Once you’re engaged, you want to have enough time to plan your wedding just the way you want it. After all, this is a rite of passage as well as a very special day for you as well as your families and friends.
The average length of engagements, according to the Knot’s 2014 Real Weddings Study, is 14 months, so if your engagement falls into that time frame, you are among those couples that want a bit more than a year to plan this momentous occasion.
June continues to be one of the most popular months for weddings, followed by October. The Knot’s 2014 Real Weddings Study found that 15% of weddings were held in June and 14% in October. This same study found that weddings tend to have an average of 136 wedding guests.
Now that you’ve explored all your options and have decided to have an outdoor wedding–complete with wedding tents–there are a few logistics to consider.
First of all, you may be deciding whether you want to buy or rent your wedding tents. If you and your life-partner-to-be both enjoy entertaining on a regular basis, you’ll probably want to purchase your own. However, if you only think you’ll just use them occasionally, such as three-to-four time per year, you may want to consider renting them instead.
Secondly, you’ll want to make a decision on what type of tent you may want–a frame or a pole tent. There are basically two types of tent tops available for large events: vinyl and polyester. Most spacious event tests are constructed out of vinyl because it’s not only strong and durable, but affordable as well.
The size, or the square footage, of the wedding tents you choose will depend on the number of guests you plan–or anticipate–to be at the wedding. Remember to allow space for maneuvering, especially if some of the chairs are on the bulky side.
If you are planning to have chairs, especially if they’re going to be set up in rows, be sure to allow five-to-six square feet for every chair.
Here are a few simple formulas to determine what size of wedding tents you will need.
- For table seating, use the number of guests times 15 square feet.
- For cocktail and standing areas, use the number of guests times six square feet.
- For the actual ceremony and regular seating, use the number of guests times eight square feet.
- For the dance area, you’ll need an additional two-to-three square feet.
- For the head table that seats the happy couple, you’ll need 25 square feet.
Once those R.S.V.P.’s begin to arrive, you will have a much better idea of how many square feet you’ll need–and don’t forget the plus-ones!
Are you planning to serve a meal or did you decide to go with assorted appetizers? When you’re serving Hors d’Oeuvres, you may not require as much space because your guests will likely choose to mingle with their Champagne or sparkling mineral water.
If you’re having a more formal sit-down affair, then you’ll need to respond these questions;
- What are the tables’ dimensions?
- How many people will be seated at each table?
In general, when you choose round tables, you’ll want to have a minimum of 12 square feet for each person. If you choose rectangular tables, then you’ll want to have a minimum of ten square feet for each person.
You’ll also want to consider aisles to ease the flow of guests as well as create a special space for all of the wedding toasts and speeches! This will require approximately eight square feet for each person.
After you’ve made the decision on the space required for your wedding tents, you’ll want to turn your thoughts to other necessary items. Here is a short list to ensure that you have everything you need for your grand entrance to marriage:
- Wedding carpet rentals
- Wedding chairs
- Wedding tables
- Wedding flooring rentals
- Wedding lighting rentals
- Wedding linen rentals
