The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Tented Wedding

The beauty and nostalgia of a private estate wedding is one that you really can’t compare to any other wedding venue location. However, there are SO many things to consider when determining if a tented wedding is a perfect fit for you. We have created the ultimate guide to planning a tented wedding!

In this guide, we will cover:

• The pros and cons of a tented wedding
• Planning Timeline and Tips
• Logistics
• The Design and Decor Elements
• A Comprehensive Rental Checklist

Benefits of a Tented Wedding

01. You won’t have a venue rental fee if you are hosting it on a private family property. Most venues also require a security deposit or per-person fees.

02. Sentimental! Having your wedding on the farm that has been in your family for 100 years or your childhood home will be a special memory to cherish forever!

03. Are your pets really important to you? You can include them in your big day! Most venues won’t allow this. Don’t forget to have someone as the “handler” for the day to ensure their safety.

04. You can choose any date! This is most helpful when you decide you would like to get married during the peak of wedding season when most venues book up at least a year in advance.

05. A reason to keep your guest list smaller. A tented wedding tends to be a more intimate experience. If you are getting pushback with the guest list size from family and friends, you can remind them there simply isn’t enough room to include everyone.

Cons of a Tented Wedding

01. Make sure you know ALL the costs before making a final decision. Tented weddings can, and usually are more expensive than renting a venue.

02. Determine a budget! Rental items will add up! Keep in mind, the more guests you have, the more tables, chairs, floral centerpieces, and food you will need!

03. There may not be a solid backup plan B for intimate weather. Meaning, you may be getting married in your reception tent with all of your guests sitting at your table. You can always add a ceremony or cocktail tent to ensure that guests stay warm and dry during the entire day. Keep in mind, if it rained at any point during the week of the wedding and it didn’t have a chance to dry out well, the yard could be a horrible mess.

04. There is a reason why a lot of vendors (rental companies, catering, planners, etc.) charge more for outdoor weddings. There is A LOT of work ahead of time and more labor-intensive on the wedding day. Especially if you are having a large wedding of 150+ guests. Having a small 50-100 people is less work!

05. If the wedding is at your parent’s house, they will likely have a lot of extra work ahead of time in making sure the lawn is prepped for tents, and the house is extra clean, and if they want to do some extra landscaping, etc. ahead of time.

Find the full 10-page resource guide here!

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