Tuesday, 26 May 2015

5 Reasons to Choose Par-Tee Rentals for your Linen Rental Needs


At Par-Tee Rentals we like to think that our linens set us apart from the competition. So what makes our linens so special? Here's 5 reasons Par-Tee Rentals linens blow away those of the competition.

1.  Our buyers and designers attend trade-shows, seminars and training courses to stay up to date with all the current trends and styles.

We know what's hot, and how to achieve the look you want for your special day. Sometimes knowing different ways of using the same product can make it look completely different

2.  We have the largest selection of colours, sizes and styles in the area.

If you want it, chances are we have it in stock. Nobody wants to settle when it comes to their dream wedding and we don't feel you should have to. We offer napkins, overlays, round cloths, banquet cloths, chair wraps/covers, in many colours and in many different fabrics
With almost 5000 hanger of linens, over 6000 chair covers, over 40,000 napkins, we are sure to have something you will like. Par-Tee Rentals also crates custom linens and we always have something new going on.

3.  Our on-site laundry facilities allow us to have complete control over how our linens are laundered and handled.

With our own laundry facilities dedicated to laundering our linens after each and every rental we can guarantee you that our product is clean and free from unsightly stains.

4.  Nobody else has Aunt Peg.

Part Wonder-Woman, part Laundry-Goddess, Aunt Peg rules over the laundry room with a keen eye and sharp attention to detail. Nobody knows how to tackle those tough stains quite like our favourite laundry lady.

5.  Our reputation matters to us.

Your special day truly matters to us. We want to leave you with nothing but good things to say about your experience working with us. The highest compliment is when our customers become our biggest advocates, and we LOVE it!

Thursday, 30 April 2015

Race to the Bottom


Does anyone really win during a price war? At a glance it's hard to see the downside to a hugely discounted price on your event equipment rentals, but there are many things you should be taking in to consideration. Your budget is always going to be a major player in the decision making process, but do not forget to consider things such as equipment quality and cleanliness, customer service, dependability, experience and accountability.
Generally speaking, items being offered for rent at drastically reduced prices early in the season represent a desperate attempt to generate cash flow. While it's true that there is a definite slow season in the event rentals business, any company deeply slashing prices to generate off-season income may not have staying power in the industry. No bride needs the added stress of finding out the company she rented the chairs for her wedding ceremony from has gone out of business right before her special day, leaving her scrambling at the last minute to find what she needs. You also need to ask yourself how they are able to offer such a deep discount. If the price is 50% less than anywhere else, are you really getting the same quality of product? Are there some hidden costs they have not included in their price that are included in another companies pricing? Are you getting the same quality and level of service?
When it comes to chiavari and garden chairs, you need to be aware that there are many different products on the market, and not all of these chairs are created equal. These chairs are even available in different materials, such as wood or resin, and the quality of the same style of chair made from a different material can be vastly different. While some may consider wood chiavari chairs to be more "traditional" to the style, there are certainly resin chiavari chairs on the market that are stronger, more durable and look "new" far longer than the wood alternative. When you are considering a rental company be sure to see the product you are actually renting. Ask if you can see the chairs stored in the warehouse, not just the sample in the showroom. Seeing the chairs in the warehouse shows you the condition of the equipment you will be renting and you will be able to see if it needs cleaning, painting or maintaining. You should also try the chair out by sitting in it.
While investigating any "too good to be true" rental pricing, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Added extras can quickly add up, making that deep discount completely disappear. Is there an added delivery fee? Does one company include set-up and take down of the chairs, while the other does not? Does the rental price for the chiavari chairs include the cushion, or is that an extra per item fee? Unfortunately not every company is 100% forthcoming in what their pricing includes, and they often find sneaky ways of adding in extra fees. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions to be sure what you are getting for your money. An honest company who feels they have fairly set their rental prices will have no issues answering your questions.
Rental companies offering deep discounts are racing themselves to the bottom of the food chain. Eventually they won't be able to generate enough income to survive.


Friday, 6 March 2015

Should You Plan to Hire a Wedding Planner?



Planning your wedding, while exciting, can also be a lot of hard work and organization. Many people choose to enlist the services of a professional Wedding Planner, but is the added expense really worthwhile? Take our quiz to help determine if hiring a Wedding Planner is the right decision for you.

