All About Tents...

I've been hearing that you guys like to know what I'm up to with my own wedding (and forgive me if I'm wrong) so I'll take you on a short little trip with me right now into the world of tents.

When I decided I was having my reception outdoors in the middle of August, I didn't even think about the need for a tent! Except for the fact (as I was reminded) that in Oregon, you can't even count on a month without rain--even in the dead of Summer! So I knew I had to at least get a tent put on hold for the big day.

I knew the first step was just to research my local vendors who rented tents, and surprisingly I found quite a few, even around the small town where the reception will be held. I wrote each of them (after ensuring they had tents for rent) an email telling them what I needed: a tent big enough to hold 200 people seated at tables if necessary and a dance floor. A lesson I learned is that's pretty much all you have to tell them for them to be able to give you an estimate of the size tent you need. PS: do decide if you want a frame tent or a pole/peak tent, or ask the different vendors which type(s) they offer and which is more expensive. You can find out which is which pretty simply.

However, they didn't all come up with the same opinion. One vendor said I needed 20,000 sq feet and another 32,000--that's a big difference! So I consulted the book (by the book I mean one of my many wedding resources--this time it's "the knot wedding book of lists") and found some information along with a table on how much square footage you really need.

Here's what it says:

First decide if you have enough space for a tent. To calculate the space needed, multiply the number of people coming to the wedding by 13 for the minimum size in square feet, or 15 for the optimum.

Their cheat sheet:

• 50 Guests: 650-750 sq ft
• 100 Guests: 1300-1500 sq ft
• 150 Guests: 1950-2250 sq ft
• 200 Guests: 2600-3000 sq ft
  
• 250 Guests: 3250-3750 sq ft
• 300 Guests: 3900-4500 sq ft

So of course it told me that 2000 sq ft was not enough! And not to mention, if you're planning on putting more underneath your tent like extra tables for cake or gifts, or a dance floor, or a stage for a dj, or any of that stuff, you better be adding some square feet!

Secondly, once you've picked a tent, see who will give you the best base price, but then also see what their additional costs are for delivery and setup. Often they won't tell you right away what they charge. You can usually give them your address and they can tell you all of the fees.

Finally, and especially if you're just getting a tent for "just in case", see what their policy is for just that instance. Often times you pay a deposit for the tent and you just don't get that money back if you cancel the tent at last minute--but you don't pay the full price. However, take notice, because some companies have deposits of 50% and some only 25%, so make sure to check. Also, I had one company say that if I booked other rentals from them, then I could cancel the tent within a week of the wedding and not be charged anything--no deposit, no nothing. So you just need to ask all the right questions!

I'm not reserving my tent just yet, I mean hell my wedding isn't for a year, but at least I know who I'm renting from and I know that I'm making the right (and cheaper) choice! If you have any questions about tents, feel free to email me at triedandtrueweddings@gmail.com.