A wedding reception beneath a gorgeously decorated tent can provide the best of both worlds. You get the feel of an outdoor reception, yet you’re protected from the elements. And during the COVID pandemic, there’s been renewed interest in outdoor tent weddings, since there are safety benefits to hosting your event outside. Of course, planning an outdoor tent wedding is a bit more complicated than simply pitching a tent atop a picturesque green space. A wedding in a tent comes with its own set of unique challenges. Before you say yes to a tented wedding, take these considerations under advisement.
Weather
The number one consideration before booking a wedding tent should be the weather. Of course, there’s no way to tell far in advance if it will rain on your wedding day, but you can take some other factors into consideration. Are you hosting a summer wedding in a location where it’s sure to be sweltering? Do you want to get married on a mountaintop where snow could be drifting outside your tent? These factors aren’t insurmountable, but it does mean you’ll need to factor extra accessories into your budget – like air-conditioning units or fans in the summer or propane heaters in the winter.
Budget
A wedding tent is basically a blank canvas, which is wonderful for making your wedding vision come to life. But it also means nearly everything has to be rented a la carte—and pricing varies widely. From tent size to lighting to a dance floor to furniture rentals, a tent rental and its attendant accoutrements can add up quickly—and the more luxe you go, the higher the cost. Another added expense? The set-up.
Type of Tent
When planning an outdoor tent wedding, you’ll first need to choose the type of tent or tents you’ll be utilizing. Note that there are different types of wedding tent structures, as well as different types of materials (for example, sailcloth). Some venues, like country clubs or gardens, might have a specific type of tent they use or a permanent tent on site, while at other venues, like a backyard, you can have your choice of tents. Working with a reputable tent rental company will ensure that you choose the perfect tent for your event’s location, size, and style. Here are the most common types of wedding tent structures available for rental:
Frame Tent
A frame tent is held up by a metal frame, and is among the most versatile of the structures for an outdoor tent wedding—meaning it can be set up on most types of ground, including harder surfaces like concrete or wood. Frame tents are popular because they are freestanding, with no poles to contend with when placing reception tables and other décor.
Pole Tent
This wedding tent is held up by poles, which create a unique peaked effect on tent’s ceiling. While you’ll have to work around the poles to figure out your floor plan, you can also decorate the poles in unique ways (adding greenery, for example). This type of tent structure can only be set up on a softer surface, like grass.
Marquee Tent
This tent structure features the peaked ceiling of a pole tent without the use of center poles. The framework of this tent is similar to that of a frame tent, so it can be used on both hard and soft surfaces. Marquee tents are typically smaller than frame or pole tents, and are often used as walkways or cocktail hour spaces, though they can be combined to form a larger reception tent.
If you’re planning to get married outside, be smart and safe and rent a wedding tent. Your stress level will be so much lower on your big day!
At Rocky Mount Awning & Tent, we are dedicated to making your storefront a success. We have been serving the Rocky Mount, North Carolina and surrounding areas since 1925. No matter what kind of business you own, or whether you’re seeking awnings, signs, or tents, we’ve got you covered. We’re proud of the work we’ve done throughout Eastern North Carolina. Let’s get started! Contact us today.