Whether you are planning a wedding to remember, throwing a school or family reunion, hosting a fundraiser, organising a corporate or any kind of event, the right tent can add charm and glamour to your event. Tents have many uses when it comes to any kind of event and therefore you need to choose the right tent for your specific needs. Here are a few pointers to consider when making your choice:
LOCATION
The location you plan to use for your next momentous event will be a determining factor in the size and type of the tent you will need. The following should be considered:
- Weather – What type of weather conditions could you expect on the day of the event? Also, consider the type of tent or size used if you’re near water to ensure it’s safe from weather coming off the water.
- Surface – It is important to consider the surface the tent will stand on in order to help you to determine the overall size and type of tent, i.e. grass, sand, asphalt, concrete, etc.
- Infrastructure – What are the power needs for cooking, entertainment, cooling or heating, and lighting? Will you need a water point?
THE RIGHT SIZE
- Outdoor space available – It is important to ensure that the tent you choose will fit into the available space. Remember to leave at least three meters around the perimeter of the tent. You should also consider any neighbouring buildings, cooking facilities and necessary access when measuring for the correct size. How much space will be available on-site for setting up the tent?
- The number of guests invited – Another factor in figuring out the size of the tent is the number of guests attending the event. The more guests you have, the larger the tent needs to be, or it may be necessary to have more than one tent for the event. Will the guests be seated around tables or not, and will there be a dance floor, stage, bar, etc.? It’s best to collaborate with an expert to ensure you get the right set-up and size for the number of guests attending your event. Tents that are too small leave guests feeling cramped or even left outside of the tent.
TYPE OF TENT
The right type of tent is as important as the right size.
- Peg & pole marquee tents are a great choice for events such as church service, functions and weddings. The peg & pole marquees are expandable with two end caps and midsections are added as extensions to fulfil your requirements.
- Framed marquees tents are elegant, versatile and an open space unobstructed by interior centre poles, providing more room for seating, dancing and entertainment. This modular tent is available in six different widths and is extendable.
- Mini marquees tents are lightweight and compact for easy transport, storage and handling. Very popular for new churches, funerals and parties.
- Stretch tents are a great choice for outdoor functions and weddings. All tents are made from 2-ply heavy-duty material, which is most suitable for our South African outdoor weather conditions. Tents can be set up as permanent or semi-permanent structures.
TIME IT TAKES TO ASSEMBLE
It is important to know how long it will take, and also how many people will be needed to set it up and take down the tent. Different types of tents have different timeframes and difficulty to set up and take down and this has an effect on costs and planning for time.
THE LAYOUT AND DÉCOR
- The layout – With the right tent, you can turn any location into a premium event space. Tents are versatile and unlike an already-built venue, a tent space can be altered to fit your needs. If your event requires a catering space that can’t be seen by the guests, you can section off an area so it becomes private. This also means if you’d like buffet-style dining, you can have it. With many layout plans available, you can give your creativity wings.
- The décor – Tents allow for tailored décor, unlike some event venues where the décor is set in stone. Whatever colour or theme your event is based on, it can be incorporated into the décor in a simple or extremely detailed way. Having control of the décor is a huge benefit for an event, as the décor is one of the first things your guests will notice.