Wedding Tents
by: Carl Walker
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.
Choosing the right colors for your wedding ceremony and reception decor are very important early on. My thinking is that you should choose your colors and theme before you do anything else. Not only should you make your colors decision, but you should stick to it as well. Many brides bounce from one idea to another and this accomplishes nothing but killing time.
One of my favorite color selecting ideas is to visit a fabric store and browse their fabrics. Play with the fabrics and swatches while there, and if the fabric store has crafts and silk flowers play with them as well to come up with accent or centerpiece ideas.
Popular fabrics for decor items are:
Tulle which is an afforable way to make chair sashes and bowes, or simply hide things that are unattractive.
Organza (more expensive), which can be used for ceiling drapings, back drops, table runners, or full table linens.
Taffeta (usually more expensive than organza), can be used for accents, or decorative table runners, wrapping for the bridal bouquet stems, and more.
Another great way to pick your colors is to browse stationary, or better yet wedding invitations. There are new chick styles that allow couples to show off their personality. Pick your invitations, and match everything after that to them!
Winter is coming - And there's no better time as far as budget to plan a wedding than in the winter!
Many wedding vendors will often adjust their rates during the winter season simply because they are experiencing a slow time. Vendors also know that they're competing with most people's gift shopping budget during this time of year as well. So, winter weddings are not only beautiful, but often more affordable.
