All About Renting Portable Restrooms for Your Wedding

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Not all brides need to rent additional restrooms; if you're saying "I do" at a hotel or banquet hall, your venue will probably have adequate facilities. However, brides marrying at parks, golf courses, and private houses should consider renting portable toilets. "Any outdoor event that does not have permanent restroom facilities needs port-o-potties," says Jim Lavarone, Operating Manager of Mill Valley Refuse Service in San Rafael, California. "A large crowd will also have needs that overwhelm the bathroom facilities in typical homes. And many bathrooms are accessed through a bedroom, which the host might not be comfortable having strangers-or nosey relatives!-walk through," says Lavarone.

Additionally, you should consider renting portable washrooms if you will be inviting guests with special needs that may not be served by the restrooms at your wedding location. Keri Ross, Vice-President of Room To Go Inc. in Millgrove, Canada, suggests renting wheelchair accessible washrooms if you are marrying at an older venue that does not offer handicapped-friendly facilities. Elderly guests and parents with small children will also appreciate these larger, more easily accessible units.

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The uncomfortable restrooms you remember from childhood visits to fairgrounds and parks are a thing of the past. "Portable restrooms have evolved to the point that they can actually enhance the ambiance of a wedding," says Viola M. Sarkantyus, Marketing Manager of restroom service provider Mr. John in Keasbey, New Jersey. "Even small budgets can take advantage of industry upgrades with a single portable unit that includes a flushing toilet and sink with running water."

When deciding what unit to rent for your wedding, think about the features you would like the washrooms to include, as well as how much money you are willing to spend on restroom facilities. "Regular units have just a toilet and urinal," says Lavarone. "Other units have hand sanitizer dispensers or sinks in them. The most deluxe units are actually flushable."

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Trailer units, which Chelsea Clinton reportedly rented for her wedding, are the most luxurious type of portable restroom. "A restroom trailer generally has upscale amenities built inside and can add a touch of class to an event," says Sarkantyus of Mr. John. These higher end units usually offer fresh water sinks, flushing, and provide a similar user experience as a regular, non-portable restroom.

Units vary from company to company, so advance planning is needed to ensure that you aren't disappointed by your portable restrooms on the day of the wedding. "All portable washrooms are not created equally! Take the time to go in person and see what you will be getting," says Ross.

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The number of restrooms you should rent will depend on a number of factors, including the length of the party, the number of guests and whether a full meal is served. Eliza J. Kendall, founder of restroom supplier ElizaJ in Harwich, Massachusetts says that you should plan on renting one unit for every five guests attending an average four to six hour event. To get an exact figure, you should describe your wedding to the rental company and ask them to advise you on your restroom needs.

To help with the early planning stages, Sarkantyus recommends looking at the guidelines of The Portable Sanitation Association International (available on Mr. John's website) , which gives a rough idea of the typical number of restrooms needed based on the number of guests and the length of the event.

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Restroom placement is very important; putting the restrooms in the wrong location can cause difficulties for you and your guests. "The location needs to be accessible by a truck which will be delivering the restrooms," says Sarkantyus. "The chosen spot should be dry and level, so the truck does not get stuck and the restroom will remain balanced especially with added weight during use."

You'll also need to ensure that the restrooms are easily accessible during the duration of the wedding. "You want to place the toilets in a discreet location that can still be found by your guests. You should obviously not put them behind the head table, or right beside the cook tent," says Kendall. If your wedding is spread out-you're serving drinks in one area, and dinner in another, for example-you may want to place restrooms in multiple locations.

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"Pricing varies based on the location of your wedding and on how many restrooms are needed. There is also a fee for delivery, set up and pick up after the event. A single, no frills portable toilet is generally around $125 for the rental," says Sarkantyus. "An upgraded unit with running water can run around $250, while a luxury single restroom can cost up to $450."

Restroom trailers are usually the most expensive type of portable toilet, running from $800 to upwards of $2,500 per unit, says Kendall. At these prices, companies often include amenities such as fresh flower sprays, toiletries, and guest baskets; you may have to provide these items yourself for less expensive units.

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You don't have to spend a fortune to make your restrooms a pleasant experience for your guests. "Any restroom can be decorated to create an upscale feel and to match wedding colors," says Sarkantyus. "Just adding fresh flowers, potpourri and restroom accessory baskets will make guests feel special. The exterior of the restroom can also be disguised with potted plants or lattice to create a more permanent feel."

Making sure the restrooms smell nice is also an easy way to upgrade your guests' experience. "Most companies will deliver units that have been freshly sprayed with an air freshener, but you may also want to add your own air freshener to make sure that the unit will smell as good at the end of the party as it did at the start," says Lavarone.

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