Party Supplies & Party Rental Companies in Marin County serving Bel Marin Keyes, Belvedere, Belvedere Tiburon, Black Point, Bolinas, Corte Madera, Dillon Beach, Dogtown, Fairfax, Forest Knolls, Greenbrae, Ignacio, Inverness, Kent Woodlands, Kentfield, Lagunitas, Larkspur, Marin City, Marinwood, Marshall, Mill Valley, Mission Rafael, Muir Beach, Muir Woods, Nicasio, Novato, Olema, Point Reyes Station, Ross, San Anselmo, San Geronimo, San Marin, San Quentin, San Rafael, Santa Venetia, Sausalito, Stinson Beach, Strawberry Point, Tamal, Tamalpais Valley, Terra Linda, Tiburon, Tomales and Woodacre

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How to Find the Best Party Supply & Rental Companies in Marin County, CA

A cry of "Party!" gets young and old excited; it can bring people together and chase away the blues.  For the host or planner, however, with so much to plan, the rallying crowds can inspire panic. A high-quality Marin County party supply and rental company can help  When you need to rent basics like tables, chairs, tents, dishes, flatware, stemware, tables or portable toilets, let the Prime Buyer's Report guide you through Marin County's best party supply and rental companies. more »

How to Find the Best Party Supply & Rental Companies in Marin County, CA 

Party Rentals and Supplies in Marin County
The best part of a party is getting to attend.  Sure, planning is fun, until you realize, as one often does, that you are woefully underprepared to have that many people in your backyard.  These days, events can quickly outstrip the resources of even the most ambitious entertainment-inclined homeowner or host.  Gone are the days of dusting off the fold-up card table in the garage and borrowing your mother's punchbowl.  Today, guests at all kinds of events, from birthday parties to bar mitzvahs to memorials, expect class, elegance, room to mingle and their own seat at a table (and "not next to stinky cousin Ed, if you please!").  If planning or hosting a big event is in your future, you need to know a little about the resources for party supplies and party rentals, and event planners available in Novato, Sausalito and San Rafael.

(For information about planners specializing in weddings, receptions or showers, see the Prime Buyer's Report articles on Wedding Planners in Marin County).

First of all, if you are planning and/or hosting an event yourself and are not hiring a planner, you'll need to carefully think through your supplies list.  The size of the guest list, season, venue, and budget are obviously primary concerns.  Determine these variables and start making your list. Most large parties need tables, chairs, stemware and glassware, linens, coolers or refrigeration, napkins, centerpieces, heaters (if at night or winter), placemats, full table settings and often, portable outhouses or bathrooms. Maybe you're looking to throw a theme party?  Props and décor like Arabian carpets, 50s jukeboxes, or suits of armor are available from many party rental companies.  Marin County party supply and rental companies can help you with whatever mood, theme, or decoration supplies you'll need.  Many of the Marin County companies highlighted here have a wide variety of choices for every style and in many price points.  They are often great sources of information about the performance or reliability of certain items, and can anticipate needs that you may not have considered.  In fact, many Novato, Sausalito and San Rafael party supply and rental companies have planning or consulting services available

Marin County Party Planners and Event Coordinators
If you are in the market for a professional party-thrower, you'll need to know a little about the world of party planners, event coordinators, catering companies and corporate event planners.  These folks take on the logistical nightmare of large-scale events, consulting with their clients about every aspect of an event, and making the magic happen seamlessly.

The best Marin County coordinators and planners, whether for private or corporate functions, know how to plan and execute first-rate parties and events.  Trying to do the job yourself can be too much for many of us. Look at the recommended Marin County companies that offer party planning services, event coordination, and supply rentals to find the best one for your party or event.

Look for Party Supply and Rental Companies in Marin County That Do More Than the Bare Minimum
When engaging a party planner, event planner, or supply rental company look for those that have been mentioned favorably in industry publications, or have high consumer ratings from such organizations as the Better Business Bureau. The Prime Buyer's Report has compiled a list of reputable publications, associations, and internet resources. To view these resources, see the article, "Key Consumer Resources for Party Supply and Rental Companies in Marin County."

 

 

How to Find the Right Party Rental Companies, Party Suppliers and Party Planners in San Rafael for you 

Know What You're Looking For
Before you can decide if a particular Marin County event planner or party supply rental company is right for you, it's best to have a clear idea of exactly what you're looking for.  Not all party rental and planning companies are the same.  In fact, many specialize and prefer to handle only corporate events or charity auctions, for instance.  Some specialize almost exclusively in children's birthday parties with everything that goes along with those, from jumpers to clowns, pony rides, carnival games and party favors. Some businesses strictly source and provide party supplies for rent or purchase, and some companies both plan and supply events.  Once you know a few details about your particular function, party or event, you're prepared to start asking some questions and narrowing your search. You may want to begin by asking if a business can provide all or most of what you need, either to purchase or rent.  From there, a discussion of price and availability is a natural follow-up.  Perhaps you want to begin by asking if an event planner or party supplier has experience with your type of event. 

Use the list of questions below to help narrow your search.

How long have you been in the party supply and party rental business?
Have you ever handled an event like mine?  How many like mine per year?
How do you calculate an estimate?
What is your rental rate?
Do you work with other businesses for aspects that you don't handle in-house?
How many people will work on an event like mine (caterers, decorators, wait staff, bartenders, DJ's, set-up crews.)?
Will you consult in person at my home/office/business/venue?
Do you have any contacts with distributors or manufacturers?
Can you provide some references from past clients?

