Hire of crockery, tablecloths and chair covers for a banquet
Count for every place at the table
Hiring crockery and linen for a banquet starts with a simple calculation: how many guests and what kind of service. For a seated dinner, each guest needs a set: plates (starter, main course, dessert), glasses for drinks, and cutlery. A cocktail party needs smaller sets but a wider choice of glasses and napkins.
People usually ask for a little more than the guest count: some crockery breaks or gets lost, and plates are changed between courses. Agree a margin with the company, so you do not have to run around the shops on the day of the event.
What to put in your request
- what to hire — plates, glasses, cutlery, chafing dishes, tablecloths, chair covers, napkins;
- number of guests or seats, for example 60 people;
- number of items — 20 tablecloths, 60 chair covers;
- style and colour — white linen, gold cutlery, clear glasses;
- table sizes — shape and diameter, for example 8 round tables of 6 ft, because the size of the tablecloth depends on it;
- event date and return time;
- washing — return the crockery unwashed or wash it yourself;
- delivery, event location and budget.
Example: “Banquet for 60 people on 14 November, Toronto. I need linen for 8 round tables of 6 ft: white floor-length tablecloths, 60 chair covers, plates, glasses and cutlery for 60 places. Crockery to be returned unwashed, with delivery. Budget up to $350.”
What to look at when comparing prices
Approaches to washing differ a lot: in one company it is included, in another the crockery must be returned clean, which means extra hours of work. Also ask about charges for breakages and losses: the price for a broken glass can vary.
For linen, ask about its condition: whether the tablecloths are washed, ironed and free of stains. Check the size: a tablecloth for a 6 ft table must have a suitable drop. When comparing offers, look at exactly what is in the price: service, number of sets, delivery.
Common mistakes
- Not working out the table size, so the tablecloths turn out too short.
- Taking crockery “exactly for the guests” without a margin.
- Not agreeing who washes the crockery after the event.
- Not checking that the set is complete at receipt and at return.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You write one request, and hire companies reply with offers: the set, price, washing, delivery, terms. The site first checks your request and suggests what is missing. Hire companies compete, so terms often turn out better. Only the one you choose sees your contacts. More details: “How it works”.
For tables, chairs and marquees, and everything else for your celebration, see event supplies hire.
