party lounge with leather furniture and cow hide rugs — photo: Joels View Photography

It's been just over a year since we welcomed Nicole, the creative genius behind Dreamy Events and Elope BC, into our team, and it's been amazing having her here! We had the pleasure of witnessing her business blossom from the very start, and let me tell you, when she broke the news that she would be moving on to new adventures, our hearts sank. Nicole is a bundle of pure positive energy, with a laid-back attitude and an unrivaled passion for creating unforgettable experiences. It was a total no-brainer to have her join the Perspective Team, bringing us not only her amazing vibes but also her insider knowledge as a seasoned event planner. With Nicole on board, we've gained a fresh perspective on what our fabulous planner clients truly need to make their events absolutely epic!

Now, picture this: after spending a solid nine months working her magic in the warehouse, I couldn't resist asking Nicole about her "aha" moments when it came to rentals. And I wasn’t surprised by her answer but also thought it was a good one to share...

One of the biggest revelations for Nicole was the sheer amount of work and moolah that goes into managing rentals. I mean, let's face it, it's not like slipping into someone else's stilettos and knowing exactly how much blood, sweat, and tears are poured into keeping things running smoothly. But let me give you a sneak peek into the exhilarating life cycle of one of our prized rental items—brace yourself for some serious behind-the-scenes action:

Step one: A shiny new item arrives, and we shower it with love and attention, documenting every glorious detail. We measure it, snap a glam shot for our catalog, and christen it with a fabulous name and description. Oh, and we can't forget to calculate its rental price, 'cause hey, this baby's got to earn its keep!

Step two: We do a little happy dance and shout it from the rooftops (or maybe just post about it on our social media—our marketing game is a work in progress, but we're getting there!). We want the world to know that we've got this fantastic item up for grabs!

Step three: Its on a rental order! So our trusty warehouse crew dons their inspector hats and gives each item a thorough once-over, making sure it's squeaky clean and ready to party.

Step four: Off it goes to our clients, where it becomes an integral part of creating a magical ambiance and crafting memories that'll make unicorns jealous.

Step five: After a wild ride, our rental item returns, a bit dirty but sporting a happy glow from being part of something truly special. Cue the "awws" and sentimental music!

Step six: Our superhero warehouse crew takes charge, giving the item a good cleaning and, if needed, nursing it back to health with some minor repairs. Then, it's lovingly placed back in its cozy spot in the warehouse, eagerly waiting for its next adventure.

Step seven: If an item has been gathering dust (which happens even in the most glamorous of warehouses), it gets a mini spa day—a quick dust-off and freshening up—so it's all primed and prepped for its next rendezvous.

And voilà! The cycle repeats until our rental piece has served its time at Perspective and gracefully moves on to its afterlife—whatever that may be for a party prop. Cleaning is a process that can take anywhere from a quick 5 minutes to a full-blown 4-hour extravaganza, depending on the item's needs. Sometimes, it even takes two talented souls to revive a bar that needs a little TLC or a full-blown makeover

This of course doesn't even include the magic our laundry team does! Making sure all evidence of a rockin party is taken out of the linens, washing them, then sweating their balls off while ironing everything, so its in pristine condition for its next party. Or the work that goes into our custom builds, the designing and planning, sourcing supplies, and managing the screw ups while we learn along the way.

The Journey of a Rental Item

Tid bits on Linen Selection

Design Trends for the Near Future