TO TENT OR NOT TO TENT…DON’t BE CAUGHT BY SURPRISE!

            You’re planning a beautiful outdoor wedding in the perfect backyard or park-like location.  Yet, have you imagined the numerous benefits of adding tents to your special venue?
            An outdoor wedding can be a tricky thing. Mother Nature has a habit of dancing out her finest displays just when you want them least. In light of this fact, consider tenting that lovely space you’ve chosen.
             A tent can serve several purposes for your reception, rehearsal party or shower. The primary one is to provide insurance against the rain showers and downpours that spring up as easily as chickweed in our area. They also furnish shade. These precautions ensure that you, in your beautiful gown, your groom in his immaculate tux and all your wedding guests in their finery, don’t end up looking and feeling as wilted as old lettuce before the dancing even begins.        
            Another reason is that a tent lends definition to the space. This can be especially useful in a vast location such as a park, a plantation or an estate. Guests will know where to gather and tents can be combined to create exactly the configuration you seek. In addition, a beautiful white marquee-top tent can lend a degree of sophistication and elegance to complement your location.
            Choosing a tent company is fairly simple. Ask the following questions: (1) Do you include set-up and break-down in the price; (2) are you fully insured; (3) what is the charge for windows and/or sidewalls; and (4) how much experience does the tent company have with your location. For a cocktail-style function, allow approximately 6 square feet of tent space per person – additional if you need a dance floor.  You can expect to pay about 60 cents per square foot for the tent. This will generally add as little as $3.00 per guest to the cost of your event – a small price for staying high and dry on this important day!