Ask Liz: Rentals and How To Swing Them

Dear Half-Angry,

I know, it sounds like a scam, doesn’t it, 300 glasses for 100 people. But, if you’re having an open bar, then that’s about right. First of all, guests will not – nor will they expect to – re-use their glass. The cocktail hour usually comes out to about 2 drinks/glasses per guest. Some of your guests will drink less, but some of them will make up for that (and you know how they are). And then the rest of your glass order is for the rest of the night…which is why you might want to bump that up to 400.

I know.

And you can’t get the exact number of plates per person either, especially if you’re having a buffet. And you need extra knives and forks. And napkins. You won’t use everything, but you need to have it, just in case. There’s no way to tell how much people are going to eat, or drink, or spill, or break.

If you think you’re going to have the time or resources to wash dishes in the back, you’re wrong. It’s easier to just get another $4.00 worth of glasses. But, the excess and uncertainty drives me a little nuts, too.

If you want a “definitive” answer for how much of this stuff you really should have on hand, talk to your caterer. You can be conservative with your numbers, but really, those are the people who are literally dishing it out, so find out what numbers they’re comfortable with.

REMEMBER REMEMBER REMEMBER to circle back to your rental company once you have an final rsvp count. 10 more guests is one more table, 10 more plates, ten more forks, etc.  Or that much less, you know what I mean? More than you need is annoying, but the worse thing ever is not having enough on your wedding day. Ever.

See you at the end of the aisle,