What's Included in Wedding Decor and Rentals: A Complete Guide
When you start planning the visual side of your wedding, you'll quickly realize there's more to it than just flowers. Linens, chargers, arches, backdrops, candles, lanterns, table settings, and dozens of other small pieces all come together to create the look you want for your day.
Most couples don't realize how much decor a wedding actually involves until they start planning. This guide walks through what's typically included in wedding decor and rentals, how they work alongside your wedding flowers, and how Lloyd's Florist & Events handles both so you don't have to coordinate between multiple vendors.
What Are Wedding Decor and Rentals?
Wedding decor refers to the design elements that shape the look and feel of your ceremony and reception, beyond the flowers themselves. Rentals are the physical items used to create that look, including everything from table linens to ceremony arches.
Together, decor and rentals turn an empty venue into a designed environment. They give your wedding visual cohesion, define the style of the event, and add the details that make a space feel intentional rather than improvised.
What's Typically Included in Wedding Decor and Rentals?
Every wedding is different, but here are the main categories most couples will consider.
Table Linens
Tablecloths, runners, napkins, and overlays come in a wide range of colors, fabrics, and textures. The right linens set the tone for your reception tables and tie your color palette together. Options range from clean, classic whites to richly textured velvets, sheers, and patterns.
Chargers and Place Settings
Chargers are decorative plates that sit beneath the dinner plate. They add a polished, layered look to each place setting. Place setting elements may also include menus, napkins, name cards, and decorative elements like rosemary sprigs or small floral touches.
Centerpieces and Reception Florals
While these are technically florals, they sit on top of the rental items and work in tandem with your linens, chargers, and candles. The full visual of a reception table is the combination of all of these pieces.
Candles and Lanterns
Candles are one of the most versatile decor elements. Taper candles, pillar candles, votives, and lanterns can be used on tables, along aisles, on bar tops, and in lounge areas. They add warmth, atmosphere, and a sense of intimacy, especially for evening receptions.
Ceremony Arches and Backdrops
Arches frame your ceremony and create a focal point for your vows and your photos. Options include traditional arches covered in florals and greenery, more modern geometric structures, and full floral backdrops. For receptions, backdrops also work behind sweetheart tables, head tables, and photo areas.
Pipe and Drape
Pipe and drape is the framework for fabric backdrops, room dividers, and event styling. It's often used to soften a venue, hide unattractive walls, or create distinct spaces within a larger room.
Tables and Chairs
Many couples rent tables and chairs beyond what their venue provides. Options include rounds, long banquet tables, farm tables, mixed seating layouts, and a wide range of chair styles from chiavari to cross-back and beyond.
Pedestals, Columns, and Display Pieces
These elements are used to elevate florals, support floral installations, or create visual interest in the ceremony or reception space. They're especially useful in large rooms or outdoor settings.
Bar and Buffet Styling
The bar and buffet tables benefit from the same design attention as your dining tables. Small floral accents, decorative trays, signage, and styled displays can transform a functional area into a designed one.
Sweetheart Tables and Head Tables
The table where you and your partner sit is one of the most photographed elements of the entire reception. A styled sweetheart table or head table typically includes specialty linens, florals, candles, and sometimes a backdrop or floral installation.
Lounge Areas and Specialty Spaces
Some couples include lounge seating, photo areas, or specialty zones at their wedding. These spaces use a mix of furniture rentals, lighting, candles, florals, and decor to create distinct experiences for guests throughout the evening.
What Are Wedding Rentals Not Typically Included In?
A few elements that often come from other vendors:
Lighting and AV equipment, which usually comes from a specialized lighting company
Tents and outdoor structures, often handled by tent rental companies
Photo booths and entertainment equipment, typically from those specific vendors
Catering equipment and serving items, which usually come from your caterer
Your wedding florist should be able to coordinate with these other vendors to ensure everything works together visually.
How Wedding Decor and Rentals Work Alongside Wedding Flowers
When wedding decor and rentals come from the same team as your wedding flowers, everything is designed to work together. The linens complement the centerpieces. The candles enhance the floral installations. The chargers match the color palette of the bouquets.
This cohesion is hard to achieve when you're coordinating between multiple vendors. Each one designs based on their own piece of the puzzle, and small inconsistencies can add up. When one team handles both, the entire wedding has a unified look.
It also saves you significant time. Instead of coordinating with three or four different decor and rental companies, you have one team that handles every piece.
How to Decide What Wedding Decor and Rentals You Need
A few questions that help guide the decision:
What does your venue provide? Some venues come fully equipped with tables, chairs, linens, and basic decor. Others are essentially a blank space that requires everything to be brought in.
What's your overall style? A more elaborate, full-design wedding will involve more decor pieces. A simpler, more pared-back wedding may need less.
What's your budget? Decor and rentals are a significant part of most wedding budgets. Knowing your range helps your florist recommend the right mix of pieces to bring your vision to life.
How much do you want to coordinate yourself? If you'd rather have one team handle everything, full wedding design with decor and rentals included is the easier path.
If you're not sure what you need, a consultation is the easiest way to talk it through.
How Lloyd's Florist & Events Handles Wedding Decor and Rentals
Lloyd's Florist & Events offers a full range of wedding decor and rental items, including linens, chargers, candles, lanterns, arches, backdrops, pipe and drape, pedestals, and more. We work with couples at every level of service, from a few key pieces to complete full wedding design.
Our team handles delivery, setup, styling, and breakdown for every event, which means every piece is placed exactly as designed before your guests arrive. You don't have to worry about who's placing the centerpieces, hanging the drape, or arranging the candles. We take care of all of it.
We've designed weddings at venues throughout Louisville and the surrounding areas, and we know how to work in a wide range of spaces. Whether your venue is fully equipped or a blank canvas, we'll help you create something cohesive and beautiful.
Ready to Talk About Your Wedding Decor and Rentals?
If you're starting to think about decor and rentals for your wedding, the easiest first step is to book a consultation. We'll talk through your venue, your vision, and your priorities, and help you understand what's possible for your wedding.
You can also reach us at (502) 968-5428 or stop by our shop at 9216 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between wedding florals and wedding decor?
Wedding florals include the flower arrangements for your wedding, like bouquets, ceremony arrangements, and centerpieces. Wedding decor refers to the other visual design elements, including linens, chargers, candles, lanterns, arches, backdrops, and table settings. Together, they create the full look of your wedding.
What rentals do I actually need for my wedding?
It depends on your venue and your vision. Most weddings include some combination of linens, candles, place settings, and ceremony decor. A consultation with your florist or designer can help you understand what your specific venue requires and what would enhance your overall look.
Can Lloyd's Florist & Events provide both wedding flowers and rentals?
Yes. Lloyd's Florist & Events offers wedding flowers, decor, and rentals as part of a complete service. You can work with us at any level, from a few key pieces to a complete full wedding design.
Do you handle setup and breakdown of wedding rentals?
Yes. Our team handles delivery, setup, styling, and breakdown for every wedding. This includes placing centerpieces, hanging drape, arranging candles, setting up arches and backdrops, and removing everything after your event.
How far in advance should I book wedding decor and rentals?
We recommend booking 9 to 18 months before your wedding, especially for popular dates. Booking your florist and rental partner together saves time and creates a more cohesive look for your wedding day.