ReeseNewman
06-19-2009, 05:44 PM
If you are planning on trying to find your own tent rental for your outdoor wedding, there's lots of rental companies to get pricing from (not just Taylor Rental). My sister-in-law had the most amazing outdoor wedding and used an unusual shaped tent for her 200+ guests called a saddlespan tent. We had a hard time finding the right tent though. We ran into huge price differences and lots of "extras" that you have to pay for. Worst of all, there were things we never thought we would have to ask before we found the right tent (for instance, I didn't know WE were responsible for where the gas and electric lines were located).
Anyway, I made a list of things to ask for when renting a tent. We ended up renting dishes, silverware, linens, etc. for a wholesaler for restaurants and got the tent directly from a tent rental company.
Here's a list of what you may want to ask for before you settle on a certain kind of tent:
Tent Rental Checklist:
_ How many people do you expect at your event? (How many people do you want under the tent?)
_ Will they be sitting at tables? Or will you need just chairs? Or will they be standing?
_ What else will you need in the tent?
_ Will you need a dance floor? If so, ask for recommended sizes (depends on the size of your party)
_ Who will be supplying the interior decorations? Will you rent from the tent rental company?
_ Where will you want the tent to be located?
_ What kind of ground will the tent be installed upon? Grass? Asphalt? Other?
_ How much square footage is needed for the grounds?
_ Where are all the utilities located?
* Gas lines
* Power lines
* Cable
* Telephone/communications
* Sprinkler systems
* Electrical
* Sewage
* Water
What style of tent are you interested in?
* Marquee tent
* Century tent
* Pole tent
* Canopy top
* Saddlespan (also written as saddle span tent)
* TopTent
* Yurt
* Other
Will you need…
* Window side walls, clear side walls or solid side walls on your tent
* Liners for the tent interior
* Pole wraps
* Special lighting such as cookie cutters, colored gels, chandeliers, globe string lights or perimeter twinkle lighting
* Temporary electrical
* Air conditioning
* Heating
* Band stage or band area
* Carpeting or other flooring
* Tent Interior Decorator
* Chairs, tables, linens, flatware, chair covers, china, serving trays, heating pans, etc.
Don’t forget to…
* Find out how many days before the event your tent can be installed or set up.
* When the take down day (called a strike) and what is expected of you before the strike.
* Ask about transportation costs if applicable.
* Confirm inspection date and time of the tent after installation.
* Ask about a damages or lost equipment fee structure.
* Get emergency contact information should something go amiss.
* Find out what permits you’ll need to get before having the tent setup on location.
* Ask if there’s a cancellation fee and what is it.
* Find out exactly how you can safely decorate the tent inside and out. Some do not allow hanging items from the tent material or its framing for safety reasons.
* Get a contract from the rental company and read your contract carefully.
I feel like a wedding rental equipment expert after our experience!
Anyway, I made a list of things to ask for when renting a tent. We ended up renting dishes, silverware, linens, etc. for a wholesaler for restaurants and got the tent directly from a tent rental company.
Here's a list of what you may want to ask for before you settle on a certain kind of tent:
Tent Rental Checklist:
_ How many people do you expect at your event? (How many people do you want under the tent?)
_ Will they be sitting at tables? Or will you need just chairs? Or will they be standing?
_ What else will you need in the tent?
_ Will you need a dance floor? If so, ask for recommended sizes (depends on the size of your party)
_ Who will be supplying the interior decorations? Will you rent from the tent rental company?
_ Where will you want the tent to be located?
_ What kind of ground will the tent be installed upon? Grass? Asphalt? Other?
_ How much square footage is needed for the grounds?
_ Where are all the utilities located?
* Gas lines
* Power lines
* Cable
* Telephone/communications
* Sprinkler systems
* Electrical
* Sewage
* Water
What style of tent are you interested in?
* Marquee tent
* Century tent
* Pole tent
* Canopy top
* Saddlespan (also written as saddle span tent)
* TopTent
* Yurt
* Other
Will you need…
* Window side walls, clear side walls or solid side walls on your tent
* Liners for the tent interior
* Pole wraps
* Special lighting such as cookie cutters, colored gels, chandeliers, globe string lights or perimeter twinkle lighting
* Temporary electrical
* Air conditioning
* Heating
* Band stage or band area
* Carpeting or other flooring
* Tent Interior Decorator
* Chairs, tables, linens, flatware, chair covers, china, serving trays, heating pans, etc.
Don’t forget to…
* Find out how many days before the event your tent can be installed or set up.
* When the take down day (called a strike) and what is expected of you before the strike.
* Ask about transportation costs if applicable.
* Confirm inspection date and time of the tent after installation.
* Ask about a damages or lost equipment fee structure.
* Get emergency contact information should something go amiss.
* Find out what permits you’ll need to get before having the tent setup on location.
* Ask if there’s a cancellation fee and what is it.
* Find out exactly how you can safely decorate the tent inside and out. Some do not allow hanging items from the tent material or its framing for safety reasons.
* Get a contract from the rental company and read your contract carefully.
I feel like a wedding rental equipment expert after our experience!