Catering to all wedding themes from traditional to celeb-style and simple to extravagant, the experienced and enthusiastic professionals at Signature Events Rental Centre in London say that they have something for every bride and groom. They carry a wide variety of items in an array of styles and colours, like tents, tables, chairs (including the ever popular chivari), place settings, linens, favours, invitations and more – they truly are a one-stop shop for all things wedding. Plus, they're always adding to their inventory and keeping up with colour and style trends so they can accommodate every budget. With a focus on both quality products and quality customer service combined with competitive prices and a goal to make your wedding everything you imagined it to be, the goal at Signature is to make sure they never have an unhappy bride.

We met with President & Co-owner Mari-Lea Johnston and Event Coordinator Heather Burger to find out why brides already love this company and why vendors recommend it – like another favourite in The Ring, Dowding Water Gardens, who uses Signature Events for all of their tent rentals. Here's what we found out...

Personally speaking...

Along with her Co-Owner, Cathy McManus, Mari-Lea had attended and planned many events before 2002 and they both felt that there was a need for a rental store that could cater to all of their needs. So, they decided to open Signature Events Rental Centre (originally named The Wedding and Party Rental Centre). They began with some basic folding chairs, a few tables and small tents in January 2002. Now, eight years later, their inventory has expanded to multiple types of chairs, dishware, tables, a large selection of tents, a new selection of linens, and much, much more to accommodate any event.

On top of adding to their inventory, these ladies have also added to their staff with Heather Burger, Event Coordinator, Chris Carriere, General Manager and all of the experienced and helpful people who are part of the process: set-up crews, laundry and dishwashing, as well as the additional warehouse staff behind the scenes.

"Our staff has experience planning their own weddings, friends' and family members' weddings and have been a part of social committees for graduations, proms and charitable organizations," says Heather. Some of the staff members even have formal training in wedding consulting, graphic design, interior design, fine art, journalism and tent installation.

Plus, as part of the team at Signature Events, the members' experience continues to grow as Heather told us that they average about thirty to fifty tent weddings per season and they're involved in other ways with hundreds of other weddings and various events each year. Some of their charity involvement includes events with the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) Foundation – like Heart to Heart with Rick Mercer, annual support for the Three-on-Three Face Off Against CF Road Hockey Tournament, as well as Bethany's Hope Foundation and The Jason Edmunds Foundation for Road Safety. They also supply tents used in the annual Sunfest Festival and the Home County Folk Festival.

And still, after so many events, especially weddings, over the course of eight years, Heather says that the team is "constantly inspired by our brides who push the envelope and put their unique touch on their wedding day." She adds that they love being able to be a part of a couple's wedding and are honoured knowing that brides and grooms put their trust in Signature Events' abilities, which she says pushes them to continue to do their best every day.

The Signature way...

Two of the biggest selling points of Signature Events, according to Heather, are the quality of their products and their commitment to customer service. "We are very picky about the cleanliness of our inventory," says Heather. That means that each tent is cleaned and inspected prior to delivery.

Since the team at Signature Events knows that this is your big day, they say they want you to be happy – even if that means they have to travel to Kincardine or Windsor (which they have done in the past, though they typically stick to Southwestern Ontario). "Our goal is to make your wedding everything you imagined it to be," says Heather. "We try to accommodate all of our brides' needs - whether it's delivery times, custom orders or tracking down rare or unique items." She adds that a lot of their customers come to them from referrals or because they saw how awesome the Signature Events team and décor were at past weddings.

Brides aren't the only ones talking about this company as Dowding Water Gardens exclusively uses Signature Events for all of their tent rentals. "We have great relationships with many area caterers, banquet facilities, florists, etc.," says Heather. "So we can work with them as well to coordinate all wedding details."

The list is endless...

Whether it's a backyard wedding or simply a bride looking for the perfect centerpiece for her banquet hall, Heather says that there is something at Signature Events for every one, which she says a lot of brides like because they can take an item and personalize it to meet their particular wedding style. "And because we carry so many things, brides don't have to run around to ten different shops to get everything - they get one bill, from one store - no complications," says Heather.

Plus, they're constantly adding to their inventory to keep up with colour and style trends (and to make sure they can offer something to accommodate every budget). "We really don't have an ideal bride - whether your budget is $500 or $5000 there is something here for every wedding" - even if you're a DIY bride, adds Heather. Prices vary depending on what it is you want. Delivery and set-up are available at an additional cost.

"Everything that we needed was there," Karrie and Darrell Snow told The Ring, when we asked about Signature Events' extensive products. They hired Signature Events for their June 2008 wedding for tent, tables, chair and all décor rentals and Karrie says they did an amazing job.

A tent for every event...

Signature Events carries many different kinds of tents in all shapes and sizes. Heather told us that their hexagon marquis-style tents are their most popular item. "They are a unique shape and feature an elegant peak with no centre pole so it floats above supported by cross wires, which means all the space inside the tent is usable. There are also no guy wires to worry about with this style of tent." explains Heather. These tents can be grouped together with other sizes of marquis-style tents or pole tents to fit in a variety of spaces (ideal for backyard weddings or where space is limited). Heather adds that a lot of brides also use this tent for their ceremony because of its unique look.

