Buy It or Rent It? The Real Math Brides Aren't Doing Before They Shop for Wedding Decor
You're scrolling Amazon at 11pm. You find a set of 12 wooden lanterns for $47 and you think — perfect. That's $47 for something I'd probably pay more to rent. Easy decision.
Except those lanterns are going to sit in your garage for two years after the wedding. And you still have to get them to the venue. And fill them with candles. And pick them up at the end of the night when you're exhausted and wearing a full-length dress.
That's the math most couples skip. Let's actually run it.
What You're Really Paying For When You Buy
The sticker price is the easy part. Here's where it gets messier.
Shipping — that $47 lantern set probably has $12 shipping behind it. So now it's $59. And if anything shows up damaged (which happens more than you'd think), you're filing a return with three weeks left until your wedding.
Storage — everything you order has to live somewhere between now and the big day. Not just one thing. All of it. In your living room, garage, or spare bedroom. For months.
Getting it there — somebody has to haul it all to the venue. That might mean renting a van, borrowing a truck, or burning your uncle's entire Saturday. Either way, it costs something, and the trip back at the end of the night is nobody's favorite part of the day.
Setup — it doesn't arrange itself. If that job falls to you or someone in your wedding party, that's real time on a day when you don't have any to spare.
And then what? After the wedding, everything you bought has to go somewhere. And, don't even get me started on what a mess all those table runners, votives, flowers, and table number come back in. At the end of the night (after a very long day), everyone who is 'helping' you teardown is just ready to go home, so it all gets thrown into boxes and put in your cousin's girlfriend's car. Who knows when you'll get that box back and what it holds. Most couples post items on Facebook Marketplace trying to sell their decor for half of what they paid. That platform is full of wedding stuff from people who bought instead of rented and are now just trying to get something back.
What Renting Actually Gets You
When you rent, you're paying for the piece for the event. That's it. We deliver, we pick up, and you don't spend your Sunday morning loading a truck. (note - we do offer a self pickup and setup option, but re-read what I posted above - do you really want to deal with that?)
Here's one thing that doesn't get talked about enough — the rental window. At Burlap and Lace, your rental period is five full days. We deliver or you pick up two days before your event, and we don't come get it (or you drop it off) until two days after. That means no scrambling the morning of, no rushing to return things before you've even had a chance to catch your breath. You've got time on both ends.
And because we don't have order minimums, you rent exactly what you need. Two shepherd hooks and a card box? That's your order. You're not stuffing an invoice with things you don't want just to hit a package threshold.
Pricing is on the website. No phone tag. No "we'll get you a quote after we chat."
The Pieces You Can't Just Buy Somewhere
You can find the basics anywhere — generic lanterns, plain arches, folding chairs. And they look like it, too.
What you can't find on Amazon is Mick's hand-built wooden cross. Or the antique cake table. Or the Victorian brocade couch that's been at more Central Illinois ceremonies than we can count.
Those aren't things we sourced from a catalog. They're one of a kind, and when they're booked for your date, they're yours. No one else gets them that day. That's not something you can replicate with an online order, no matter how long you search.
When Does Buying Actually Make Sense?
Honestly? Sometimes it does. A ring bearer pillow you want to keep. Vases you already own. Personal things that wouldn't go through a rental company anyway.
But for the statement pieces — the furniture, the specialty linens, the ceremony arch, the things that make your day feel different from the wedding at the same venue three weekends earlier — renting almost always wins on cost, convenience, and sanity.
Before You Add Something to Your Cart
Ask yourself:
What does this actually cost once you add shipping and figure out transportation?
Where does it live until the wedding?
How are you going to get it all to the venue before the ceremony and back home after?
What happens to it after you get it back home?
Will you actually use this again, or are you just telling yourself that?
If those answers don't hold up, renting is probably the smarter call.
Want to See the Inventory in Person?
We do free showroom consultations — come in, look at everything, ask all your questions and set up a sample tablescape to see the items in person. It's by appointment, so you're not wandering through a warehouse hoping someone can help you.
After your appointment, we will put together a quote and send it your way within a few days, so you can look it over at home without feeling like you're being rushed into anything.
Or, do some research online yourself. Most of our inventory is online with pricing, so you can check out what things might cost to rent before ever stepping foot in our showroom. And, if you are not located in Central Illinois, but are getting married here, then we can always do virtual consultations as well.
Now, stop scrolling through Facebook Marketplace and book your complimentary consultation today!
About us: Burlap and Lace Event Decor Rentals is a small family-owned business located in the heart of Central Illinois. We offer rentals of decor, linens, furniture, backdrops, tables, and chairs for your next event. We will deliver and set up at your location or you can choose to pick up and drop off your own rental items and set them up yourself. We pride ourselves on our extensive, high-quality inventory, excellent customer service and reasonable prices. Find out how we can help assist you with your next event. Reach out to us to book a free consultation.
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