Last week I had the privilege of meeting with Kathy Manning of The Party Place at their fabulous showroom on North Portland. Don’t be fooled by the industrial area where their building is located—the showroom welcomes you in with several lovely tables to inspire you.
Once inside, Kathy led me to the design room where brides can create their dream reception tables. In the center of the room is a round table covered with a simple white tablecloth. Along one wall are all the types of chairs available for rental, from basic folding to gold and silver Chiavari chairs. On the opposite wall were a multitude of fabric samples available for tablecloths. Another section held all the napkin colors—I was impressed! Party Place has the most colors of linens in the area. The largest wall of the room held a stunning collection of flatware, crystal, and china. Kathy explained that brides use this room to design their own tables, and are welcome to bring photos for inspiration. The possibilities are infinite!
More about wedding rentals from Kathy:
What are the most popular items which brides and grooms rent for their weddings?
Tables, chairs, and linens. The company also rents tents for outdoor receptions. They have the only tent washing machine in the Portland area. On my backstage tour, Kathy gave me a peek, the thing is huge! Which makes sense, because those tents are enormous.
What are the popular styles and trends?
Many brides are opting for an antique or vintage style. Lots of ruffles, lace, and gold hues. The eco-friendly reception is also quite popular. Party Place rents gorgeous linen tablecloths, in tan and ivory, which Kathy explains are very well-liked.
Any fantastic yet unexpected items which people might not think of renting?
Kathy suggests kid-sized tables, which are of lower height and accompanied with smaller chairs. So cute!
She also steered me over to some sweet glasses in the design room where she explained the continued popularity of signature cocktails. The Bolero is the perfect glass for such a cocktail. Another fun option is the Chimney glass. Talk to your caterer, they may suggest a Tall Shot Glass for a soup hor d'oeuvre. Better yet, check out the design room and see all the choices for yourself.
Don’t Forget!
Even though The Party Place has myriad fabulous items to make your wedding one to remember, Kathy reminded me that popular items like chairs and tents can be booked months in advance, so it makes sense to place your order sooner rather than later.
The Party Place has an incredible website complete with photos of most of their item rentals and prices. I encourage you to visit the website and call them with questions. The company was started about 40 years ago, and continues to be locally owned and operated.
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