Wedding Tents

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site.

Ellie Nan Storck is a Senior Editor for and a seasoned writer and editor with seven years of travel and lifestyle editorial experience, with expertise in hotels, honeymoon destinations, and wedding venues.

There are plenty of reasons , grooms, and planners love tented weddings—the ambiance, the cozy feeling, the air of intimacy, and having the whole party (and all the wedding décor) safe and protected from the elements. But setting up this kind of wedding structure is nothing like putting together the tent you and your fiancé use when you go camping. It takes a lot of work and requires ample preparation and planning—logistically and financially.

The Prefect Tent For Your Outdoor Wedding

There are lots of details that must be taken into consideration before making the decision to opt for a tented wedding. For example, if you love the look of a clear-top tent (the see-through structure is great at bringing the outdoors in at your event) keep in mind that it acts as a greenhouse of sorts, trapping warm air and potentially wilting your wedding flowers.

In order to plan accordingly and avoid any mishaps, you can get started on planning your own canopied big day by taking note of these 10 must-know facts about wedding tents.

Renting a tent is expensive (generally starting around $1, 500 for 100 guests), and you're also responsible for the cost of all the other rentals, décor, and equipment it takes to turn the space into an inviting atmosphere for the wedding or reception. Make sure that the tent cost is one of the first costs that you consider during your initial budget planning conversation.

Wonderful Wedding Tents

Take into consideration not only what you want to achieve aesthetically, but also important aspects such as the weather, décor, and functionality of the space. This all starts with the model. Pole tents have peaks created by center beams and the covering is usually made from vinyl or sailcloth. Structure and frame tents, on the other hand, have an open steel shell that can support heavy equipment like big speakers. Clear-top tents are sleek and modern, offering views of the surrounding landscape (but you'll want to keep in mind the greenhouse effect).

Focus on the view and the scale of the tent in relation to the surroundings—it shouldn't swallow the entire plot of land. And don't forget to find a flat surface at least 10 feet from any building (for the ten stakes).

Keep in mind the tent entrances and exits, and where they are in proximity to bathrooms and other venue spaces (like a hotel or house) so that guests flow in and out of the tent area with ease.

X 80' Frame Tent For Sale

Can you stake directly into the ground? Are there noise restrictions (there probably are)? When can you start setting up? That last one's crucial because putting together a tent can take anywhere from one to four days.

Rental companies have a limited supply of styles and sizes, so book one as soon as you finalize your date and have a good idea of the guest count—no later than six months before the wedding is our recommendation.

A tent that's too big or too small can mess up the flow and vibe of your party. As a general rule, figure 18 square feet of tent per person for a seated dinner and dancing.

Wedding Tent Ideas

If you're worried that your tent might be too big for your party size, add warm lighting (think large candles on the floor or hanging lights). This can make a massive tent appear cozy and intimate, especially if you lack the headcount to fill out the space. Plus, the ambiance of a warmly lit tent will photograph beautifully.

In perfect weather, you can leave a tent open (meaning no walls). But if you need to keep the outdoor elements outside, have wall paneling ready, along with a plan that can be put into action quickly. If you don't have a planner or on-site coordinator, it's wise to have specific people ready to help set this up if the weather changes.

While grass is your cheapest option when it comes to flooring, you might not want to worry about if anyone ruining their heels. Plan to cover the ground with wood flooring, sisal carpet, or Astroturf (an affordable option) in a neutral hue as an alternative. And don't forget about the dance floor!

Wedding Reception Outdoor Stock Photo

Trust us: Nothing is worse than being trapped inside a tent with no air conditioning in August. Depending on your wedding date, you may need air conditioners, fans, or heat lamps to keep everyone comfortable and happy.

Music will be nice and loud on the dance floor, but what about during cocktail hour and dinner? Have your DJ or band do a test run before the event to ensure that guests

Can hear everything, too. You'll also want to do a trial for speeches to ensure the mics are loud enough (and not too loud).moment, or perhaps you stumbled across wedding tents while researching different venues for your big day. Regardless of how you decided a tent wedding was the right fit for your special day, there’s a lot couples need to know about wedding tents. Not only do the types of tents vary considerably, but there are also plenty of tent wedding ideas you should be aware of before you commit to one. With so many details to consider, it’s fair that putting together a tent wedding reception can feel a bit overwhelming.

Armbruster Manufacturing Co.

To help couples simplify the planning process, we’ve found a number of tent wedding ideas you’ll really love. This guide begins with the basics of tented weddings and gives you details about how to choose the right tent, how wedding day weather comes into the picture, design tent wedding ideas, and even how to properly light your wedding tent in the most functional and chic way. No matter what vision you have for your tented wedding reception, it’s possible to make it happen—as long as you plan diligently and carefully source everything you’re going to need. And don’t worry, you don’t have to do it alone—your wedding planner will be there to help too.

Industry experts shared their best piece of advice for creating an unforgettable tented wedding celebration. When deciding which tent wedding ideas you want to bring to life with the help of your wedding vendors, keep these words of wisdom in mind.

As with any wedding, start with the budget. Remember to include items for a tented/ backyard wedding like restrooms (for guests and staff), power, lighting, a kitchen build-out, etc. These are often not in a typical wedding budget and will help you get the full picture for a tented wedding. —Bluebird Productions

Wedding Tent Styles From 41 Real Celebrations [photos]

Talk to your planner or designer in the very beginning of your venue selection to identify if a tent the proper size for your event fits within the venue constraints. Also, don’t be shy to request a tent quote before you sign with your outdoor venue so you can ensure the costs inherent with tenting are within the confines of your budget goals. —Luke Wilson Events

A custom tented space typically calls for more vendors than an established venue. In our experience these types of weddings require much more planning and forethought than a typical venue requires, but in the end, they are so worth the effort! —Floressence Flowers

Be sure to know and work with your neighborhood's noise ordinances to guarantee a stress-free dance party. With a tent fire permits are also a must, but often your rental company will secure this for you. —Kate Whelan Events

Elegant Backyard Tent Wedding Full Of “love And Light” In Northern Westchester — Sweet Earth Co

When selecting your tent, as simple as it may seem, understand the structure. Decide which is right for you and your design. Integrating your surroundings into the design by having open sides and a clear-top allows for a connection to the landscape. One of the most popular aspects of the clear tent is that it can serve as the perfect backdrop and canvas for evoking a romantic and natural ambiance. —Elements by K.H & co.

Scaling to tent size is so important, especially if adding oversized installations to create a more intimate feel and vertical interest. If budget is of concern, I would recommend opting for one beautiful oversized piece rather than several smaller designs that may get lost in the scale of the tent. —BLOOM Floral Design

Consider the wide variety of tented options and their distinctive characteristics when finalizing the design details of your day. From clear top to open sided to sailcloth, select one that fits the overall aesthetic

Wedding And Event Rentals In Seattle