One-of-a-kind items
There are some items that are simply unavailable in the shops. Dramatic photo booth backdrops and light-up letters are only available from industry professionals, and trying to source these items to buy wouldn’t be at all economical.
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5. Set-up sometimes included
Some suppliers look after set-up as well as hire of items. This takes away the stresses of setting things up on your own, knowing you’ve got a professional on-hand. Likewise, many crockery supply companies will also wash-up the items on your behalf, saving you a huge post-wedding job!
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Buying Vs Hiring: How the final prices add up
We’ve taken a look at a few of the most popular hire items to see whether it’s cheaper to hire or buy…
Vintage crockery trios
Image courtesy of www.stylemepretty.com
To hire: From £1.95
To buy: From £4.99
Large chalkboard (for signage)
Image courtesy of www.100layercake.com
To hire: From £10.00
To buy: From £18.00
Vintage suitcases
Image courtesy of www.boho-weddings.com
To hire: From £10.00
To buy: From £15.00
Large light-up letters
Image courtesy of www.weddinggawker.com
To hire: From £150.00
To buy: From £700.00 (for similar size)
5m luxury bunting
Image courtesy of www.bespoke-bride.com
To hire: From £8.50
To buy: From £40.00
Which one is best for you?
If you’re looking for that extra degree of flexibility and personalisation when it comes to your wedding props, buying is probably best for you. Do remember that buying your items will usually come with a bigger price tag – but you will be left with props you can treasure forever, or sell on fairly easily at a later date.
If you haven’t got much budget to spend upfront, then hiring your items will be your best bet. We’d also recommend hire items to those brides that aren’t keen on getting creative, and want something styled by the professionals and ready-to-go.
Of course, it’s also important to consider the type of item you’re looking for. Some things are simply impossible to hire, while others are not available from traditional retailers. In these circumstances you’ll only have one option available to you.
