How To Choose A Wedding Tent

Renting a good tent is important when planning an outdoor wedding. While tents provide a cozy and personal touch to the whole outdoor wedding décor, they also shield you and your guests from unfavorable weather conditions. Tents are also more flexible than existing facilities because you have more options regarding where and how you want to have your wedding. However, they are more expensive and can cost you around $3,000 to $6,000 without the extras such as lighting, flooring, and the cost of delivery, setup, and removal.


Types of Wedding Tents:


These are some of the popular tents that you may want to check out before making a decision.


Party Canopy: This is a lightweight tent designed to protect from sun and rain. Installation is easy, and inexpensive to rent in comparison to other types.


Pop-up Canopy: Another lightweight tent with collapsible-frame fabric. Installation is also easy.


Frame Tent: A tent with a metal frame having no center poles. The rental company usually installs it.


Tension tent: This type is built with high center poles, a steeply sloped ceiling, with a more open feeling inside of the tent.


Pole Tent: This type has poles around the perimeter and in the center, which is very practical for harsher weather conditions. The rental company will install it.


Location and Flooring:


The best location for setting up the wedding tent is on an even high ground, and should be free of overhead utility lines. If the site has uneven terrain or experiences high rainfall, try to include plywood or plastic flooring. Plywood can be expensive but it will provide a durable raised floor and is suitable for almost any type of terrain. Plastic floor is ideal for paved surfaces and is much cheaper than plywood floors. Also consider parquet-wood floor which can be used as the dance floor.


Size of the Tent:


There's no harm in renting a tent that's a little larger than actually required. Think of a tent size in which your guests can be comfortably seated. Here's how you should estimate tent seating specifications:


All chairs in rows: 6 square feet per person Round tables: 12 square feet per person Rectangular tables: 8 square feet per person Cocktails and receptions: 8 square feet per person


Along with these specifications, figure in the bar area, cake table, band area buffet tables, and dance floor.


Color of the Tent:


The traditional color for tents is white but you can choose from a wide variety and combinations, depending on the theme and mood of your wedding. For example, if you want a romantic starlit night sky to be part of your wedding, rent a tent with a translucent ceiling. Sidewalls can be solid white for more private affairs, clear vinyl to let in natural light, and cathedral-window walls for a more decorative touch.


Optional:


Remember that every rental firm also provides optional accessories which can really underscore the décor of your wedding and the tent. Choose those that will fit in to the theme and tone of the wedding. Other accessories that you can't do without may include air-conditioning (for areas with extreme climates), carpeting, portable bars, decorative lighting etc.

About the Author

Tents HQ offers articles and tips about different tents and camping.

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Party Tent Pole Q&A

How to make a tent/canopy outdoors for sweet sixteen?

My sweet sixteen is in a month and I'm having a party of about 45 people outside. I have a huge patio but i want it to be covered and walled off, with lights and stuff inside. I looked into renting a party tent for 20x30, but I don't have $300 to spend alone on the tent. How could I make one? Using clothesline? fabric? poles? I have no idea how to do it.

So, 20x30 with a roof/cover and walls. I only really need three walls.

Any suggestions?

clear plastic from wall-mart should be less then $30 could look good if done right .you find it in the painting area