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When you imagine your dream wedding, a traditional indoor venue might not come to mind. Instead, you might be picturing a beautiful tent wedding reception surrounded by the beauty of the great outdoors.
Outdoor tent weddings have become quite popular recently, and for good reason! They allow couples to create an entirely personalized wedding experience, whether you’re saying “I do” in your own backyard or lakeside. Every single detail, from the flooring to the florals, is custom to your unique wedding style and vision.
Many venues even offer the best of both worlds, with indoor spaces for getting ready and stunning outdoor areas for the ceremony and reception.
Keep reading to discover why a tent wedding reception might be the perfect fit for your big day, plus my top picks for luxury tent rental vendors across the U.S.
What is a tent wedding?
In recent years, more couples have been moving away from traditional fixed indoor venues and embracing a more flexible, nature-inspired alternative: a tent wedding.
A tent wedding reception is held under a large tent or other temporary structure, and allows couples to celebrate outdoors while still having the comfort and structure of a covered space. It’s a great option if you’re drawn to natural scenery, need more room for your guests, or just want a wedding that feels more like you.
Tented weddings work well in various outdoor locations, from private estates and backyards to fields and gardens. These spaces offer a blank canvas to make the space your own and create a truly unique wedding experience.
One of the best things about a tent wedding reception is the freedom to customize every detail from start to finish. If a full tent isn’t quite your style, you can also explore other open-air structures like pergolas for a similar effect.
The advantages of having a tent wedding reception
There are so many reasons why a tent wedding reception is an appealing option for couples planning their big day.
Traditional venues have some limitations because the layout and decor are mostly fixed and permanent. Couples usually have less control over the use of the venue space and where they want to splurge on design.
Meanwhile, an outdoor tent wedding offers more individuality, customization, and flexibility. Couples have complete creative control over the design, use of the tent, and floor plan. The spaciousness of a wedding tent means room for custom dance floors, grandiose floral installations, and other special details like lighting and draping.
Tent weddings are also a smart option if your dream venue doesn’t quite fit your guest list. You can choose from various tent sizes and shapes, helping expand the space without letting go of a venue you love.
Plus, there’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of a tent wedding reception. Dining and dancing under a canopy of lights, surrounded by nature, offers a one-of-a-kind experience and absolutely stunning photo opportunities.
Modern wedding tents are sturdy and weatherproof, allowing couples to have their dream wedding rain or shine. You can even add heaters or air conditioning to keep guests comfortable no matter the season.
What to consider when planning your tent wedding
Tent weddings are stunning, but you might be wondering, “How much is a tent rental for a wedding, and where do I even start with planning?”
The short answer? It depends. The cost of a tent wedding reception depends on many factors like, your guest count, the size and style of tent you need, and your venue’s outdoor space.
On average, a tent wedding reception can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more. Because it can be a significant investment, it’s important to set a clear budget from the start.
Here are some things to consider if you’re thinking about having a tent wedding reception.
Estimate your guest count.
Your guest count is one of the biggest factors when planning a tent wedding reception. Even a rough estimate early on can help you and your tent rental vendor determine the appropriate tent size and layout for your needs.
As a general guide, The Knot recommends:
- At least a 30×50 tent for a 100-person wedding
- At least a 40×80 tent for a 200-person wedding.
The more accurate your count, the easier it’ll be to create a comfortable and thoughtfully designed space.
Assess your venue’s outdoor space.
There are a few essential questions you need to ask when touring venues for your tent wedding reception:
- Does your venue allow wedding tents?
- Can you set up early?
- Are there any restrictions around staking into the ground?
- How large is the outdoor space?
Once you’ve chosen your venue, it’s important to know the size and layout of the outdoor area. Many wedding tent rental vendors will visit the venue to help determine the maximum size and type of tent for the space.
Also, don’t forget to consider the terrain. Installing a floor on flat, solid ground usually takes half a day, but setup can take much longer if the ground is sloped and needs leveling.
Pick out the type and style of tent you want.
The type of tent you choose will influence the cost, installation time, and labor involved. There are various types of wedding tents, but here are some of the more popular ones:
- Sailcloth Pole Tent: Sailcloth tents have wooden poles and a canvas exterior, and are the most budget-friendly. They require ground staking and offer clear plastic side walls.
- Frame Tent: Frame tents feel more open without center poles and work on most surfaces using stakes or weights. They can be fully enclosed with clear or white sides and tops.
- Clear Span Structure Tent: Clear span tents are similar to frame tents but are more heavy-duty and ideal for elaborate decor setups or bad weather conditions.
- Greenhouse Tent: Greenhouse tents (aka garden or conservatory tents) are currently very popular for their black metal frames and clear sides to showcase nature views.
Couples will want to pick a tent that works best for their guest count, climate, and location. For example, if you’re in a windy or cold area, a frame tent might be a better option than a sailcloth tent.
Sailcloth tents are usually faster (and cheaper) to install, while more elaborate options like greenhouse tents require more labor and time to set up.
Don’t forget to consider how the tent will fit your overall wedding aesthetic. Beach weddings often feature sailcloth tents, while framed tents are popular for garden weddings.
Ask about what’s included.
When researching wedding tent rentals, make sure to ask vendors exactly what’s included in the rental and the cost of any additional features, such as lighting, flooring, and setup.
For example, if you’re planning an evening wedding reception, you’ll definitely need lighting. Some tented weddings may also require generators, restroom trailers, or heating and cooling systems, which can add to the rental cost.
Top recommendations for luxury wedding tent rental vendors
I know that wedding vendor research can be overwhelming, so I’ve compiled a list of my top recommendations for luxury wedding tent rental vendors across the US:
- Arden Event Collective (Portland-Vancouver Metro area)
- Sperry Tents (Nationwide authorized providers)
- Bright Event Rentals (California, Arizona, and Texas)
- Zephyr Tents (California and Nevada)
- McCoy’s Event Professionals (Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and beyond)
- Nantucket Tents (Nantucket Island, Massachusetts)
- The Greenwich Tent Company (Connecticut and New York)
- Select Event Group (Maryland and Virginia)
- Colorado Tents & Events (Central Rocky Mountain region of Colorado)
- Peak Event Services (New England, New York, and beyond)
- Platinum Event Rentals (San Diego, California)
Planning a tent wedding reception can be challenging! Hiring a wedding planner helps handle all the details and find the best vendors to bring your vision to life.
I’m a big fan of tent weddings! If you’re looking for a Portland wedding photographer, I’d love to help capture your special day. I also love to travel both nationwide and abroad, so be sure to reach out to learn more about my travel wedding packages.
Keep scrolling to enjoy more of my captures from a tent wedding at The Griffin House I recently photographed!
