Tenting weddings are great because they can accommodate many people, provide a unique and memorable experience for the guests, and make it easy to enjoy your wedding day rain or shine. If you’re looking for something different from the typical ballroom/banquet hall wedding experience, tented weddings are perfect!

Planning is critical for ensuring your big day goes off without a hitch! There are so many things to think about when planning your wedding, and these are just a few of the things you need to consider when choosing whether or not to have a tented wedding. Before your wedding day, test all these things out (or hire someone to do it for you).

However, a few things to keep in mind when planning a tented wedding.

Pick a location that is spacious and has ample room for the tent, guests, and parking.

This is a big one! While an outdoor location may look pretty, you also have to consider logistics. Make sure the space you choose can accommodate everything you need, including the tent.

If you pick a location that is too small or has limited parking, this will only create headaches and stress on your big day. Not to mention, guests will be less than pleased if they have to park far away from the venue.

Make sure there are bathroom facilities nearby.

Nobody likes to leave the fun of a wedding to hike to a bathroom! Some companies specialize in them, and many are a lot nicer than you think! Consider renting porta-potties if the bathrooms are too far away from the tent.

Plan for inclement weather

This is especially important if your wedding is outdoors. Make sure you have a plan in case of rain, wind, or other bad weather. This may mean renting a tent with sides, having indoor backup locations ready to go, or having plenty of umbrellas on hand.

The most “predictable” months weather-wise are April, May, and October here in Massachusetts. However, even then, you can’t always count on perfect weather. So be prepared!

Consider renting furniture

If you are planning on having a lot of guests at your outdoor tented wedding, you may want to consider renting furniture so you can have places to lounge outside the tent if you’re going to get away from the busy dance floor. This way, everyone will have a place to sit and enjoy the festivities.

Bring in a dance floor!

You may be thinking, “I don’t need a dance floor; we can just put the DJ right in the middle of the tent.” But trust us, a dance floor is key. It not only keeps your guests from accidentally trampling over cords and equipment, but it also provides a designated area for dancing—this way, everyone knows where to go when they want to let loose on the dance floor.

Make sure there is plenty of power available.

If you’re planning to have any kind of electrical equipment, like sound systems or lighting, make sure enough power is available at your venue. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to set up on your big day and not being able to because there’s no power!

Also, don’t forget about Wi-Fi! If you’re planning on doing a playlist of a service like Spotify, you may want access to the internet. Before your wedding day, test all these things out (or hire someone to do it for you).

Be aware of noise ordinances.

If you’re planning to have a band or DJ playing late into the night, make sure you are aware of any noise ordinances in place or any permits you might need for the area. You don’t want to get fined or shut down on your wedding night!

Plan for bug control

Mosquitoes can ruin a party! If you’re having an outdoor wedding, plan for bug control. This may mean hiring a company to spray the area or having citronella candles on hand.

Don’t forget about lighting.

Lighting is key if your wedding is at night or in the evening. You can achieve this with string lights, lanterns, or even by having floodlights pointed at the tent. You don’t want your guests stumbling around in the dark, so make sure there is plenty of lighting inside and outside the tent.

I love the look of a tent at night! Adding in the ambient lighting makes for prettier photos, too.

Who will supply tables, chairs, linens, and more?

This is something you need to think about when you are planning your wedding. Will the venue supply these things, or will you need to rent them? Start early and shop around for the best deals if you’re renting.

Tables, chairs, linens, flatware, and glassware can all be rented from companies specializing in wedding rentals. This is usually a cheaper option than buying everything outright.

Hire a reputable caterer who can provide food that all guests will enjoy

Make sure you do your research when hiring a caterer. You want to make sure they are reputable and can provide food that will be enjoyed by all your guests, not just those with specific dietary restrictions.

You should also ask about their serving ware and if they have any special utensils for certain dishes. For example, will they have chafing dishes for hot foods? Will they need anything special to keep the food cold?

In addition to food, you’ll also need to think about drinks. If you’re planning on having an open bar, make sure you have enough bartenders on hand to keep the drinks flowing. You may also want to consider having a signature drink or two to give your wedding a unique flair.

Don’t forget about people with disabilities.

When planning your outdoor tented wedding, don’t forget about people with disabilities. You’ll want to make sure they can easily access all the areas of your tent, including the bathrooms. Make sure there is an easy way for them to get in and out of the area, and you may even want to consider shuttle service for them.

Who’s going to clean this mess up?!!

You also need to think about who will set up and take down all the rentals. Most rental companies will do it for an additional fee, but it’s worth it to have someone else worry about it on your big day!

You may also want to consider hiring a wedding coordinator to handle this part for you. They will be able to take care of all the details, from setting up the rentals to taking them down at the end of the night.

Tented weddings make pretty wedding photographs!

I love outdoor tented weddings because no two ever look the same. There are many ways to personalize an outdoor tented wedding with things to do inside and outside of the tent, making for great photo opportunities. Your photos will be truly unique!

If you’re looking for a photographer who loves a tented wedding, look no further! I’d love to talk to you about your wedding plans. I’m also happy to recommend vendors you might need, so get in touch and let’s chat!