Table Linens Cost

How Much Do Table Linens Cost?

Chair Cover Rental: $3.50-$5.50 each

Table Runner Rental: $3-$8 each

Tablecloth Rental: $6-$18 each

A popular item to rent for wedding receptions, table linens may include tablecloths, table skirts, table runners or overlays, chair covers and cloth napkins. Common materials include polyester, satin or organza, and the prices below reflect a general range of all materials. While some people choose to buy these items for their wedding reception, renting linens is a popular way to cut costs while also choosing from a wide selection of colors and sizes available from party rental companies.

Typical costs:

Table cloth rentals typically range from $6 to $10 for a round or square tablecloth that reaches just past the edge of the table. Floor-length tablecloths for rectangular banquet tables can cost up to $18 each.
Table skirts are normally 30 inches tall and rental cost varies by length. You can expect to pay $1.10 to $1.50 per foot of table skirting. Usually secured by elastic and ordered to the size of the table, this piece drapes down the sides of the table in order to create the illusion of a floor-length table covering.
Table runners typically rent for $3 to $8. A long table runner adds a splash of color to a banquet table.
Table overlays (also called square table cloths) typically range $6 to $12. A smaller square overlay placed over a round table cloth adds color contrast much like a table runner.
Chair cover rentals typically range from $3.50 to $5.50 per chair. This fee may or may not include setup, but it often includes a contrasting color sash tied to the chair back in a bow.
Cloth napkins typically rent for $0.40 to $0.65 each. These may come in white or colored and are normally 20-by-20 inches or smaller.

What should be included:

Your rental will typically be for 24 hours of use. If the company agrees, you may pick up the linens the day before the event and return the day after at no additional charge.
Linens will arrive cleaned and pressed.
Your rental company will clean the linens after the event, and most policies will protect you against normal stains to the linens, like spilled food, drink or candle wax.

Additional costs:

Expect additional delivery, set-up and pick-up fees if you don't want to handle this yourself. For example, rates at Eventures are $55 minimum for delivery and an extra 25 percent of the total rental fee for setup and tear-down at the event.
Many companies require a deposit as high as 50 percent when signing the rental contract. The balance is typically due 24 hours before picking up the linens, which allows changes to the order to match the guest list.
If the linens incur burns, rips or stains that cannot be removed, there will be charges for the replacement cost as determined by the rental company. Always read the rental contract carefully.

Discounts:

If possible, get a friend or family member to pick up the linens before the wedding and drop them off after the reception. This will save set-up fees at nearly every rental company. Have the bridal party set out the linens instead of hiring the company to do it.
Look for a first-time customer discount or large-party discounts (i.e., over 200 guests).

Shopping for table linens:

When renting table linens, know an approximate guest count as well as the measurements for tables at the reception hall. Don't forget to reserve linens for long banquet tables, the cake table, the gift table, etc.
Anar Party Rental offers a helpful guide for determining seating and linen sizes for different table measurements.
Some people choose to buy linens rather than rent. Chair covers at can be purchased at Save on Crafts for as little as $6 each, and may resell on eBay for around $3 per cover. eFavorMart sells table cloths with discounted prices on bulk orders.

Article updated February 2010