Ways to Cut Wedding Catering Costs

shutterstock_151937276Did you know that the average wedding costs over $26,000 today? Many couples are trying to reduce their wedding costs, however, and one of the best ways to do that is by reducing catering costs. Food and beverage costs are usually a majority of the cost of a wedding, so it’s a good place to start looking for savings!

In order to cut costs, start by looking at cocktail hour and appetizer costs. First of all, skip the cheese platter, it’s an over done appetizer and no one will miss seeing it. Another option is to skip the raw bar and to have pricier appetizers, like shrimp and other seafood, hand-passed by the waiters or caterers, this option will greatly reduce the amount of seafood guests consume, while still offering the items for guests to enjoy. If you are going to do the hand-passed option for some appetizers and small plates, be sure to present them on unique, decorative plates or serve ware. When deciding on presentation and dishware, renting is a much more cost efficient option than buying, plus then you don’t have to worry about what to do with all those extra plates and dishes! When looking for interesting or unique dishes, be sure to check out Action Rental’s large selection of dishware available for rent!

The majority of wedding food costs accumulate during the dinner and sit-down meal portion of the reception. In order to save on the entrée portion of the meal, offer interesting pastas, such as flavorful filled pastas, or beef or pork that is in-season. Ask your caterer for a list of prices on meats and choose an option that is both cost-efficient and delicious! Another savings option is to have your dinner served family-style, choosing food that can be passed around a table will save you money because less food will be wasted this way!

No matter which way you decide to go with your reception dinner, Action Rentals has serve-ware and china that can be rented to insure your food looks good enough to eat!

What to Plant in the Spring

shutterstock_161302799

Spring and summer weather means it’s time to garden!

Every vegetable and flower is different, however, and that means they need to be planted at different times throughout the year.

March is the perfect time to plant Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and turnips.

April is the time to start on beans, beets, and carrots.

But what about May?

May is the perfect time to grow almost all of your favorite vegetables, without any risk of them being destroyed by a sudden frost. Cucumbers, sweet potatoes, peppers and more can be planted in May to insure your garden will be in full swing by the middle of summer! May is also the perfect time to plant some of your favorite summer fruits such as watermelon and strawberry plants.

To be sure your garden is ready to grow all the delicious fruits and vegetables you’ll be craving this summer, you’ll need the right tools for the job! Action Rentals has tillers, seed sowers, pruners, and all the tools in-between, for gardens of every size!

Picking the Right Music for Your Next Event

speakers

Upcoming wedding or special event? You’ll need music!

Music can make any event more fun, but deciding what kind of music can be challenging.  Some people choose to use live music or a band, and some choose to have a DJ, but providing your own music can be an even better option!

Often, people don’t consider providing their own music at events because they think it would be too much of a hassle, but providing your own music can have some pretty impressive benefits.

When planning your special event, choosing your own music allows you more input into what’s being played, takes the stress out of finding an available DJ or band, and is more cost-efficient!

Renting the needed equipment to provide your own music is easy and hassle-free with Action Rentals. At Action you can rent wireless mic systems, sound systems and speakers, and even a laptop to play your music from! Action has all the audiovisual tools you’ll need to provide your own event music and entertainment!

Get Your Home Ready for Spring!

shutterstock_73012762_web

Now that the cold weather is gone, it’s time to focus on what you need to get ready for spring!

Springtime means its time to freshen up your lawn, garden, and property exterior.

The winter months can take a hard toll on the appearance and upkeep of your lawn and garden, but Action Rentals can help! Action Rentals has just what you need for all those spring projects. We have everything from leaf blowers and lawn mowers to shovels and pruners to get your yard looking its best this spring!

What about your property exterior?

Winter’s harsh weather can really make your siding and gutters appear run-down. In order to clean out your gutters and reach those hard-to-paint spots, you’ll definitely need a ladder. Power washing your home to make it really stand out? When you rent your power washers from Action, don’t forget a ladder, too! At Action Rentals we have a ladder for every job on your spring to-do list.

 

Setting the Mood at Your Next Event!

shutterstock_147266747

Spring time brings about many new and exciting events, especially with the upcoming “wedding season”, but how can you make those events seem even more special? In order to insure weddings, bridal showers, and rehearsal dinners have an intimate or romantic feel, candelabras can be utilized in many different ways. Candelabras can be used for centerpieces at dinners and receptions, or as decorations in entryways, ballrooms, and churches. Candelabras help set the tone and mood of many special events!

Action Rentals has a large selection of candelabras in a variety of different designs, colors, heights, and materials, so you’re sure to find the perfect one for your special event!

Fans/Vacuum Equipment

pipes

Ever wonder what you could use a wet/dry vacuum for? Wet/dry vacuums are not only used to tackle tough dirt messes, but spills and any wet disasters as well. Many times, some disasters such as flooding can occur, and a wet/dry vacuum is perfect to tackle household flooding to prevent long term damage. If a flood disaster strikes your home or business, Action Rentals & Sales is here to help.

 

We carry many different size fans as well to quickly dry up the mess after you have used the wet/dry vacuum to soak up most of the water. Don’t spend money buying these items and having to store them when you can rent them for less! Need it? Rent It!