Prices for tents vary but start at $75 for a 10x10 sized one and can go up to $2000 for a 40x120 sized one. "Everything was priced perfect and the product was definitely worth the price," Karrie and Darrell told us, who found that Signature Events' prices fell within their budget.

The finishing touches...

If you're renting a tent for your outdoor wedding, then you probably also need everything else that goes along with it to complete the look. From tables (banquet and round) to chairs and place settings to linens, Signature Events can provide the finishing touches to turn your tent reception into an elegant affair. They carry several styles of chairs ranging in price from $1.50 to $6.25, including the ever popular chivari chair. "This is the chair you see being used at every Hollywood gala and we carry them in silver, gold and mahogany," says Heather. She adds that this style of chair can really give a wow-factor with very little effort. Chairs can also be covered starting at $3 each and are available in white, ivory, black, chocolate brown, red, gold, silver or chocolate brocade.

Table linens also come in a variety of colours (white, black, ivory, silver, teal, burgundy, purple, mango, etc.) and range in price from $4 to $15. They can also be dressed up with overlays for $12 to $15 in such colours as sage green, silver, gold, light pink, champagne, white embroidered vine, soft yellow, lavender and more. But the options don't end there as you can also add runners, napkins and skirting.

Now that your tables are dressed in linens, it's time for the place settings. From Signature Events you can rent glassware starting at $3 per dozen and their variety is endless as Heather notes that they offer seven styles of porcelain dishes ($1.50 to $5 per dozen) and six different cutlery styles (from $3 to $4.50 per dozen).

Signature Events can also offer décor for other areas of your wedding, like centrepieces (of which they have more than twenty styles to choose from), archways, easels, gift card boxes, candelabras, columns and more.

All of the extras...

Signature Events really is a one-stop shop for so many wedding details as they also sell guest favours, invitations, guest books and more. "We carry a large selection of retail wedding inventory, our invitation books are always on sale and we are London's exclusive dealer of Hollywood's biggest craze for wedding cakes - Bel Aire Bridal Cake Jewellery, which feature Swarovski Crystals!" says Heather.

A few of The Ring's favourite things...

When we went to visit Signature Events this year to check out what was new, they showed us the latest addition to their studio - a Bridal Showcase Room where brides can 'play' with a variety of tablecloths, chairs, dinnerware, cutlery, centrepieces, and different themed décor to get an idea of what their specific set-up could look like for their wedding. And with so many materials and colours to choose from - the possibilities and endless and we could see how easy it would be to lose yourself for many hours trying them all out.

Walking you through it...

Heather recommends booking Signature Events Rental Centre at least six months to one year before your wedding. They don't require you to book an appointment to meet with them, so you can either call with questions or stop by their store and any of the friendly staff members can help you out.

When you meet with Signature Events, they will discuss your needs with you and show you the various selections they have so you can better decide. Once you know what you want, they will give you a quote for rental costs and a simulated picture on the computer of what the inside set-up of your tent reception will look like.

Once you've seen all of this and you're ready to book a 25% non-refundable deposit is due. Before orders leave the store they're packed by the warehouse staff and double checked for accuracy. "Each tent is cleaned and inspected prior to delivery and we rent only wedding-white tents," explains Heather.

If you've rented a tent from Signature Events, the delivery/installation crew will arrive at your location one to two days prior to the wedding to install the tent (which is included in the price) and deliver any other rentals. Set-up of other items is also available for an additional cost. Final numbers are needed about a week before the wedding and the remaining balance is due on the day of or the day before the wedding. After the wedding, the crew will also take down the tent for you so you don't have to worry about a thing.

A few fabulous wedding trends and ideas by Signature...

Having a variety of centrepieces instead of uniformed all the way through is a fun way to add some uniqueness. Like different shapes and sizes of vases with various contents in them – be it flowers, candles, etcetera. Chandeliers and candelabras are also popular to throw into the mix. "Nothing has to match," says Mari-Lea.

Another neat new trend, instead of having tables numbered from one to twelve, is using numbers or dates that are special to the bride and groom. For example, the number of days they've known each other, the number of months they've been together, the date they got engaged…

GREEN GREEN GREEN! Both colour and environmentally! Green is a big colour for 2010! From emerald to lime, in any shade, green is a fresh accent colour! And for the environmentally conscious bride and groom, renting your dishware, glass wear and utensils is a great way to be green!

Floor vases make excellent aisle markers. Simply fill with water and floating candles, flowers or fabric in your accent colour for a unique look. Varying heights and styles of vases make even more of an impact!

Details, details, details

• Prices vary depending on what you rent or buy; tents range from $75 to $2000, plus taxes and permits (if applicable). Delivery and set-up are available at an additional cost - call or email for pricing.
• Book Signature Events at least 6 to 12 months before your wedding - just call or stop by to check out their endless inventory of products, get a quote and a simulated picture of your tent set-up.
• A 25% deposit is due at the time of booking with the remaining balance due the day of or the day before your wedding. Final numbers are required 2 weeks prior to the event date.
• Signature Events is a one-stop shop for your wedding needs and offer such rentals and items as tents, tables, chairs, place settings, an extensive linen selection, wedding favours, invitations and guest books, to name a few.

Looking for more?

To find out more about Signature Events Rental Centre or to book them for your wedding, contact them by phone at 519-474-7278 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .. They are located at 15-1700 Hyde Park Road in London. You can also check out their extensive rental items on their website at www.signatureevents.ca.