A vow renewal can be anything from a garden gathering of 20 to a full formal reception for 150. The hire order changes substantially between those two formats.
A vow renewal can be anything from a garden gathering of 20 to a full formal reception for 150. The hire order changes substantially between those two formats.
A vow renewal can be anything from a garden gathering of 20 to a full formal reception for 150. The hire order changes substantially between those two formats, and getting it right means thinking about both clearly.
\n\nFor an intimate vow renewal in a garden or small hired space, the focus is a relaxed, social atmosphere rather than a formal dinner. Outdoor furniture works well here: folding chairs, garden tables, and a couple of poseur tables for drinks.
\n\nFor a summer garden party in this size range, a simple setup of 4 to 5 garden tables with 8 chairs each covers the seating. Expo Hire's outdoor furniture hire includes garden tables, folding chairs, and parasols suited to events in private gardens and small venues.
\n\nProsecco is common for vow renewals at this scale. For 30 guests over a two-hour afternoon celebration, allow 2.5 glasses per person, giving you 75 champagne flutes as a minimum.
\n\nIf you are also serving soft drinks, add water glasses at 1 per person. Keep glassware orders rounded up rather than tight.
\n\nA larger vow renewal follows a similar format to a wedding reception. The hire list is comparable. For 100 guests, you need 10 round tables of 10 (or 13 tables of 8), 110 chairs, tablecloths and napkins, crockery for each course, and glassware for the reception and dinner.
\n\nExpo Hire's chiavari chairs are a popular choice for vow renewals that carry a formal or celebratory tone.
\n\nRound tables work well for vow renewals at this scale because they encourage the conversation-led atmosphere most couples want. For 120 guests at tables of 10, you need 12 round tables. Expo Hire's round tables for hire are available in 5ft and 6ft diameters.
\n\nAdd linen at one cloth per table plus 3 spares, and napkins at one per guest plus 10%. Expo Hire's linen hire range includes tablecloths and napkins in white, ivory, and a range of colours.
\n\nThe equipment list for a vow renewal is often shorter than a wedding hire order. There is usually no top table, no cake table, and no ceremony chair setup separate from the reception.
\n\nCouples often skip the formal seating arrangement and opt for a more relaxed round-table format. Canapés are more common than a three-course dinner, which reduces crockery requirements but increases the focus on serving equipment and glassware.
\n\nThe biggest practical difference is lead time. Wedding hire orders are placed months in advance. Vow renewals are often planned on shorter timescales. Expo Hire can accommodate this, though availability for the most popular items, particularly chiavari chairs and linen, can be limited at peak times.
\n\nIf you are serving a buffet rather than a plated meal, the equipment list shifts. You will need chafing dishes for hot food, serving spoons and tongs, and prep tables for the caterer.
\n\nFor 80 guests with three hot buffet dishes, that is 10 to 12 chafing dishes, one serving spoon per dish, and at least two prep tables. Your caterer will have specific requirements, so confirm those before placing the hire order.
See also: barn wedding hire guide and private dining hire guide.
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