Planning Holiday Parties

Are you hosting a family get together for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas this year? Whether throwing a small, casual dinner or a large, formal feast, advance planning will make sure everything goes smoothly and doesn’t wear you out! Some things to consider ahead of time:

The Guest List – Make a list of guests, including the number of children, and inquire in advance about any food allergies or restrictions or alcohol preferences to avoid unexpected and unpleasant surprises.

The Menu – Plan your menu, review recipes and prepare your shopping list. Plan what you can make and freeze ahead of time, what needs to be made when and schedule accordingly. Don’t forget to re-stock any bar items needed.

Seating and Serving – Do you have enough tables, chairs and linens? Check your inventory of your china/dishes, flatware, stemware and glasses to be sure you have enough for all guests. What about party equipment you may not have on hand, such as a champagne fountain, chocolate fountain or margarita machine? Let our experts at Action Rentals help!

DSC_0002_Action

For more tips on holiday party planning in your home, come by and see our experts at Action Rental and Sales at 1861 N. Eastman Road in Kingsport, TN, call us at 423-246-5181, or check us out online at actionrentalkpt.com
.

Winterize Your Home!

Fall is the perfect time of year to winterize your home, or perform maintenance that will keep your home in the best shape to get through the colder winter months and save on heating costs. Here are some helpful tips.

Starting on the outside, check the condition of your roof, gutters and downspouts. Clean out the gutters and install leaf guards if not already in place. Use a hose to spray water into the downspouts to remove any debris. Check the flashing and replace any loose or worn shingles or tiles to insure water cannot enter your house. If you have fireplaces, be sure to cap or screen the top of the chimneys to keep animals out. Hire a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote from the chimneys. Inspect the dampers for proper opening and closing. And, don’t forget to stock up on firewood!

Next, inspect your foundation and seal up any cracks or holes. Secure crawlspace entrances. Clear all leaves and debris away from the foundation. Insulate any exposed plumbing pipes to prevent freezing. Check all exterior doors and windows for tight seals. Seal/caulk any cracks and replace any cracked or broken window glass. Switch out summer screens with the glass replacements. If you have older model windows, consider covering them with plastic to keep warm air inside and cold air out. Install weather stripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering your home. If you have ceiling fans in your home, now is the time to change the rotation direction: counter-clockwise rotation produces cooling breezes and clockwise rotation produces warmer air.

Finally, if you have central heat and air, get your furnace and ducts inspected and cleaned by an HVAC professional. Remove any flammable materials from the area surrounding your furnace. Be sure to change your furnace filters each month. Purchase smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries and change them out when daylight savings time ends on November 1. If you don’t have these detectors, purchase, install and test them to assure your family’s safety during the coming colder months.

For more tips on how to winterize your home, come by and see our experts at Action Rental and Sales at 1861 N. Eastman Road in Kingsport, TN, call us at 423-246-5181, or check us out online at actionrentalkpt.com.

2-4-6-8 Who Do We Appreciate? It’s Tailgating Time

Before you know it, football season will be upon us! If you want to throw an awesome tailgate and cheer your team to their next victory in a comfortable setting, make sure to check out our checklist for all your tailgate needs. Don’t stress over purchasing big-ticket items, rather rent and let us take care of all your needs.

Chairs – Make sure to have plenty of places for your guests to sit and enjoy food, company and the game! We have many styles to choose from, including, folding, cushioned and even child sized!

2316

Tables – Keep your tailgate fun and functional with a variety of tables. We have 6 foot, 8 foot, round, square, rectangular and a wide variety of other sizes to meet your needs

2179

Linens – We can help you support your team by showing their colors with our wide variety of linen colors and choices.

Canopy Tent – Beat the fall heat and provide your guests with a shaded tailgate with a canopy tent in a variety of sizes.

2632

Food – Need a grill? Hot dog steamer? Popcorn machine? Snow Cone maker? We’ve got them all available for rent!

Inflatables – Provide some entertainment for the younger members of your tailgate crew with an inflatable.

5038

For help planning your next tail-gate, stop by and see the experts at Action Rental and Sales! We look forward to showcasing the wide variety of party rental items we have. From chairs to china to lighting to tents to linens and more we have everything you need to have the best event in town! Stop by our showroom at 1861 Eastman Road, visit our website at www.actionrentalkpt.com or call us at 423-246-5181.

 

Keep Your Home Looking Great With Pressure Washing

 

3678

Every day you take actions to keep your home and car looking their best. Whether it is mowing your yard, washing your car, cleaning the inside of your home, trimming your hedges, sweeping your sidewalks or vacuuming your carpets, you take care of your property. However, one thing many people miss is pressuring washing the siding of their homes.

If you regularly pressure wash your home, it is much easier than you may think.  The longer you let dirt build up on the siding, the harder it is to clean.  Pressure washing is a quick and easy way to refresh your home’s exterior and make it look new again. In addition to your home, pressure washing your sidewalks and driveway help immensely.

3696

One things that stops a lot of people is that they don’t have the right equipment. However, Action Rentals can help and be your stop shop for pressure washing equipment. From your basic equipment to extra hoses, daily or weekly rentals, we’ve got what you need to make your home have that fresh, clean feeling once again!

We are more than happy to provide any knowledge or experience we have to make sure that your projects are done with a minimum of hassle and a maximum amount of safety! We look forward to helping you with your next home or business project. Check out our website at www.actionrentalkpt.com, visit our showroom at 1861 Eastman Road, or give us a call at 423-246-5181.