Fall is historically one of the busiest seasons. Everyone is dragging back in from summer break, school is back in session and with it the football season, farmers are bringing in the fall harvest, brides are taking advantage of the milder weather for their outdoor weddings, family matriarchs are gearing up for thanksgiving, and Spirit Halloween’s are popping up everywhere you look. As stressful as these busy days can be, they also bring in some of the best events for cutting loose and spending quality time with loved ones. There is nothing quite like attending a fall festival at golden hour, sharing a caramel apple and kettle corn with your family, or like sitting around a bonfire with your friends, wrapped in a flannel blanket and sipping a mug of spiced apple cider. Fall is busy, yes, but it’s the good kind of busy that brings people closer together. So as those last few weeks of summer come to an end, it’s time to shake off that summer day haze and get a head start on fall event planning. While there is a lot that goes into planning an event in any season, here is a list of 6 must-have rental items that will make your event pop.

Autumnal Linens

Set the tone for your event with autumnal linen choices. Now is the time to break out those burnt oranges, brassy golds, and fiery reds, as well as those organic textures and warm neutrals. Don’t feel constrained to just shades of red and orange though. Blush, eggplant, and plum fit well in an autumn palette, as well as warm greens like army green or olive and cool blues like teal or peacock. Opt for a heavier cloth (like this faux burlap or this spice velvet) that can stand up to the windy weather and contribute to those cozy autumn vibes. Mix and match different colors and textures to create a finished product that is both visually interesting and balanced.

Complimentary Dinnerware

If there is food at your event, then dinnerware is a must. Since the fall season is full of golden tones and warm colors, the best dinnerware to compliment the season should reflect that same warmth. When possible, choose ivory china over stark white and opt for gold or copper accents instead of silver. In that same vein, gold flatware is more fitting to an autumn palette than a more traditional silverware. Choose accent pieces that have natural elements to them, like a woven placemat or rattan charger. If your style is a little bolder, consider even leaning into the moodier side of the season and opt for an all-black place setting that will pop against a colorful linen.

Copper Serveware

If you are paying hundreds to thousands of dollars for a caterer to make food as beautiful as it is delicious, you don’t want to dampen the aesthetic with sub-optimal serveware. While the standard stainless steel serveware will certainly get the job done in terms of holding food, copper serveware does its job while also complementing the golden and orange tones of fall and contributing to the overall beauty of your event.    

Warm Mugs

Fall is one of the best seasons for warm drinks. There is something comforting about curling your fingers around a mug of warm apple cider, hot chocolate, chai, pumpkin spice latte, or mulled wine. Providing your guests with a mug of something warm is a great way to keep them hydrated and happy. A traditional deep ceramic mug is an all-round safe choice for any warm drink, but you can also choose to include a saucer in accompaniment with a plated meal. Alternatively, a clear glass mug is a great choice for layered drinks or drinks with garnishes as they allow a clear view of the drink’s artistry. 

Warmers and Cambros

Because of the mild weather, many fall events are held outdoors. When any event that includes food and drink is out of doors and away from its kitchen of origin, warmers and cambros are essential for keeping everything hot and fresh. Our 5-gallon beverage cambros are perfect for keeping anything from coffee to hot cider nice and warm, and the built-in spigots eliminate the need for a secondary beverage dispenser. Similarly, our food cambros are each built to keep up to 6 standard food pans warm until they are ready to be served. Electric proofing cabinets are also a great option for a temperature-controlled environment when electricity is available.  

Rustic Photo Ops

You’ve heard the phrases “Pics or it didn’t happen” and “A picture is worth a thousand words,” so it should come as no surprise that providing a place for an incredible photo op is a great way to foster guest engagement and create an easily recognizable background for the resulting photos. Lean into the fall colors and textures by providing a rustic backdrop accented with seasonal florals or vegetation (fall leaves and pumpkins are always a safe choice). Our fruitwood arch is a great option that is easy to decorate and provides a space for guests to stand and walk under for photos. Alternatively, our upcycled palette panels are easily configurable and customizable for the perfect fall backdrop.