 

Which of the following best describes your lifestyle:


     a.  I feel I have a pretty good balance between my work and personal life

     b.  Between work/school, my fiancé/family/friends and other commitments I barely have a                       moment to myself

     c.  I am always looking for some type of new project to occupy my free time

Choose the answer that best describes your organizational skills:


     a.  I am a fairly organized person

     b.  I am so disorganized I thought this was a quiz on effective listening skills

     c.  My spice cupboard is alphabetized and my closets are colour coded – organizing is my life

Of the following, which best describes your "vision" for your wedding day:

     a.  I have a pretty good idea what I want, but am open to suggestions and tips

     b.  There's so many styles and ideas out there, how can I ever decide what I want???


     c.  I know exactly what I want from the venue to the décor to the dress


 

If you mostly answered A, you can probably handle your wedding planning on your own with a little help and advice. If you choose reputable and experienced vendors, such as decorators and caterers, they can often offer their advice and suggestions to help your day go the way you plan, without the added expense of a Wedding Planner. Using a good bridal planner, like the Divine Details Wedding Planner book, can help keep track of appointments, contact information for vendors/venues, offer tips, and keep your wedding planning organized and on track.

People who find themselves answering the quiz mostly B may want to consider hiring a Professional Wedding Planner to help make their big day a success. A Wedding Planner can help you get a clear "vision" of what you want your big day to be, as well as organizing all the details such as venue, vendors, caterers and décor. Keep in mind that the more you require your Wedding Planner to do, the more you are likely to spend on their fee. You can expect to pay anywhere from 10-20% of your entire wedding budget on a Full-Scale Wedding Planner. Choose your planner carefully (get references), making sure their personality and vision match up with your own. You will also want to have a clear and concise contract with the planner you choose, outlining exactly what services they are responsible for providing.

If you fall somewhere between A & B, then maybe you should consider hiring a "Day of Planner" for your wedding day. A "Day of Planner" will keep your day running smoothly, while dealing with any unforeseen issues that happen. They will keep you, your guests, your venue and all your activities in line with your timeline and your wishes. For a small investment of between $500 and $800 this is an economical way to keep your sanity and enjoy your wedding day. As with any wedding professional, obtain references and be sure to have a written contract with expectations and pricing.

As for those of you who answered mostly C, you are perfectly capable of planning your own wedding. You are more than likely a DIY bride who will be doing her own invitations, seating chart, favours and centerpieces. You have your own personal Pinterest board and have everything organized to the last detail. Hire your professionals that you need to make your day a reality. Make sure your wedding professionals understand your vision and are willing to work with you to succeed. You got this!

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Are All Chair Covers Created Equal?


Written By: Brenda Penfound, Wedding Designer for Par-Tee Rentals



 We just received another call from a bride claiming the chair covers she rented off of the internet don’t fit the chairs at her venue.  Plus the chair covers are also very dirty.  Believe it or not, this is a very common occurrence.  Of course every chair in every venue is exactly alike and is exactly the same size, right?  In an ideal world maybe, but in our world the venue chairs come in many shapes, sizes and colours.


There are a great many brides buying or renting chair covers off of the internet today, thinking that they are getting a great deal. Of course weddings are expensive and you want to try and save money where you can, but this particular shortcut will usually cost you more money and more stress.  Believe it or not, the people claiming to rent or sell chair covers for $1.00 or $1.50 are actually taking advantage of you!  This is because most of the time these so called “bargain” chair covers are just not what you need.  There is no such thing as a chair cover that fits all chairs.  What we have seen is that the chair covers all too often arrive wrinkled, dirty and usually don’t fit the chairs at your venue, if you even receive them at all!!  This is a lot of extra stress a bride just doesn’t need.

Do you really want to take a chance on your wedding day by trusting someone who doesn’t have your best interest at heart?  Sure the ads on Kijiji claim to be offering great deals, but remember if it sounds too good to be true, it very likely is.  Your friend offering you their used chair covers can also be a risk not worth taking since you have no idea if they will fit the chairs at your venue, or even what type of condition they are in after being used. Not to mention that often even well-meaning friends can forget they have promised the chair covers to you and sell them or lend them to someone else.


In our area, we have to carry small and large chair covers in many colours and styles.  With over 6000 chair covers in stock we know which chair cover is needed for which venue. We also launder each of our chair covers after every use in our own laundry facilities, inspecting each by hand to ensure their cleanliness.  We guarantee your chair cover will fit and will be clean.  Hire a reputable, trustworthy décor professional in your area to make sure you get the best chair cover experience for your wedding.  Yes you will have to pay a bit more for your chair cover, but isn’t your wedding worth it?

  

Monday, 24 February 2014

The Hottest Wedding Decor Trends for 2014

Well folks, it's a brand new year which means it's out with the old and in with the new when it comes to wedding décor! Here's a look at the top wedding décor trends for 2014.

2013 saw a huge influx in country-chic décor. 2014 will certainly continue with bits & pieces of this theme but we will begin to see quite a bit of romantic influence incorporated into wedding style. Think 'The Great Gatsby' of weddings! Gorgeous vases, large bouquets, and candles will be huge in 2014.

