With large variety of styles and finishes available, rented flatware is the answer.
Let Rental Flatware Make Your Wedding or Event Shine
Appropriate flatware for your wedding or event is often a must. Which particular flatware items you end up renting often depend upon availability, but here are the main points to consider when renting flatware.
- Pattern. Flatware pattern selections vary among rental stores. Patterns often fall under the categories of classic, romantic or modern. Classic flatware motifs may include the use of shells and fluted columns, whereas flatware pieces characterized as romantic feature things like flowers, leaves or latticework. Modern flatware patterns often have clean and simple lines.
- Design. Since function trumps design when it comes to flatware, most rental stores predictably carry traditional designs. Some rental stores may carry funkier flatware designs, which have a secondary purpose, though. Examples of such designs include flatware pieces that have glowing handles for events in darkened venues, utensils with curled-under or tent-shaped handles that work well for individual servings of appetizers or flatware that has looped handles for hanging on a rack at the buffet. Other innovative styles of flatware include rope and twig handles. When choosing a design of flatware to rent for your wedding event, be careful to pick something that will accent your place settings without overpowering them.
- Material. Most rental stores offer flatware that runs the gamut from stainless steel to silver or silver/gold plate, but some stores also may carry sets in more unique materials, such as copper plate or bamboo. Sterling silverware — usually reserved for the most elegant of occasions — contains enough pure silver to meet federal requirements, but also other metal alloys to remain strong. Although, silver-plate flatware pieces resemble sterling silverware, they actually only contain a thin film of silver over a less expensive flatware, such as stainless steel. One current trend finds even high-end rental customers are turning from silverware to high-polished, stainless-steel flatware. When renting stainless-steel flatware, you may hear the terms, 18/0, 18/8 and 18/10. Do not let these numbers confuse you. They refer to the respective percentages of chromium and nickel in the alloy used to make the stainless steel. A higher number means a better quality of flatware because it will be shinier and harder.
- Size. Most flatware pieces remain relatively the same size from set to set. However, bigger and heavier oversized flatware pieces are becoming increasingly popular. These larger pieces perfectly balance oversized dinnerware.
- Serving pieces. The flatware serving pieces needed to rent depend upon your wedding or event menu. In addition to the usual salad/dessert fork, dinner fork, teaspoon and knife, rent cocktail forks, soupspoons, steak knives or iced-tea spoons may also be needed, if menu items require them. Keep in mind, too, that desserts and beverages may call for renting extra spoons or forks. Serving utensils to match the flatware can also be rented.
Contact your local, ARA-affiliated, rental store for information on available rental products and services to meet your wedding flatware needs. To locate the rental store nearest you, use the Rental Store Quick Locator above.