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Sites and Settings

The Ins and Outs of a Tent Wedding

Making your open-air wedding an event to remember

If you'd like to paint your personal touch all over your nuptials, a tented wedding might be right up your alley. You'll get to choose everything, from the site to the silverware, the chairs to the caterer. But all this freedom comes with a price-you'll need to do a lot more legwork to pull this party together. Use these tips to plan the perfect fresh-air celebration.

Know the costs

Because you have to rent everything and have it installed at your site, tent weddings are often more expensive than indoor receptions. Though prices vary, a basic setup package, including tent, tableware, tables and chairs, can add more than £20 a person to your costs. "Tent weddings are very personal events, You'll get tremendous control of and input into your wedding, but you may find yourself paying more that you anticipated."

Shop around

As with any other vendor, interview a few tent-rental agents in your area and check references. "You should be very comfortable with the decision you make"You should have a real rapport with your vendor, because he or she is a tremendous part of the wedding planning." You can find tent rental companies in your Yellow Pages under "party tents and equipment

Book early

Tent rental agents recommend booking eight to 10 months before your wedding, after you've booked the caterer.

Plan on-site

The rental agent will need to figure out if your event-or your site-has any special needs, such as platforms to level uneven ground, additional cooking facilities or portable restrooms, so be sure he gets a good look at the layout first hand.

Factor in set-up

Check with your floral designer, caterer and other vendors to see how much time they'll need to set up before the celebration. In most cases, three to four days will be plenty of time for everyone to finish the job, but if you have elaborate lighting or flowers planned, you may need to pitch the tent earlier. Make sure you also arrange a dismantling date.

Consider climate

You'll want air-conditioners to keep your guests cool in the steamy summer months and heaters to warm them if the fall or spring air turns brisk. Also, consider installing flooring throughout the tent to bypass any rain-softened soil and to create the perfect footing for dancing.

Be creative

When bare, tents beg for a little mood enhancement. You can add soft light to your tent with paper lanterns, candles and strings of lights. Or set up a disco ball and spotlights for your dance floor. (Just be sure you have an adequate power source.) Tents can take on whatever style you choose to imbue them with, so select your flowers, linens-mariachi bands, greenery, what-ever!-with care, and flair. Voil! The setting you've always dreamed of.