Make Your Wedding a Blast With Concession Machine Rentals

Concession machines can add a whimsical, nostalgic element to your wedding, bringing smiles to all your guests and making happy memories for everyone. But which concessions machines are available to rent, and how can you make them part of your special day?

Types of Concession Machine Rentals

Concession machines can be fun food options at your wedding, and there are many different types available. While not every rental retailer will offer each type of machine, common options include:

• Popcorn machines and carts
• Cotton candy machines
• Nacho warmers and cheese dispensers
• Hot dog rollers and warmers
• Snow cone or shaved ice machines
• Caramel corn or kettle corn machines
• Electric juicers
• Funnel cake fryers
• Slushie machines

These concession machines are generally larger than at-home, personal varieties, and they have a larger capacity to be suitable for serving crowds. 

Concession Machines at Your Wedding

There are many different ways you can incorporate a concession machine into your wedding festivities. Depending on your wedding location, time, and preferences, you might consider…

• Using a concession machine to provide a welcome treat to greet your guests as they arrive at the ceremony site.
• Providing concessions between the ceremony and reception in lieu of the traditional cocktail-and-appetizer hour.
• Offering concessions as part of the reception schedule, such as treats during the speeches or during a wedding slideshow.
• Having concessions available during the party period after the meal has ended but the festivities are ongoing.
• Ending the night with a final treat for your guests at the close of the reception.

It can also be fun to incorporate your wedding theme with any concession machines you use. Cotton candy, for example, can be dyed to match pastel wedding colors, or a popcorn cart can be a whimsical accessory for a Hollywood glamor wedding theme. Will you be going on a Mexican honeymoon? Add a nacho cart to your reception dining or use a slushie machine to prepare frozen margaritas for your guests. Concessions can also be part of customized dining options, such as adding an elaborate toppings bar to go with a fun hot dog cart.
Take care, however, not to overdo concession machines at your wedding. While one or two machines can be whimsical and fun, too many can seem corny or immature and can leave a negative impression on your wedding day.

Tips for Concession Machine Rentals

Just like any rental equipment for your wedding, it is important that you choose concession machines thoughtfully and understand their operation thoroughly before your big day. When renting concession machines…

• Consult your vendors before renting. 

Some caterers may not be willing to include concession machines in the overall dining plan, or location sites may not permit different types of machines because of noise or trash. Always be sure the machine will be allowed before you rent one.

• Consider the machine’s overall capacity and the size of your guest list. 

If a snow cone machine can make 50 cones in an hour but you have invited 250 people to your wedding, you may have long lines and disappointment instead of tasty treats to share with everyone.

• Provide the proper power source.

Ensure any machine you rent can be properly powered at the event site, whether that means suitable outlets or adding a generator to the rental agreement to keep the machine running safely and smoothly.

• Follow all operating instructions carefully.

Read all instructional manuals before operating a concession machine, or ask for a demonstration of how it is safely operated. Consult with your event staff to designate one person for the machine’s operation, or enlist a willing volunteer to be properly trained.

• Equip your machine with all essential accessories. 

What serving gear will be needed to effectively offer these treats to your guests, such as cones for cotton candy or trays for nachos? Be sure you have appropriate toppings, condiments, and other additions as well.

• Use only the proper food or recipes in the machine.

Changing recommended recipes or altering how the machine is used can lead to clogs, jams, or improper cooking, which can damage the machine and lead to steep fees, not to mention the disappointed guests who didn’t get to sample the treats.

• Understand your rental agreement fully.

Note when and how any concession machines are to be delivered and set up at your wedding, as well as when they are to be returned and whether they will need to be cleaned or dismantled before being returned. Note any fines and small print in the contract, including contact numbers if there is a problem with the machine during your event.

Concession machines can be a fun and tasty part of your wedding, if you consider them thoughtfully and operate them effectively. By providing these fun treats to your guests, you will create more wedding memories that everyone will enjoy for years.