Preparing for a luxury wedding can be an overwhelming experience – between finding the perfect venue, selecting vendors, and choosing the right décor, it’s easy to become bogged down in details.
One of the most critical decisions for your special day is selecting the correct size tent for your wedding ceremony and reception. Finding the right-sized tent will ensure all your guests are comfortable and the area looks beautiful. Here’s what you need to know:
Why Should You Consider A Luxury Wedding Tent?
First, ask yourself if a tent is necessary for your wedding. If your wedding is entirely indoors, you may not need a tent. However, renting a tent is essential if you’re hosting an outdoor wedding.
A tent offers your guests and yourself the perfect place to escape from unexpected weather. Nobody wants to see their expensive and chic attire destroyed by rain. Sure, umbrellas and ponchos are a great backup, but there’s something special about having a covered area for your wedding.
“A luxury tent can also make a common outdoor space extraordinary. Whether in the middle of a field or your backyard, you can create a magical setting for your special day with the right tent.”
How To Select The Correct Size Tent For Your Wedding
The size is the most important factor in selecting the right tent for your wedding. You’ll want a large enough tent to fit all your guests and décor but not so big that it looks empty. You’ll have to take a few steps to calculate the correct size.
Venue Size
Before you search for a tent, you’ll have to measure the size of your venue. You’ll need to know exactly how much space you have to pick an appropriately sized tent. For instance, a backyard wedding may have less space than one at a public park.
Not all of it will be used when calculating the venue’s size. You’ll have to factor in any trees, poles, and other obstacles that could get in the way of your tent setup.
Plus, it would be best if you accounted for the entrance and exit areas, where your guests will enter and exit the tent. Work with your venue’s event manager- there is a strong likelihood they will know the maximum tent size the venue is able to accommodate.
Number Of Guests
Your guest list should be finalized before you rent a tent. That way, you’ll have an accurate count of how many people you need to accommodate at your wedding. You should also consider how much space each of your guests will need.
“An average person needs approximately 6-10 square feet to stand in the tent comfortably, but you can adjust the number based on your situation.”
Different Types Of Tents
Once you know the venue size and your guest count, it’s time to search for a tent. You’ll likely find different types of wedding tents. First, let’s look at frame tents and pole tents.
Frame tents have metal frames that hold the tent, whereas pole tents use center poles and guy ropes to stay erect. The main difference between these tents is that frame tents are more versatile. You don’t need to stake them into the ground, so they can be placed on various surfaces.
“However, many people like the look of pole tents, as they drape like a canopy. Plus, the center poles provide decorations for your event.”
There is also the choice between square and rectangular tents. This choice is purely aesthetic, with the only difference being the shape of your tent.
Inside Layout
You’ll have to consider how the inside of your tent will be laid out. Your guests will likely sit at tables for dinner, so you should account for the space these tables will take up. The wedding party’s table will probably be bigger than the regular tables, so consider that too.
“Sketching the layout of your tent is a great way to visualize where everything will go. You can also use tape to create a mockup of the tent and ensure it fits within your venue.”
We’ll review the main things to account for in the inside layout below.
Weather Conditions
Also, consider the weather conditions when picking a tent size. If you’re expecting extreme heat in the summer, you’ll want a bigger tent with more air circulation. On the other hand, if there are strong winds in your area, you should consider staking the tent down for stability.
Do Some Math
The best way to ensure that you pick the right size tent for your wedding is to do some simple math. We recommend using square footage as the unit of measurement in your calculations. For example, if your dance floor is 15 feet by 15 feet, you can multiply the two measurements to get 225 square feet.
Repeat the steps above for all the areas inside your tent, including the dance floor, buffet tables, guest seating area, etc. Once you have a list of square footage measurements, add them to get your total amount of space needed.
Common Tent Sizes You’ll Find
Now that you have the total square footage needed for your tent, you can start looking for a model that fits your specifications. Here are some of the most common sizes:
- 20′ x 20′ (400 sq. ft.)
- 20′ x 30′ (600 sq. ft.)
- 20′ x 40′ (800 sq. ft.)
- 30′ x 30′ (900 sq. ft.)
- 30′ x 40′ (1200 sq. ft.)
