Is It Better to Rent or Buy Tablecloths?
If you’ve ever planned a big event—whether it’s a wedding, birthday party, or even a business dinner—you’ve probably run into the question: Should I rent tablecloths or just buy them? Honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It really depends on what kind of event you’re throwing, your budget, and how often you plan to host things like this.
Let me walk you through it, based on what I’ve learned from a few events of my own (and helping some friends, too).
Why People Choose to Rent Tablecloths
Renting tablecloths is super common, especially for weddings or fancy events where everything needs to look crisp and uniform. Rental companies usually have all the sizes you need—round, rectangle, even weird banquet shapes—and they take care of the washing, steaming, and folding for you.
You show up, the tables are dressed, and that’s that.
What’s nice about renting:
You don’t have to clean anything afterward.
You can pick high-end fabrics like satin, damask, or velvet.
No storage issues afterward.
They usually deliver and pick them up (one less thing to worry about).
But here's the thing: renting isn’t always cheap. For example, wedding tablecloth rentals can run you anywhere from $10 to $25 per piece depending on the material and size. If you’re doing a 20-table setup, that adds up fast.
When Buying Tablecloths Makes More Sense
Now, if you’re hosting smaller gatherings, or you run a small business like a café or a venue, buying might be a better long-term move. A lot of people are surprised to find out that you can buy decent bulk tablecloths for less than half the price of renting.
I once helped a friend plan a church event, and we bought 20 polyester tablecloths for under $100. They weren’t fancy, but they looked neat and washed up just fine afterward. Best part? She now uses them for all kinds of church functions.
Why people buy:
Way more affordable if you’ll reuse them.
You can pick colors that match your brand or theme.
You’re not on anyone else’s schedule.
Great for venues, caterers, or DIY wedding planners.
Sure, you’ll have to clean and store them, but if that’s not a big deal, the savings really add up.
A Quick Example
Let’s say you’ve got a 15-table party. Renting white tablecloths could cost you around $200–$300 total. Buying reusable tablecloths in bulk might cost $7–$10 each, so maybe $100–$150—and you keep them for next time.
Now if you’re never going to use them again, maybe renting is worth the convenience. But if there’s even a small chance you’ll reuse them—say, for holidays, church dinners, or your cousin’s graduation party—they’ll more than pay for themselves.
Can You Do a Bit of Both? Absolutely.
Sometimes it makes sense to rent the fancy stuff—like for the head table or cake table—and then use cheap-but-nice vinyl tablecloths or basic polyester ones for the guest tables. I’ve seen that work really well at budget-conscious weddings or community events.
Bottom Line
If you’re planning a one-time event and want it to be super polished, renting tablecloths is easy and stress-free. But if you’re okay doing a little extra work—and especially if this isn’t your last party—buying tablecloths can save you a good chunk of money.
Think about how often you’ll use them, whether you’ve got space to store them, and if you’re cool with doing a bit of laundry. Once you answer those, your decision kind of makes itself.