It's very important that you work with a party supply and rental company that you feel you can trust and makes you feel comfortable. Consider your first impression, beginning with the first phone call.  Was your initial impression that you were dealing with competent professionals?  Did you feel understood and accommodated?  Would you trust these folks to work around your friends/family/colleagues?     Are you comfortable with his or her judgment regarding your style preferences?  Probably one or two names will rise to the top of your list after you have considered these things.

First Impression
Good event planners and party rental and supply companies will listen carefully to what you're saying and understand what it is you are looking for. Be wary of planners and supply companies who seem eager to push certain ideas or are resistant to your ideas for your event.  If you are unhappy with your options, try another business. You are not obligated to hire the first Marin County event planner or party supplier you talk to.

When you've selected what seems to be the most suitable event planner or party rental company for your special event, make sure you understand the terms of your contract. Check for any consumer complaints from the Better Business Bureau, and check to see if there are complaints lodged with industry watchdog groups.

Once you have contracted to rent or purchase party supplies or have signed an agreement with a party planner, keep in contact with them. Throughout the planning and arranging of your event, you will surely have questions.  Write them down, and try to consolidate your questioning.  That is, instead of calling every time you have a question, call once a week, with all your questions ready.  Don't hesitate to ask if you have concerns about the products or services that you have contracted for.

 

 

Consumer Resources for Party Supplies and Party Rental Companies in Marin County 

Associations & Licensing
 
BBB Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org)
Event Planners Association ( http://www.eventplannersassociation.com )
American Rental Association ( www.ararental.org )
California Rental Association ( www.craonthenet.org )
Rental HQ, rental store locator ( www.rentalhq.com )
File Transit, event planning software (http://www.filetransit.com/files.php?name=Event_Planning)
Entertainment Services Technical Association (http://www.esta.org )
American Disc Jockey Association (http://www.adja.org )

The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for party rental and party supply companies in Marin County within the following zip codes.

94901, 94903, 94904, 94912, 94913, 94914, 94915, 94920, 94924, 94925, 94929, 94930, 94933, 94937, 94938, 94939, 94940, 94941, 94942, 94945, 94946, 94947, 94948, 94949, 94950, 94956, 94957, 94960, 94963, 94964, 94965, 94966, 94970, 94971, 94973, 94974, 94976, 94977, 94978 and 94979

The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top 10 party supply and event planning companies in Marin County within the following cities.

Bel Marin Keyes, Belvedere, Belvedere Tiburon, Black Point, Bolinas, Corte Madera, Dillon Beach, Dogtown, Fairfax, Forest Knolls, Greenbrae, Ignacio, Inverness, Kent Woodlands, Kentfield, Lagunitas, Larkspur, Marin City, Marinwood, Marshall, Mill Valley, Mission Rafael, Muir Beach, Muir Woods, Nicasio, Novato, Olema, Point Reyes Station, Ross, San Anselmo, San Geronimo, San Marin, San Quentin, San Rafael, Santa Venetia, Sausalito, Stinson Beach, Strawberry Point, Tamal, Tamalpais Valley, Terra Linda, Tiburon, Tomales and Woodacre

 

 

Dealing with Party Supply Rental Companies in Novato, Sausalito and San Rafael 

Have a plan.
When you find yourself in the market for a professional planner or a party rental or supply company, it's a good idea to know what you'll need.  First determine how much assistance you want or need.  Can you really handle all the arrangements yourself, or might it be better to get an assist, or even to put the entire project in professional hands?

If you have decided to plan and arrange your event yourself, martial your resources and determine what supplies you'll need to purchase outright, and which you'll want to rent. 

Experienced planners try to anticipate every type of guest or attendee at a given event, so take a few moments to consider their individual characteristics.  Guests, hosts, and any honorees very often appreciate thoughtful touches like activities for young children, vegetarian menu options, and reasonable accommodations for limited-mobility guests.  Quality Marin County party rental and supply businesses should be able to help you come up with some options for every function or event, including inflatable toys, wheelchair ramps and lighting solutions.

Perhaps you are looking for the best assistant, consultant, or planner to orchestrate your shindig.  Think about the crowd that your planner will be planning for and try to communicate this to your professional event planner.  This may narrow your search for a planner immediately, as some specialize in particular types of functions, like corporate meetings or weddings. Describe the general "feel" you are hoping to achieve, i.e., formal or informal, fun or serious, rigid agenda or open-ended, professional or family-oriented, chic or down-home, etc.  Know what kind of event you envision, and keep this in mind whenever you are working with your planner.

Write it Down.
Think through your plans, and write down your ideas.  Read over your contracts carefully.  Try to read each document, release form and agreement as if you were in a worst-case-scenario situation.  Understand what recourse you have if, for instance, the chairs you ordered are not the ones delivered on the day of the event.  Also understand exactly what your planner will do and not do.  Perhaps they will source a caterer, but understand who is liable if they, or any other subcontractor, fails to perform.  Get everything memorialized in a clear writing, for everyone's peace of mind.

Get Several Separate Estimates From Party Planners or Party Rental Companies
If possible, try to get a few estimates or quotes about the options and relative expenses associated with your event. Try to give each potential person or company the same information so that your comparison is easier.

Choose Experienced Professionals.
If you want to know how a planner's events have worked out in the past, ask around.  An experienced planner or coordinator should have exemplars of their work, generally in the form of photos and client-generated testimonials.  A party supply or rental company ought to have samples of all kinds of materials for your consideration in addition to positive reviews and photos.

Know Your Rights.
Although most events go swimmingly, there are resources available if you feel you need to lodge a complaint or report about your party rental company, or event planner. Reference the California Department of Consumer Affairs. (See our article, "Key Consumer Resources for Party Supply Rentals in Marin County" to learn more.