There are a lot of reasons that you might be hosting a party or event, but you more than likely don't have the lighting or sound system on hand and ready. Getting what you need is not tough if you know where to look for the right equipment. 

Rent Specialty Lighting

Renting special lighting for a wedding reception, a large birthday party, or a fundraiser of some sort is pretty common, and if you have a local party or event rental company, they can help you get what you need. If you are not sure what kind of lights you want or need for your event, the rental company can help you select the right ones. You need to tell them about your event so they can get a better idea of what lights will be the best fit for you. 

If you have a presentation during the event, you may want to rent a spotlight to highlight the speaker or presenter. For dances, lights for the dance floor could add a festive mood to the party. Call the rental company ahead of time so that they can reserve what you need for the date you need it.  Once you know what you want and the rental company confirms the date you need them, ask about getting the lights setup when they deliver the lights to the event. 

Audio or Public Address Systems

If you need a PA system for your event, you may be able to rent it at the same event rental company. For outdoor events, you need a system that offers more power and volume because the sound can get lost in the open air, but for small venues, a simple set of speakers, a mic, and the control board are probably going to do the job for you. Like the lighting, if you have questions, ask the employee at the rental company for help. they know the equipment and will have a good understanding of how large a PA system you need in your situation.

Small public address systems are sometimes easier to move around, but if they are not powerful enough to allow everyone at the event to hear whoever is speaking, the system is not going to be enough for you. It is often better to spend a little more money and rent a larger audio system than to try and cut some costs in this area. Have the rental company set up the system for you or show you how to do it before your event so that you are sure it is going to work properly. 

For more information, contact a rental company like Metro Sound & Lighting.