The ATB Dream Team and I LOVE tented events! Check our Pintrest board to see a variety of tent styles, ways to set them up, light and decorate them. Before you decide to have your wedding or event under a tent take a look at some of events that All the Best Weddings & Celebrations has done under a tent.
Christina and Louis wanted specialty coffees and smoothies for their guests. A separate tent, with it’s own generator, was added to the side of the main tent. Photo courtesy of Jen Rutherford Photography.
Tented events are very labor intensive. Think about it – everything that goes under that tent has to be brought to the site. Every utensil, plate, and glass. Every bite of food, every drink, every everything has to be ordered, picked, packed, delivered, unloaded, set up, cleaned up, packed up and returned to whence it came. It could cost, on average, 20% more for a tented event than for a similar event held at a reception venue even if it’s in your backyard (unless guests self-serve ziti from aluminum trays on paper plates with plastic utensils).
Janel’s parents had to cut down several trees and grind the stumps before this big tent could go up for her and Pete’s wedding for 200+ guests. Photo courtesy of Jen Rutherford Photography
The size of the tent will depend a few things especially guest count. Lighting requires power as does entertainment, fans, air conditioning (or heaters) and catering. Are you close to enough electrical outlets that can handle all the power required or do you need a generator?
Christina and Louis provided valet parking and hotel shuttle transportation as parking was limited at the private oceanfront home they rented. Photo courtesy of Jen Rutherford PhotographyHeather and Tim kept the decor under the tent simple. Cream crinkled linens, cherry wood chivari chairs, lanterns, and white flowers. Photo courtesy of ADC PhotographyJill and Mark brightened their tent with various shades of blue for their nautical themed wedding in her parents backyard. Photo courtesy of The Artist GroupChristina and Louis choose to line the ceiling of the tent and cover the poles so that guests saw the beauty of the ocean not the frame of the tent. Lighting was provided by crystal chandeliers when the sun set. Photo courtesy of Jen Rutherford Photography
Putting your tent around or near a pool? You can create a custom mat for the bottom of the pool. You can also have custom decals created for the sides or top of the tent.
Jill’s brother in law missed a step while leading the conga line around the pool and went for an unexpected swim (baby monitor and all). Photo courtesy of The Artist Group.Heather and Tim’s tent had a full floor with white carpet. The back wall separated the catering from the guests. There was another tent for the bathroom trailer. The rental company was onsite for a week prior to the event. Photo courtesy of ADC PhotographyJanel and Pete were married on Father’s Day which turned out to be hot and humid! Giant fans helped cool everyone off. AC for a tent that size was possible (but expensive). Photo courtesy of Jen Rutherford Photography.Kristin of Reverie Made did all of the event design for her wedding day. Her fiance Adam and both families provided a lot of the labor. It took them 3 days to completely set up this wedding. Photo courtesy of Tony Yang Photography
A tent offers one of the most unique ways to put your personal stamp on your event. You’re literally starting with a blank canvas so you can make it anything you want from black-tie to casual. What’s your tent style?
Bring some color in with linens and lighting. Keeping it casual? Try picnic tables with bench seating. Want to go a little more formal? Long tables with ballroom chairs will look fabulous!
Just remember you can’t do anything about the weather so you will have to have a Plan B in case it rains (they do make rain gutters for tents and covered walkways can be added), unexpected costs can add up and you’ll need to be on your toes with the details if you’re doing this on your own. IMHO it’s so worth it!
