How to have a wedding in a tent

WinterWeddings

A great time to plan an Outdoor Wedding

AAA Tent Masters offers the expertise, equipment for a flawless day

by Sandra Landen Machaj

CORRESPONDENT

Since 1988, AAA Tent Masters and Party Rentals in Kenosha has been the place to go for the finest quality tents and all the accessories needed to assure successful outdoor events large or small.

Located at 15828 93rd St., Kenosha, AAA Tent Masters, with their large open grounds and indoor display of accessories, is the logical place to visit when planning an outdoor event.

For Robert Eaton who took over as owner of AAA Tent Masters and Party Rentals in 1999, 2020 was a challenge as gatherings in tents changed.

“In spite of the challenges brought about in the use of tents due to the pandemic, there were other uses for our tents that were put into place allowing us to work our way

top: On warm days the walls of this tent may remain open allowing a cool breeze to filter through and a beautiful view of the landscape. AAA Tent Masters and Party Rentals offers a variety of options depending on the weather and the size of the event. above: This tent is dressed for the perfect wedding with decorative lanterns on the table and string lights to provide the just the right lighting when dusk falls.

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With various restrictions in effect, large events such as community festivals, which use a large number of tents in the summer, were cancelled. In their place restaurants began to look for tents to use for outdoor seating, especially as indoor seating was limited or in some areas closed completely.

With the weather turning cooler the use of tents to serve meals allowed their outdoor seating to continue into the fall and in some cases through the milder winter.

Many events are held in tents – from family reunions, graduations, christening parties, birthday parties, and anniversaries, to that most important event – a wedding.

Whichever of these events is on your agenda, AAA Tent Masters and Party Rentals will walk you through the process of choosing the correct tent and accessories needed to make for a perfect day. Decision process

For those who have not held an event in a tent, there are many decisions that must be made. New customers are often at a loss as to where to begin and what size tent is needed.

“Many people who have not worked with tents tend not to be able to visualize exactly what the tent will look like when it is ready for the event,” said Jenni Spencer, office manager for AAA Tent Masters and Party Rentals, who has had over 10 years’ experience planning tent events, including her own wedding. “They may not even be able to visualize the size of tent needed for the size of their event. They are also not aware of how much space is needed to set up the tent.”

Most of the tents are used in backyards for family events so it is necessary to be certain that there is a large enough flat surface for the tent. There must be ample room to stake the tents to make them safe.

“We also provide a site inspection to be certain that the space is appropriate for the size tent ordered,” added Spencer. Planning the day

Spencer suggests that people bring as much information about their event as possible – starting with budget, number of guests, type of food, buffet or plated dinner, and music. Will there be a need for a dance floor or a gift table?

“We suggest that you start with one of our wedding packages,” said Spencer. “Once you pick a package you can upgrade or add additional items to the packages to make your wedding special for you. There are wedding packages that are appropriate for weddings of any size.”

The tents vary in size and setup capacity from the 30-by-50-foot frame tent, which can be set up to serve 72 guests, to the 80-by-120 pole tent, which will accommodate 600 guests.

The basic wedding package includes the appropriately sized tent, tables for guests to sit and eat, a head table, buffet table, gift table and one for the DJ. A portable bar, a separate cake table and a dance floor are also included.

The chairs are also included in the bridal package, but couples

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may opts for an upgrade if a more formal appearance is desired.

Linens and tableware can be reserved to coordinate with the color scheme of the wedding. What about lighting?

“Lighting in tents can be done in various ways. Most popular now is the bistro style lights,” said Spencer. “These string lights can be arranged in a variety of ways to give a special look to the tent.”

Covering the support poles with cloth intertwined with small ice lights also adds to the ambience of the space.

Up lights, that is lights which stream upward against the walls to provide a soft look, may be the very subtle look you are looking to attain.

Tents can also be lighted using traditional brass or crystal chandeliers. According to Spencer, the chandeliers are not as popular these days as the lighter bistro style lights.

“We do provide a CAD-generated floor plan which gives the bridal couple a look at how the tent will be set up,” added Spencer. “Unless they have worked with a tent before, most of those coming to rent one have difficulty visualizing where everything needs to be set up and how it will look when finished.”

Anytime a tent is being used for an event, portable bathrooms need to be considered. AAA Tent Masters can provide rental of these units from simple, single units to higher end flushable toilets with running water sinks.

The comforts of home

We think of tent activities as summer events and while that is mostly true, the tents can also be used in the cooler weather of spring and fall and perhaps even winter if the temperature doesn’t drop too low.

“There are a variety of heating methods that AAA Tent Masters and Party Rentals can provide to take the chill out of the tent for a comfortable event,” Spencer said.

There are a several ways to provide a comfortable indoor temperature for your event. Large forced-air propane heaters will heat any size tent efficiently and comfortably. For other spaces, smaller propane heaters will do the job.

On the other side, during the hot days of summer, large pedestal fans can be used to circulate the air or a smaller portable air conditioning unit may be all that is needed. For a large tent a more extensive air conditioning unit can be arranged.

As with any wedding activity, AAA Tent Masters recommends reserving the tent and specialty items needed a minimum of six months in advance to be certain your choices are available.

Looking ahead

As we move into 2021 how will things change? Will we be able to return to large festivals and activities as the COVID-19

above: This colorful luncheon is set up on a deck, which has a tent placed over it to protect from sun. The colors are carried through with the orange cloth on the ceiling and a brass chandelier will add light if needed.

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vaccine reaches wide distribution? Will smaller gatherings such as birthday parties and outdoor tent restaurant seating continue?

According to Eaton, only time will tell how the next year or so will look.

“We are only 4-½ months from the time when the large festivals would normally begin so we will know shortly what will happen with them this year. I expect a slow cautious return to the normal of days past. Perhaps it will take until 2022 for a more complete return. Time will tell,” said Eaton. “Until then we will continue to support all of our clients and value all their events whatever the size.”

Contact AAA Tent Masters and Party Rental at 15828 93rd St., Kenosha, or by phone at 262-857-8368. Visit them online at www.aaatentmasters.com or on Facebook. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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