Your guide to the MVP of outdoor weddings, le tent.
As much as we love a ballroom wedding, there’s something magical about getting married outdoors — especially in coastal Maryland, where the Chesapeake Bay glistens year-round. But Mother Nature is a fickle friend and outdoor receptions need insurance against the elements. Which makes tents the MVP of the whole-dang-thing. They’re stylish, infinitely customizable, and your canvas/vinyl ticket to weather-proofed bliss, come snow, hail, and your uninvited ex. (Just kidding, tents can’t protect you from that kind of storm. You’re on your own, friend!)
Kari Rider Events upgraded this sailcloth tent from Eastern Shore Tents & Events by wrapping the center poles in greenery. Photo by Kimberly Florence.
Process
Now, before you hightail it to the tent people, let’s talk logistics. While functional and fabulous, tents involve a lot of moving parts. “You have to account for every item that will be under the tent,” explains Michele Beaudry, an event specialist with Eastern Shore Tents & Events. While indoor venues often include basic rentals, like tables, chairs, and linens, with a tented event, you start at zero. Besides the basics, you may have to bring in lighting, a dance floor, restroom trailers, and heaters. Intimidated? Don’t be. Some tent vendors are full-service and will help you tackle all your rental needs, from fruitwood chairs to barrel bars and gold flatware. Plus, there’s a huge upside to starting with a blank canvas. “You can create any wedding vision you have with little to no restrictions,” Beaudry says. Want a black-and-white tiled dance floor? Done. Purple sidewalls? Go crazy. And don’t worry about your budget (or brain!) exploding: tent rental companies offer a streamlined process to navigate all the decision-making. “First, we meet onsite or in our showroom to look at pictures and establish a client’s vision,” says Heather Comegys of Ebb Tide Tent & Party Rentals. “Then, we’ll customize a basic quote, so clients aren’t overwhelmed by the variety of options available.”
Tent Types
When it comes to the tent itself, there are three major types: pole, frame and sailcloth. Pole and sailcloth tents are both tension-style, which means they require staking on soft surfaces, like gravel or grass. Frame tents, on the other hand, are free-standing, and can be set up on almost any surface, including asphalt, a tennis court, or deck. Some people prefer frame tents for their open aesthetic: unlike pole and sailcloth tents, they lack center poles and can be customized with clear-top canopies for a view of the stars and venue surroundings. However, others prefer the classic peaked silhouettes of the pole and sailcloth tents. Pole tents are usually the least expensive rental, made from white vinyl with aluminum center poles. Sailcloth tents are the luxury upgrade, with rustic, wooden poles and translucent, canvas material, which emits a soft glow at night and easily complements a natural setting.
Style
A tent from Ebb Tide Tent and Party Rentals is made all the more gorgeous with a flower bar sign by Keleidoscope Florals. Photo by Dyanna LaMora.
Some of our favorite ways to dress up tents are by hanging chandeliers, draping, and floral garlands from the ceilings. Another popular idea is to create a “living room” space with comfy chairs, vintage rugs, and coffee tables, where guests can lounge when they’re not shimmying all over the dance floor. Twinkly cafe lights will always look romantic, and we say “more is more” when it comes to greenery; bring the outside in. For a whimsical twist, consider stringing ribbons — or swings! — from the rooftop.
Timeline
Beaudry and Comegys recommend that clients book their tents up to a year in advance. Couples who are looking to get married in the Chesapeake Bay’s busiest months, including May, June, September, and October, should consider reaching out even earlier, as much as 18 months ahead. This timeline will give couples the greatest flexibility when it comes to inventory, as some rental items do sell out.
