Tips for the Coveted Tent Wedding
Ahhh the beautiful backyard tent wedding, so much easier and more cost effective… *record scratch* This is a common misconception about tent weddings because in reality they are MUCH harder to execute and there are so many extra details that need to be considered. But don’t worry we are here to help with our best tent wedding tips!
When choosing a tent you need to make sure you get the appropriate size for your needs. The size quoted by tent rental companies is for the number of total people it can hold, however, you need to factor in all the additional items required inside the tent! For example, if you are having a 150 person wedding and your tent holds 150 people you actually need a much bigger tent because that doesn’t factor in space for all of your other wedding elements such as guest book table, bar, dance floor, DJ/band, cake table, etc. All of these items take up space and you do not want your guests crowded in like sardines! It is crucial to choose the appropriate size tent to fit your needs. Work with a professional wedding planner to ensure a floor plan is designed to scale and includes all the necessary extras.
You need to consider the space requirements on the property you are choosing as well. The property needs to have a flat surface so tables, chairs, the dance floor, etc can all be level. You also need to be able to load the tent onto the property and have the space to do so. The most important spacing requirement that sometimes gets forgotten is that you need a 10 ft – 15ft staking perimeter for your tent! So you have the space of your actual tent and then another 10 ft-15ft out from the tent as well to hold it in place.
On top of all the regular decor planning that needs to go into a wedding, there are many key logistics that need to be considered with a tent wedding such as power sources, lighting, flooring, washrooms, temperature and more! Generators are a must for tent weddings since you need to have power sources for things such as lighting, DJ or musician services, catering and more. Your guests will need to use the washrooms so you must make sure either indoor or portable washrooms are accessible from your tented space. Lighting is another big factor that needs to be considered especially if your reception is going late into the evening. No one wants to be sitting outside in a dark tent!
Whether you choose to only have a dance floor or flooring throughout your entire tent, it’s essential that it’s flat for the safety of your guests. The weather also plays a role in the comfort and ease of your day. If it is likely to be a sweltering summer day having air misters or fans is a must for the health and safety of your guests and vendors. On the flip side if you are having a fall or winter event having portable heaters is also a good idea. You want your guests to have a comfortable experience so they can stay partying long into the night!
When it comes to food, it’s often necessary to have a separate tent for your catering team especially if you are in a location that does not give them access to an indoor kitchen space. They need this space to ensure you and your guests receive properly prepared food to enjoy.
Finally one of our biggest tent wedding tips is we always recommend working with professionals! There are a lot of logistical challenges that can come up with a tent wedding so now is not the time to cut corners! Professionals in the industry know what they are doing and have executed dozens of tent weddings in the past and they can make sure yours also goes off without a hitch! Reach out to us here as we are happy to help execute the perfect tent wedding!