- 30′ x 50′ (1500 sq. ft.)
- 40′ x 100′ (4000 sq. ft.)
- 80′ x 80′ (6400 sq. ft.)
And so on. We always recommend getting a tent at least 10% bigger than your total square footage measurement, as this will give you more flexibility in setting up the inside of your tent. You don’t want to jam all of your furniture in an overcrowded space!
What Else Do You Need To Account For?
Now that you know how to select the correct size tent for your wedding, it’s time to start shopping! A tent is great, but it will only be a luxury wedding with the right decorations and furniture.
For a luxury wedding, you’ll likely need to rent:
Walls & Flooring
“For a truly luxurious look, you’ll want to ensure your tent looks like a room from the inside. You can do this by adding walls and flooring.”
The best way to create walls is with drapery or fabric backdrops. These come in many shapes and sizes, so be sure to pick one that will fit inside your tent perfectly. Different fabrics create different looks, so you can go for a modern or classic feel.
As for flooring, you don’t want your guest standing in grass or dirt. Instead, lay down an artificial flooring material. It will make the inside of the tent look more polished and luxurious. Remember that most ladies wear high heels, so make sure the flooring is hard enough to support them!
Bar
“A small portion of your tent layout should be dedicated to the bar area. This section should be big enough to serve your guests but not too big that it becomes an eyesore.”
When it comes to the bar itself, you want something stylish yet functional. You can go for a traditional wooden or metal one or find something more modern and unique.
There should be enough space around the bar for guests to mingle and keep their drinks. Bar stools are a great addition, as this will provide seating for those who only want to stand part of the time. However, they will require extra space, so think about that when planning your tent layout.
Stage
Optionally, you should also construct a stage. The multi-purpose stage can be used for speeches, performances, and other entertainment.
Dancefloor
Dancing is a must at any wedding, so you’ll need to make room for the dance floor. We recommend having the dance floor in an open area of your tent layout, as this will make it more visible and inviting. If you decide to not floor the entire tent, you should at least get a dance floor so there is a designated space for dancing!
“While it’s unlikely every guest will get up and dance simultaneously, you should still plan for enough space to accommodate many dancers.”
Lighting
Since you’ll be outdoors, you can’t depend on the same kind of lights you’d use in a regular room. Instead, you’ll need to invest in special lighting for the tent.
“You can choose something classic like string lights or lanterns, or mix up your décor with modern LED lights and colorful spotlights.”
Whichever option you choose should be bright enough to light up the entire area. You can have dimmers or switches that allow different lighting settings, like a dim glow for dinner and brighter lights for dancing.
Tables & Chairs
“Of course, most of your tent space will be dedicated to tables and chairs.”
For a luxury wedding, you can opt for special table settings like long banquet tables or round tables with cloth tablecloths.
As for the chairs, again, you’ll want something stylish yet comfortable. Curated Events has many chairs in various colors and styles to match your theme. You’ll find all the various table sizes with Curated Events, making it easy to include them in your calculations.
Air Conditioning/Heating
Finally, make sure your tent is comfortable. Depending on the season and location, that might mean adding air conditioning or heating units. Make sure that these are running before guests arrive so that everyone is cool/warm enough for the duration of the wedding!
“Standing units are the most common, but you can opt for air ducts and ceiling units.”
Where To Find A Tent Rental?
At Curated Events, we pride ourselves on providing the best luxury tents for any wedding. Our professional team will work closely with you to ensure that your tent is perfect for your special day! We have a wide selection of sizes and styles, so there’s something for everyone.
We also have everything you need inside the tent, such as tables, chairs, lighting, and air conditioning/heating units. We strive to ensure that all of our tents are comfortable and stylish to give your wedding a luxurious feel.
Contact us today to learn more about our tent rental services!
FAQs
1. How big a tent do you need for a 100-person wedding?
- 100pp cocktail: 30′ x 40′ or larger
- 100pp seated: 40′ x 40′ for a seated dinner tent or 40×50 or larger to include a dance floor.
2. What size tent do you need for 200 people at a wedding?
Starting at 40′ x 60′ for cocktail format up to 40′ x 100′ or 50′ x 80′ or larger for a full reception with dance floor