First Communion Party Rentals: Seating, Tables and Backyard Setups

First Communion is a milestone in many Catholic and other Christian communities. In Chicago and the suburbs, families usually hold the celebration on a spring Saturday or Sunday after the church service, with relatives, godparents and the child's classmates. Many parties are in backyards, which makes spring weather the biggest planning issue. Rain, wind and chilly mornings are common in April and May, so plan cover and flexibility.

Plan around the weather

Spring weather in the Chicago area swings widely, so build a plan for sun, rain and cold:

• A tent or canopy for shade and rain cover. See what size tent do I need and pop-up canopy vs rented tent.
• Heaters for cool mornings and evenings. See patio heaters.
• A hall or garage fallback if rain is likely.
• Check your village's tent rules. See tent permits in the suburbs.

The tables you need

The kid ratio of one in four is a rule of thumb. Count actual children on your list. See kids tables and chairs for sizes and heights.

Seating for the honored child

Many families seat the child and parents at a decorated family table, or give the child a special chair for photos. A velvet dining chair ($18 to $25 estimated) in a soft color or a Windsor spindle chair ($9 to $12) in white fits the day. For guests, garden folding chairs ($5 to $7) are easy to set on grass with chair feet protectors. See chairs on grass, sand and gravel.

The cake, candy and photo corner

A 6-foot table with a floor-length cloth holds a cake, cupcakes or a candy display. Place it in the shade, away from wind, and keep it close enough to the tent or house to carry things quickly. A simple arch, balloons or a sign adds a photo spot. See balloon garland rental vs DIY, signage and easels and ice cream sundae bar setup.

Setting up around the church service

Because the party usually begins right after Mass, the setup has to be done before the family leaves for church. Ask the rental company for an early delivery window, and have a relative or neighbor receive the order. Lay out the tables the night before if the weather allows, and keep chairs stacked until the morning so dew and dust do not soil them. Put linens on at the last minute, and weigh down cloths with clips if wind is expected.

Plan the flow of the afternoon: arrivals and greetings, a blessing or toast, lunch, cake and photos, then games for the kids. Put games and the kids table on one side of the yard and the adult tables on the other, with the treats table between them. A shaded spot with chairs near the kids lets grandparents watch without standing.

Chicago notes

• April and May weekends are busy for First Communions, and rental stock goes quickly. Book early. See when to book.
• Delivery windows are tight if the party starts right after church. Ask for a delivery time the evening before or early that morning.
• Ask your HOA or neighbors about a tent, parking and noise before the day.

Plan the party with us

Tell us your guest count, space and date and we will help you choose tables, chairs and shade in one call. Book a free 15-minute seating call or request a quote.