WHAT TO KNOW WHEN PLANNING FOR A TENTED AFFAIR
With the unpredictability of 2020 more and more people are opting for those stunning tented affairs but do you know what to anticipate when making the leap from venue to constructing your own?
Often times people can jump the gun opting for a tenting wedding without the understanding of what that means, here are some of the things to consider when pulling the trigger on that tent.
You are creating your own venue …. yes that means you save on those pesky venue rental costs but did you know that tents can range from $500-$10,000 depending on size, style, and design. And that is simply the tent structure. You also need to consider parking, rain plans, bathrooms, water accessibility, electricity and generators, as well as added tents for a kitchen setup.
You won’t have a venue coordinator on hand for the emergencies…. This is your space and your structure so if it rains you need to consider who will be pulling down those sides. If the generator goes out you need a back up or someone on hand to troubleshoot. If there is significant rain in weeks prior you better have an alternative space on location. Moreover, if that wedding is on a Saturday you may deliveries and setups starting 3+ days prior to begin construction so you need to be on hand to ensure that quality.
If you love a tent but hate the idea of heels on the grass you need to talk flooring… Flooring is a game changing choice. It completely changes the look and design of your day and it changes the budget dramatically as well. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE a soft wash wood floor but if you don't have the budget for it you are looking at lenolim or astro turf. And if the floor isn’t flat you are talking about a subfloor or strata flooring to level the space. You just doubled that flooring cost! Your floor and strata will cost 2x or more than the tent in many cases.
Bathrooms… oh who doesn’t love a portal potty? Never fear there are some incredible options for bathroom trailers so you don’t have to trek in a porta-potty but you may pay $1000-5000 to get it there.
There are as many types of tents as there are types of flowers it seems… What is the difference? What is the best? What is appropriate? What is Sperry? What is frame tent vs pole? What does a clear top fee like? I could go on and on about this. Clear tops are stunning but under direct sun in the middle of summer they tend to feel like an ant eating under a microscope. Sperry tents are the most stunning and breathable but they carry a high price tag. Artificial Sperry tents or just “canvas tents” look similar but the poles aren’t as beautiful, the canvas sometimes dingy, and not as breathable. So what questions do we need to answer and what questions do we need to ask? Lean on your planner! Do your research and decide what makes the most sense for you. Picking the right tent should require as much research as picking any other venue. Does the company have someone to stay onsite for emergencies? How do they anchor? Do they offer flooring? Do they offer the lighting? Many many questions to consider.
In the end tented weddings are the future. Those nervous about what is to come for 2021 and beyond, those worried about shared spaces, those concerned with mandates, etc. they may opt for tented. My advise to you is do your research, ask a lot of questions, and lean into your vendor professionals because it is a whole new ballgame and you will want their guidance on how to best move forward.
