Getting engaged is a major part of people’s lives. But once the euphoria wears off, they realize that they have an even larger undertaking — planning a wedding. They are going to need to do a lot to ensure that their big day goes off perfectly, and event rentals can play a big part in that.

That’s why it’s a smart idea to create a checklist of the things you need for both the ceremony and reception before you contact any places for wedding rentals. Here’s what you should definitely put on that list and check twice before you say your vows:

The Rehearsal Dinner

Oftentimes, before people get married, they have a rehearsal dinner. They will bring all the people to the wedding party and go through what to expect, like the entrance, the ceremony itself, and then the exit. Then it’s time to eat.

Here, it depends on if the dinner is held on the grounds where the wedding and reception will be. Then it’s a matter of seeing if things like chair rentals or tables are needed or if it’s going to be at a separate restaurant. Then you won’t have to worry yet about the glassware, the lighting, or the linens. That’ll come later.

The Ceremony

While you do have to consider the rehearsal dinner, the first thing that you’re really going to have to decide is where to have your wedding ceremony. There are nearly an infinite number of possibilities that depend on everything from your religious beliefs to your tastes to your budget.

Are you having your ceremony indoors or outdoors? If it’s the second, then you should look into renting tents so that your guests don’t broil in the sun or decide whether it should rain on your big day. Talk with the people at the site — whether it’s the clergy at a church or a host at a country club to the family whose backyard you’re holding the ceremony — and figure out things like the seating arrangements, like the types of chairs that people will sit on.

Other things may include sound systems and lighting. You might want to hire a team to decorate the area around the altar or the focal point of the wedding ceremony.

The Reception

Here’s where you really have to think about event rentals. You want your guests to simultaneously have a great time and also be comfortable. You’re going to have to consider everything from food to lighting to the overall decor.

Besides things like chair rentals, you need to think about entertainment. Are you going to rent a DJ or hire a band? What category of music do you want to have them play, will it be a wide variety or will you have them stick to one style? The wrong choice could drain the life out of your reception.

You want to have a team that is experienced at doing these types of parties. They can have people there who know how to work with all kinds of brides and can help them navigate the sometimes complex world of event rentals. This way, you can avoid any pitfalls when it comes to your rentals.

When it comes to rental items, you might have to look around at various. You could see about using a one stop shop, but again, that depends on your budget. You want to find a good vendor that will have the things that you need in their inventory when your big day arrives and that they will be prepared for your event.

Your ultimate goal is to have a memorable wedding for both yourself and your guests. If you do a good job on your checklist of party rentals, then you’ll increase the likelihood of it being remembered for a good reason instead of it potentially being disorganized. This is a huge event in your life, after all.

Look around and see what people are saying about the places that you might be considering choosing to host the reception. Do they have a reputation for a perfect delivery and a lot of satisfied clients? The same goes for the companies that you are considering for the rentals.

You should take a closer look at the ones that have a proven track record in these types of events and for having a strong inventory. Then you can feel secure in using them for event rentals. As a result, you can then focus on having a great time with your spouse and all of your family and friends while also being proud of what you were able to put together.