Tented Affairs: Party Tents For Weddings

The use of party tents for weddings is becoming more and more popular, mostly for “at home” celebrations or those held on grounds of historic mansions and parks or other outside locations. With big weddings back in style and space to accommodate them at a premium, people have looked to see what is new in tent technology, and they have been surprised, and delighted, at what they have found.


Want archways, pathways, or bridges? Chandeliers, parquet floors, or stained-glass panels? Ladies’ rooms, men’s rooms, or air-conditioning? How about two or three or even more tents, all connected by covered marquees and color-coordinated, perhaps to match your wedding? These days, you do not have to settle just for a tent; you can build your own community with them.


Couples do not realize the possibilities tenting offers to create a truly individualized atmosphere. There seems to be more and more beautiful natural sites in all parts of the country, including the lawns and gardens of people’s homes. People want and should take advantage of them.


And they do-in every season. Today’s specialists come with their own generators for heating, cooling, cooking, and dancing to DJs or live music. Tent suppliers seem to be able to do just about everything with a tent that you would find in a church or reception hall. When researching tent suppliers for our wedding, we were asked about dance floors, seating, lighted walkways and lighted decorations. They all seem to have everything. We got a basic 20x40 tent in blue to match our wedding colors for under $200, that included set up and cooling for the tent.


The cost of a tented affair will run about the same as a similar function in an established location, sometimes maybe even a little more, because of all the necessary items are rented, and priced separately. If you’re considering a tent wedding, here are some things you might need:


· At least one tent, 40’ X 100’ or 60’ X 60’ for about 200 people


· Any additional tents for the ceremony, cocktails, cooking, restrooms, or dancing


· Covered walkways or connecting marquees


· Generators for heating, cooling, lighting, cooking, or musical equipment


· Additional equipment for cooking or sound hook-ups; also, back-up generators or portable toilets


· A dance floor, hardwood flooring, or ground cover


· Chairs and tables


· Table linens and chair covers


· China, flatware, and glassware


· A complete staff, including any supervisory personnel required by safety codes


· Any permits required by local ordinance


Creating your own site can get very involved. Everything has to be obtained from a supplier, and somebody needs to be in charge of putting it all together.