Event Decor: What You Should Rent, What You Should Buy

There are so many event decor choices available - do you take the standard venue decor package, make your own decor, rent some items, or buy it to keep it?

Here's a guide to help you decide whether to rent, buy or make your own.

DIY
If you have the talent AND time, then definitely make your own decor.

While having the talent is certainly important to getting a professionally finished product, running out of time will mean you make mistakes and have to redo your items.

For example, if you have an in-house graphic design team you'll probably want to create your own invitations, signage, table numbers and menus, for example.

Another example. If you have a maintenance or building team, you may prefer to construct your expo stand or a standalone bar.

But if your design goals are more complex than your team's ability or time to spare, it may be best to outsource.

Rent
Apart from your function space, other items you should consider renting is your event decor.

Chances are your guests will have seen the existing standard venue decor at a previous event - and if you want to wow them, you'll need to hire items to give your event a fresh new look.

You should definitely hire event decor that you're unlikely to use on a regular basis, such as a marquee, event furniture, glamorous cutlery, table numbers, mirror bases, lighting (from festoon strings and colour wash effects to marquee letters) and display plinths.

Hire decor items that make knockout conversation pieces for your guests that you really have no future use for besides your event. 

Buy
Expect to buy any decor that you can own and enjoy in your own home and/or office, that you don't know how to make look professional, and/or that is personalised, perishable (ie floral) or edible (food).

You should expect to buy items with calligraphy, most decorative installations, food, personalised signage and highly customised corporate decorations.

Enjoyed this? Discover how to choose and hire event furniture and chairs.