 



The above photo was taken at the Chatham Wedding Show in 2013. Our décor gurus were well ahead of this Gatsby trend by purchasing princess skirting, candelabras, and lots of lace!
 
 
Pictured here are our chiavari chairs embellished with lace and pearls, how romantic!





















Orchid was named this year's pantone colour of the year, and we can see why! With it's fusion of purple and pink, it's bound to be the most popular vibrant colour this year. Going along with a romantic theme, we see pale hues being shown a LOT of love. Pale pinks and varying shades of gold and ivory are the most sought after colours, but we will see pale purples, blues, and greens increase in popularity this year as well. As you can see, mint is still forecasted to be a popular colour in 2014, however we feel both mint & silver are on the outs!





Chevron was big in 2013, but 2014 sees softer patterns incorporated into décor design. Traditional patterns like trellis are the go-to this year in order to compliment the romantic themes that are so popular. we will begin to see trellis patterns increasing in home décor as well and what plenty of designers are discussing is this year's trend of weddings having an 'at home' feel. This means many brides will be incorporating more lounge areas, fabrics, and patterns into their reception venues. We love patterns and textures and think they are a great addition to any wedding!

Photo by Ali Harper Photography via Four Seasons Magazine



2013 saw paper garlands come back in a big way and they fit in beautifully with the country-chic themes of the season. This year, flower garlands are where it's at and help to emphasize the romantic feeling many brides are hoping to emulate with their wedding décor. The photo below shows one of the ways floral garlands can be utilized. We also love the look of floral garlands on cake tables & sign-in tables, as well as being used as hanging backdrops for any focal point in your hall!




So there you have it, 2014's biggest wedding trends! Remember that no matter your budget, it's possible to incorporate any of these trends to create your perfect wedding. Par-Tee Rentals would love to be there to ensure your day is exactly what you'd dreamed it would be!

Thursday, 15 August 2013

Style your End of the Summer Party Just Right

The patio furniture will be going back to storage and the autumn leaves are soon to fall. Planning an end of the summer event? Whether your theme is simple & laid-back or elegant & classic, the table setting possibilities are endless. We will take you through 4 different table setting themes to help you make the most of your summer events.


This take on a classic pool-party showcases a teal satin floor-length cloth, topped with gold beaded glass charger plates, & a coral napkin tied with a gold napkin ring. A simple square vase floral centerpiece ties in the colour of the napkins and white resin chairs complete the look.





Our second table setting is for those of you who enjoy a very sophisticated look. A sunbeam yellow satin floor-length cloth pairs with silver beaded glass charger plates and vintage grape napkins tied with a floral bling napkin ring. The centerpiece is one of a kind, made up of a clear reversible vase, varying hues of purple to tie in the napkins, and bling accents to add dimension to the piece. A mirrored table number stand and white resins complete the look.





Our final theme is rustic-chic and shows a cerise satin floor-length cloth accented with a white lace overlay. Here we used plain silver charger plates, cerise napkins tied in a bow-tie style with pearl napkin rings. The pearl table number and simple barn board centerpiece complete the look nicely.
         
 

 

Thinking of a cocktail hour at your event? Utilize tall cocktail tables and bar stools so your guests are comfortable. These tables are draped in a white floor-length cloth and a very stylish, but understated, martini glass centerpiece with watermelon lilies adds a wonderful pop of colour to the setting.





Creating the right atmosphere for your event starts with the decor. Be sure to play with bright colours & don't be afraid of playing with textures at your end of the summer party!

Tuesday, 9 April 2013

Dress 'Em Up, Dress 'Em Down - The Best Ways to Style Your Chiavaris!


You wanted them, so we got them! Par-Tee Rentals purchased beautiful mahogany resin Chiavari chairs. While these chairs are sure to turn heads on their own, here are a few ideas to give them a little extra 'pop'!




A simple sash can do so much. With so many styles and colours to choose from, you may decide that a sash is all your Chiavari really needs. Here are a few simple ways to tie your chair sash.


























Lace is also a great way to add some pizazz to your Chiavari. 






But why stop there? Why not add some pearls to further soften the look and really help give off a 'vintage' feel.






















Mix it up with lace & a sash for a beautiful effect.





How do you feel about feathers? They're coming back in a BIG way and here's how to incorporate them into your chair designs.
























Prefer florals and greenery for an earthier look? This is great for spring and summer weddings. Add in some oranges and reds for an autumn look.























If your style includes a touch of glamour, here are a few great ways to style your Chiavaris to achieve a Hollywood feel.






Whatever your style, Chiavaris are a fabulous addition to any event and an easy way to incorporate your wedding colour into both your ceremony and your reception decor!