When you are planning an event, you can miss out on the drinks! And when you are hiring bars, you need to get the appropriate décor items for it that match the venue’s styling. This will make your gathering memorable for your guests. From furniture items to bar hiring regulations, this guide will tell you everything you need to know to organise parties.
Key Takeaways
- Hiring rental event décor and bars is easy, cost-effective, and sustainable rather than buying single-use items
- Parties should include the right décor items that match the theme of the gathering
- Bar units should complement the party’s theme and follow all local legal regulations
Planning an event that stays on your guests’ minds for a long time? Well, nothing compares to a party that has excellent décor and an attractive bar. Make your guests feel comfortable and give them a way to stay refreshed throughout the time they spend at the celebration.
And what makes hiring both décors and bars the best thing for your party? Sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Because of the rising sustainability awareness, globally, around 69% of consumers are now considering rentals as a waste-reduction behaviour, reducing single-use décor purchases by 46%.
Now, if you are not sure about how to plan an event, this guide will help you get started.
How to Rent Bars and Associated Decor for Your Event
To make sure that your soirée stands out and, most importantly, offers a good time to all your guests, you cannot leave out a bar. So, here’s how you can make your event memorable for all!
If you are looking for a classy or funky bar hire setup that elevates your event’s feel, you need to know the types and options of bar units typically offered.
What Types of Bars Can You Rent?
There are various types of bars for hire; pick the one that suits your requirement and budget.
Dry bars
You hire the bar unit only, and you are responsible for arranging the drinks and staff.
Wet bars
You get the bar unit, a suitable stock with your choice of drinks, along with professional licensed bartenders.
Mobile bars
Portable bars that can be moved around throughout the venue. You can set it up anywhere, outdoors, or indoors.
Built/Custom bars
The organisers design your bar unit to match your chosen theme.
Decide on what would be easier to handle for you and get exactly that for your party.
Silver/Gold Circular Mirrored Bars
Adds glamour and depth to your party. It is suitable for weddings, charity and gala parties, or award nights.
Straight Bars
Also known as modular bars that can be L-shaped or U-shaped. These bars are usually scalable for any guest count.
Printed Drinks Bars (Based on Event Theme)
You can try out LED light bars, rustic (wooden/vintage) bars, round bars, or custom-built bars that portray your brand image, colours, or messages.
How to Match Your Bar to Your Décor Theme
- Identify your party’s colour palette and dominant aesthetic to decide on your bar’s look.
- Bar style should complement and not contrast the main décor pieces. For example, mirror bars should be paired with mirror tables, crystal chandeliers, or acrylic furniture pieces.
- Pair rustic bars with birch trees, lanterns, and flower centrepieces.
- LED bars should be paired with LED venue lighting. This is a great combination if you are planning a dance floor as well.
- Bar placement matters. So, according to your theme and venue, either go with your bar as a focal point or bar against a wall facing the venue’s main area.
- The glassware should also match the bar’s aesthetic.
How to Decorate the Bar to Match Your Event Décor
Before you decide on the décor hire elements for the event and the bar, you need to choose a specific theme for your event. Here are some themes that you might like.
Modern & Minimalist
You cannot leave out the major black, white, and silver colours, including clear acrylic tones. Ideally, you should get ghost chairs, geometric props like vases and furniture. LED candles are a great option for this theme, including acrylic tables.
Romantic & Classic
The colour palette usually includes blush, ivory, gold, or champagne. You would need to hire candelabras, floral centrepieces, aisle carpets, and of course, Chiavari chairs to go with your bar set-up.
Luxury & Elegant
Include dark jewel shades, black, and gold in the colour palette and for décor, consider crystal chandeliers, thrones, feather centrepieces, and mirror tables.
Rustic & Boho
Nude colours, warm wood colours, terracotta, or sage would be the best for this theme. And for the décor items, birch trees, pampas grass, trestle tables, and lanterns are a must.
Asian/South Asian Wedding/Ritual Events Décor
Vibrant colours with shades of yellow, green, and red, with drapes and arches, flower props and décor that are suitable if you are a part of London’s South-Asian community. This goes well if you have already hired mandaps or chuppahs, in case of wedding events.
Key Décor Elements You Will Need
Next, if you have chosen a theme that you want to follow, it’s time to start with the décor elements for both your bar and the event venue. The following are the main things that you should hire for your party.
Furniture
Tables, chairs, and linen are the three major things that a professional/family gathering cannot go without. Now you can try out different types of them based on your chosen theme. Tables include square tables, round tables, trestle tables, or poseur tables. For chairs, the ones that are suitable for celebrations include Chiavari chairs, Victorian ghost chairs, banquet chairs like Dior chairs, or Louis chairs. Finally, linens would include tablecloths, chair covers, and napkins.
Lighting
Lighting usually includes candles, both real wax candles and LED candles. Other types include candelabras, chandeliers, festoon lighting, fairy lights, neon lights and so on. Please consult with your event hire company to select the one that suits your theme.
Props & Glassware
You can get charger plates, acrylic cake tables, feather centrepieces, bird cages, mirror vases or plates, crystal table chandeliers, wedding thrones, and easels. Other props include table plan mirrors, table number holders, plinths, urns, and lanterns.
Considering glassware, you should never opt them out if your theme is luxury or classic. Vases, votives and tealight holders, and fish bowls are some that you can consider. Do not hire them, thinking that they will enhance your event’s look. Only rent them if your theme goes with these props!
Flowers
Weddings and corporate celebrations cannot go without flowers. Starting from bouquets, gates, altars, and venue styling, flowers are needed everywhere. See whether your theme needs a flower wall, or flower trees and arches.
Venue Styling
In addition to the bar’s decoration and décor hire, you will obviously need a dance floor! And if the wedding is Asian or Jewish, you would also need mandaps and chuppahs. So, look for party organisers who get you these options, including post boxes, venue draping, staging, carpets, and mirror tables.
DIY Hire vs Full-Service Styling: Which is the Best Option for You?
If you are looking for something that will let you decide the venue styling, you can try DIY hire services. You collect, style, and return the props later. It is pocket-friendly, and you get creative control over the event.
But, for the ones who have less time on their hands, full-service is ideally a better option. The team delivers the items to your venue, sets them up, and takes them back after the function is done. It is hassle-free and gives a professional finish to your planned gathering.
You make the decision. The organiser delivers it.
Legal & Regulatory Considerations for Hiring Bars in the UK
Being aware is always better than paying for a fine later. Let us not ruin a party and be cautious of the regulatory aspects first. Especially when you are hiring a bar.
- You need a “Temporary Event Notice (TEN)” for events offering or selling alcohol.
- Never forget the Premises License because it is needed to offer entertainment and alcohol in a particular venue.
- Wet bar hire needs a “designated premises supervisor (DPS), who must be a personal licence holder”
- Also, consider getting public liability insurance, which should be confirmed with your event manager.
Planning a celebration is easy when you know how you want your guests to feel. All you need is a big picture and this guide! And with the right décor and bar rental company, your event will be engraved in people’s memories.
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