Planning your wedding involves hundreds of choices, but one of the most challenging decisions is decor. From table linens to arches to candle holders, those gorgeous extras can add up quickly and really impact your bottom line.

One decision many couples face early on is whether they should rent their decor or buy it outright. The answer isn’t the same for everyone. What it comes down to is storage, style, and your post-wedding plans.

Let’s take a close look at the pros and cons of renting vs. buying your wedding decor, including a side-by-side cost breakdown, hidden fees, and tips on deciding what’s worth investing in.

How the Numbers Stack Up for Rental vs. Purchase Prices

A beautiful wedding set up is worth every penny! Photo Credit: Vitor Monthay

Before diving into the logistics, let’s break down the average cost differences between renting and buying some of the most common wedding decor items.

For table linens, renting will cost you $12-$20 per table, while buying will run you $15-$30. Chargers are about $3 per to rent and $5 to buy. Votive candle holders are less than a dollar to rent each, but can run as much as $5 each to purchase yourself. Need numbers for the tables? These are about $3 to rent and can run as high as $10 each to make or buy.

Arches or backdrops are often big-ticket items. Renting can run anywhere from $150 to $400, depending on the quality. You can buy or make these for around $200-$600. Easels for signage will cost $10-$20 each to rent and about $15-60 to buy or DIY.

Finally, centerpieces can be very costly to buy or make, running as high as $100 each depending on what vibe you’re going for. You can rent pre-made centerpieces or items to build your decor for under $50 each.

At first, renting often seems cheaper, especially when you're comparing per-item prices. But don’t forget that you’re not just paying for the item itself. There are other costs, some of them less obvious, that can add up quickly to make it just as expensive as purchasing them outright.

What Buying Your Wedding Decor Really Means

A barn wedding is elevated with rented lighting and simple tablescapes. Photo Credit: Abby Savage

Buying your decor means you’ll own every detail, but with that ownership comes responsibility. Here’s what you’ll need to manage if you go the DIY route.

Pre-Wedding Storage: You’ll need a safe, dry place to store all your decor leading up to the big day. If you don’t have a garage, basement, or extra closet, this can quickly get overwhelming in your living space. Plus, if you trust a loved one with storage and something goes wrong, you could end up with hurt feelings and additional stress.
Transport and Setup: Renting often includes delivery and pickup, or even setting up. Buying means you or your loved ones are hauling boxes and setting things up yourselves, often at dawn on the wedding day.
Cleaning: Wax spills, water spots, and smudges from handling? That’s on you. Be prepared to clean, polish, and prep everything yourself or find someone who will. Minor imperfections will tarnish your overall vision.
Post-Wedding Storage: Don’t forget, everything you buy has to go somewhere after the wedding. If you’re not selling it right away, you’ll need a game plan to store the decor for reuse or to sell at a later date.

When Renting Comes With Surprise Fees

Renting might seem easier and cleaner, but as always, you have to read the fine print. Some vendors advertise low rental rates that skyrocket once all the extras are added in.

Watch for delivery and pickup fees. These can range from $50 to over $300, depending on the size of your order, the distance they have to travel, and when your wedding ends.

You’ll also need to ask about cleaning fees. Some rental companies will charge cleaning or restocking fees for the items. This is especially true if you’re renting fabric items like linens or using items in spaces where they are likely to be returned dirty.

Some vendors will charge you 5-15% of your order total to cover accidental damage of the items. However, this version of rental insurance doesn’t cover loss or theft. If you turn it down and something goes wrong, you’ll often be paying big to replace the items.

Finally, some companies won’t even rent to you unless you meet a minimum purchase amount. If you’re only looking to rent a few pieces, you may get hit with a surcharge that will make buying more economical.
Always ask for an itemized quote that includes fees, taxes, waivers, and delivery before signing any rental agreement. Unsure? Ask all the questions!

The Buying Struggles: Resale Isn’t Always easy

A bride works hard to resell her wedding decor. Photo Credit: Swello

One of the biggest perks of buying your wedding decor is the idea that you can resell it afterward to earn back some of your investment. But that’s not always as simple as it sounds.

First, the market is saturated. If you check out Facebook Marketplace, you’ll find thousands of listings. It may take weeks or months for your items to sell. Or worse, it may never sell, and you’ll have to drop your asking price significantly.

