Party Rental Ltd.’s Robin Legere Talks All Things Wedding Rentals

Photo by Sasha Israel

Sometimes the smallest wedding details—the stand you display your cake on or the chairs you choose for your sweetheart table—make the biggest difference. Just ask Robin Legere. As the business development manager for Boston-based Party Rental Ltd., Legere draws inspiration from the city’s architecture and history, and even what a client wears to the company’s downtown showroom, to piece together eye-catching accents for a couple’s big day. No matter if it’s a lavish bash for 200 guests or a more intimate celebration for 20, Legere and the Party Rental crew enhance venues with everything from embroidered linens and specialty china to popcorn machines and artisanal serving pieces. “The creativity that I’m able to continue blossoming in my position is my true passion,” she says. “I absolutely love the fact that I get to work day in and day out with amazing planners and designers to put together extraordinary events.”

Party Rental Ltd. has been in business for almost 50 years. How have weddings changed?

They’ve become a lot more personalized. Both designers and clients want to customize wedding ceremonies and receptions, and accentuate venues with rentals. Every couple is unique, and their wedding décor should be, too.

When in the planning process should a couple start to nail down their rentals?

It’s a bit of a dance between planning with the catering companies—finalizing the menu and deciding what you will need for place settings—and working with the florist. I recommend couples visit our showroom for a consultation after they have chosen a caterer and decided on their meal style—plated versus buffet or stations. By this time, they should be pretty familiar with what items the caterer and the venue provide, and will have a clearer idea of what they need to rent or consider upgrading.

How do you help clients choose pieces?

I start by asking what kind of style they like, as well as what vibe they want their guests to feel when they come into the space. Do they want it to be dark and moody, or bright and elegant? If they use words such as “light,” “clean,” and “modern,” I might pull linen and chairs in whites and grays with simpler silhouettes and patterns, for example. One time, I had a bride bring in a beautiful textile she [found while visiting] Peru. We pulled inspiration from the colors to create a style that was unique to the couple and honored their love for traveling.

How do you keep a couple on budget?

It depends on what the client prioritizes. If they’re really in love with a charger, I’ll work on keeping the rest of the items within their budget so they’re just splurging on that one piece. All of the designs we [create] are essentially custom, so we can be really flexible.

On that note, what piece is always worth the splurge?

The table linen. When a guest sits down and places that napkin in their lap and touches the tablecloth, [the linen] brings in the texture and is going to be the foundation for a beautiful place setting and dining experience.
What else should a couple consider when designing their place settings?
The biggest thing is working with the caterer to choose items that are not only beautiful, but practical. If they have a unique soup-and-salad course, they need to make sure they have the correct [silverware or china] for however the chef suggests it should be plated.

What’s different about styling indoor versus outdoor receptions?

With outside venues, the landscape is the main décor element. Outdoor venues can be more complicated [than indoor ones], so choose items that can be flexible in case of rain. It’s New England; you never know what you’re going to get. [Coastal] weddings are beautiful, for example, but they can be tricky. It’s almost always windy, so we have some great linen-less table and bar options that are perfect for breezy cocktail hours.

186 South St., Boston, 844-464-4776, partyrentalltd.com.

Tips

Robin Legere shares four items from Party Rental’s vast inventory—and unexpected ways to use them.

BAR CART

It makes an adorable display for food or beverage, but it doesn’t have to be stationary! I love the idea of a strolling cocktail experience, roaming table to table offering guests digestif options like port and Fernet during dessert.

CHARGER

Chargers can be used for passed hors d’oeuvres. Party Rental has a variety of colors and patterns; they’re a great way to add that little extra detail to the presentation.

GLASS DINNER PLATE

If you love the look of a charger but it doesn’t fit into your budget (or on the venue’s small tables), preset the table with a beautiful glass dinner plate. It will create the feel of a charger, just on a smaller scale. The salad plate can still be layered on top, with both removed before the entrée is served.

CAKE STAND

Cake stands aren’t just for cake! Use them to add interest and volume to displays or buffet tables. Mix and match with platters to create a beautifully curated spread that your guests will love.

Getting married? Start and end your wedding planning journey with Boston Weddings' guide to the best wedding vendors in the city.