Tents – A Portable Hall

Tents are an unusual rental item and are not carried by every company because of the initial expense and they require an experienced crew to install. This is definitely not something you set up on your own.

The major advantage offered by a tent is that it can provide you with a space when none other is available and if the weather is good, a combination indoors/outdoors feel. You can also choose the setting, providing there is sufficient space and suitable ground. So an idyllic view overlooking a pond under the willows is entirely possible.

Most tents have sidewalls to keep out inclement weather and can withstand very heavy winds. Sidewalls actually include plastic windows to allow for light in and, although waterproof, do not expect it to be cozy if a storm brews up.

Determining the Size

Sizes range from small 10′ x 10′ canopies to huge structures that can accommodate up to 200 guests. The most popular size is 30′ x 60′, which accommodates approximately 100 guests. In urban areas, that may be larger than your backyard, especially when you allow room for the anchor lines.

When calculating the size of tent you require, allow 10 square-feet per person, if you are using 8-foot rectangular tables and 13 square-feet per person with round tables. When you size the tent, allow space for a dance floor (if required), food serving area, head table and bar, which can all increase space requirements.

One important thing to remember, tents do not expand to accommodate an increased number of guests so if you don’t allow extra and keep increasing your guest list, some may be left sitting in the open.

Location

Tents should be located on level ground with a regular surface – you do not want guests tripping and falling. You should also pay attention to where it actually lies. Rain can be one of your biggest problems, not that it gets through the tent, but because it makes low-lying ground soggy. This can cause chair legs, high heels and anything sharp to sink into it. Tents can be placed on a paved surface, but tent pegs will cause damage and you can expect to be charged a service fee for the extra work required by the setup crew. Space can also be a problem, the set- up crew needs room to park their truck as close to the location as possible – you can not just throw a 2000-pound tent on your back and carry it in.

Decorating

Decorating a tent requires a special skill because of the unusual structural shape and is probably best managed by an experienced decorator. It is common to suspend lights and other decorations from the support poles. Although not especially flammable, sources of open flames should be avoided if in close proximity to the tent itself.

Here’s How the Business Side Works

Tent rental prices increase with the size of the tent, and range from $150 to $1,700, even more in some urban areas. As with other rental equipment, expect to pay a deposit when booking the tent and the balance in advance or upon delivery.

Tents are erected at least a couple of days in advance to allow time for decoration and the arrangement of furniture. Some providers include basic lighting with the option to rent more – everything from spots, floods, rope and sparkler lights to chandeliers. Installation of lighting and decorations is your responsibility as is teardown. If you are concerned about just placing the tent on bare ground, a temporary floor can be installed.