You’ll also need to consider the condition of the decor. Items that are chipped, scuffed, or stained with wax will be harder or impossible to sell. If you don’t clean and store everything correctly, your resale value will plummet.

It also takes a lot of time and energy to see the reselling process through. You’ll need to photograph the items, answer buyer queries, arrange to meet up, and deal with no-shows. Plus, what’s the likelihood that someone out there is looking for your exact wedding vibe? Unless you went super trendy, finding a buyer may be challenging.

Unless you’re really motivated or working with someone who loves reselling, it may not be worth the stress.

What to Buy and What to Rent

The best approach might be a hybrid one: rent the big stuff and buy the little things. Here’s a rule of thumb to help decide what’s worth investing in.

Items Worth Buying

Table numbers and signage: These are light, easy to store, and often customizable. They’re also small enough to keep or give away and inexpensive enough to toss if needed.
Votives and candle holders: These often come in multi-packs at big box stores and can be reused for parties, holidays, or home decor, especially if you pick a classic design.
Easels, picture frames, and welcome signs: Great for DIY couples, these often resell well since they can be used with any theme or event.
Decor you’ll keep: If you love a mirror, lantern, or garland so much that you’d decorate your home with it afterward, buy it! When you display it in your home, you’ll remember your special day for decades to come.

Items Better to Rent

Linens: Storing, laundering, and pressing dozens of linens is no small task. Let the pros handle it, so you can spend the days after your wedding relaxing with your new spouse!
Large furniture or arches: These are expensive to ship, store, and resell. Renting often comes with delivery and setup, so hire someone to bring and set up your big-ticket items
Mass quantities: If you need 100 or more of something, like charger plates or matching candle holders, renting is usually easier and cheaper. Do you really have space to store that many items in your home?

The Risk of Mixing Rentals with DIY Buys

Rented seating and DIY glassware? Yes please! Photo Credit: Pablo Lancaster Jones

Another overlooked challenge with a rent-and-buy approach is consistency and cohesion. Not all whites are the same shade, and metallic finishes can range from matte to mirrored and everything in between. Mixing pieces from different sources can create a visual inconsistency that stands out, especially in photos.

To avoid a mismatched look, request swatches ahead of time before placing your order. You can take them shopping to ensure all of your DIY purchases match perfectly.

When buying items online, coordinate colors ahead of time. Look for listings with clear color descriptions that denote the shade, such as ivory and champange rather than white and gold.

You can also avoid this pitfall by sticking to one style per category. If you’re using geometric gold lanterns, don’t mix in rustic centerpieces to avoid that mismatched look. Of course, if eclectic is your vibe, then go for it!

Logistics You Can’t Overlook

Whether you rent or buy, timing plays a huge role in your wedding setup and takedown. Here’s what to factor into your planning:

If You’re Renting

Confirm pickup and drop-off times: Ask the rental company about the timing of their process. Will the rental company set up and collect on the same day? Do they charge extra for Sunday pickups or late-night returns?
Check venue access hours: This is a potential oversight that could throw a wrench in your whole day. Make sure your venue allows enough time for setup before and takedown after the event.
Designate a point person: You’ll need someone (not the bride or groom) to coordinate with vendors the day of. This could be a wedding coordinator, venue manager, or even a trusted friend or family member who wants to be helpful.

If You’re Buying

Start shopping early: It’s unlikely you’ll find the perfect items on your first browse or shopping trip. Allow time for shipping, returns, and DIY prep.
Create an inventory list: Stay organized! Keep track of what you’ve bought, where it’s stored, and how it will be transported. No matter how savvy you are, it’s so easy to forget items purchased early on.
Recruit a setup crew: Whether it’s friends, family, or a hired coordinator, you’ll need a team to get everything in place and packed up afterward. Be clear with expectations and send a detailed list to each person. This ensures that the items are set out and packed up correctly, making it easier to resell for the highest price.

Your Decor, Your Rules

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to renting vs. buying your wedding decor. If your style is specific and you love to DIY, buying might be the way to go. If your focus is convenience and simplicity, renting can take a lot of stress off your plate.

Either way, go in with clear expectations about costs, responsibilities, and what matters most to you. A beautifully decorated wedding doesn’t need to be expensive; it just needs to reflect your story and your style.

And remember, no one’s going to remember whether the lanterns were rented or bought, they’ll remember how your day felt.

Rent or Buy Your Wedding Decor? A Real-World Look at What to Know