How Much Does a Wedding Tent Cost? To Rent or Buy?

Ever get tired of traditional venue weddings? Tent weddings are another popular alternative that allows you to be close to nature and have an elegant and unique experience. For couples searching for wedding tent rental cost, you may be considering whether it's worth it. 

On average, basic wedding tents cost between $0.75 and $1.20 per square foot, depending on the style and design of the tent. While this may not sound too expensive, many complain that wedding tent prices are too high. This is often because their weddings have been customised with extra amenities or elaborate decorations, or because the tent wedding is too large.

To help you avoid these heartbreaking situations, we'll provide a breakdown of the cost of a wedding tent, so you can identify what is and isn't necessary. This way, you can have a satisfying and memorable extravaganza on a budget. We'll also discuss whether it's better to rent or buy a wedding tent based on your intended use.

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Factors Affecting the Cost of a Wedding Tent

The prices of wedding tents vary, and the main influencing factors include tent size, style, accessories, etc.

Wedding Tent Size

To determine the right tent size for your wedding, first estimate how many guests you'll have. Decide on the atmosphere you want for your wedding, whether it is intimate or grand, and confirm the number of guests based on this. 

Then, consider the wedding tent layout, as this will directly impact the amount of space required for each guest. Typically, you should allocate about 8 square feet per guest for a standing event like a cocktail party, or 10-12 square feet per guest for a seated event like a formal wedding banquet.

Once you've identified these issues, you can select the appropriate tent size:: 

• 20x20 Tent: Best for intimate, small party tents up to 50 guests.
  
• 20x40 Tent: Ideal for medium-sized weddings with around 60-70 guests.
  
• 20x60 Tent: Ideal for a round table dinner party tent for 100 guests.
• 40x80 Tent: Perfect for larger celebrations, comfortably fitting 200+ attendees.
  

Remember to factor in additional space for dining, dancing, and décor, as these activities will require extra room.

Wedding Tent Styles

The type of wedding tent you choose can greatly influence both the overall cost and the ambiance of your celebration. 

It is always advisable to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve for your wedding. After all, it's difficult to create a sophisticated, high-end atmosphere with an affordable tent

• Frame Tent

Frame tents offer a modern, open layout without center poles to provide open lines of sight. In this way, you can freely arrange the internal layout, including a dining area, a stage, a reception area, etc.

In addition, to enhance privacy and comfort, the frame tent can also be equipped with sidewalls to create a quiet and intimate atmosphere for your wedding. 
Since the frame tent can be secured to various surfaces, from grass to asphalt, you can set up your celebration anywhere. 

If you're planning a small backyard or garden wedding on a budget, look no further than a frame tent. Such backyard weddings can also save much money for the venue.

• Pole Tent
  

Compared to the frame tent, a pole tent is a more budget-friendly option that can create a warm, rustic, and countryside wedding atmosphere. Its interior is supported by one or more centre poles. These spires add a touch of classic elegance to the event's overall aesthetic.

However, tent poles can look bare without any decoration. Consider decorating these poles with tent draping or rattan. Also, you need to rationalize the tables and chairs next to the poles since the center pole may block the view.

The pole tent is simple and easy to build. They usually require ground stakes to hold them in place and are suitable for setting up on soft grass.

• Clear Top Tent

Clear top tents add elegance and maximize natural light, creating an open atmosphere with scenic views. Ideal for outdoor-themed weddings, they blend the feel of indoor comfort with the beauty of the outdoors.

However, transparent tops can get hot in direct sunlight because they collect and retain heat, so be careful to choose a cool and shaded location for your wedding, or equip the air conditioned tent to control the temperature.

• High Peak Tent

High peak tent combines the functionality of a frame tent with the traditional visual appeal of a pole tent. The difference is that it has no center pole inside. However, it costs more than other styles, because the steep roof creates an ambience suitable for a high-end wedding. 

Compared to a pole tent, the high peak tent has a higher ceiling and better ventilation. Its tall, sleek design is eye-catching on your big day. The ample ceiling space also improves air circulation, making the interior feel open and inviting.

• Atrium Tent

The atrium tent features a clear covering and black metal frame, with elegant rectangular ornaments at the top for a sophisticated and luxurious ambiance. Atrium tented weddings are usually highly customizable with lighting, climate control, flooring, and more. These make it ideal for weddings, formal dinners, and other events.

Wedding Tent Setup & Accessibility

Don't forget the cost of tent setup and transportation. They usually cost extra and will not be counted towards the wedding tent rentals prices. Please double-check this when asking for a quote with your vendor to avoid hidden costs.

Sometimes, to find beautiful scenery for a tented wedding venue, you may want to think about some remote plots of land. However, these areas are usually difficult to access or require long-distance transportation. This can lead to extra labor that you may be required to pay for. 

If your wedding is held on a hard surface like asphalt or concrete, you may need to spend more on the tent setup. This is because it usually involves additional anchoring, such as expansion screws or ballast systems like load plates.

Additional Wedding Tent Cost May Be Required

Additional features can enhance your wedding tent's functionality and aesthetics while often incurring extra costs. Depending on your specific needs and budget, you can manage your wedding tent cost by omitting unnecessary accessories. These additions include:

• Sidewalls: Available in clear, opaque, or windowed options, sidewalls offer protection from the weather, enhance privacy, and contribute to aesthetic appeal. However, if you prefer an open and airy atmosphere and the weather is milder, then choosing an open tent will be better.
  
• Anchoring Systems: These secure the tent, especially in windy or challenging conditions, providing a stable and safe setup.
• Climate Control Systems: Options such as air conditioning or heating maintain a comfortable environment for guests during extreme weather. However, if the wedding is expected to take place in spring or autumn, you will not require a climate control system in the tent. Comfortable breezes blow naturally.
• Flooring: Adds a stable, clean surface for dining, dancing, and guest comfort, protecting against ground moisture. However, flooring is not a necessity. Usually, on sunny days, the floor stays dry. Therefore, all you need to do is clean the surface, build the lawn, and have your guests wear good shoes ahead of time.
• Decorative Enhancements: Common wedding tent decorations such as draping, lights, flowers, and tablecloths do create an elegant warmth that adds to the ambience. However, tent draping can be expensive, particularly if you plan to cover the entire tent. If you do like the effect of draping, you can simply hang decorations from the tent poles.

Wedding tent lightings, flowers, and tablecloths are simple wedding decorations. They are obvious and can be decorated to match the desired atmosphere for your wedding.

In addition to the above wedding tent cost, there are some wedding rental necessities such as tables and chairs. These are usually offered with the tent rental package by the rental company.

Average Price of Buying a Wedding Tent

If you want to hold a grand and luxurious tent wedding reception, you should at least have a 20x40 tent. 

Many wedding tent options are available in this size, including a frame tent with no center pole, a beautiful clear-top tent, an affordable and classic pole tent, and a chic high peak tent.
Here is a simple price table of 20x40 square foot sized tents for your reference at Sheltent:

As you know, the wedding tent price increases as the size increases. A 20x40 tent has 800 square feet of space to typically accommodate 80-100 people. This clear wedding tent in this size is priced at $6,590. The basic pole tent costs $3,610, while the frame tent is priced at $4,483.

If you want to invite over two hundred guests to your wedding reception, you need to pay more for a 40x80 tent. Since different styles will also affect the price, a 40x80 square foot pole tent costs $10,805, and a frame tent of the same size costs $15,284.

A 40x100 square foot tent can accommodate more than three hundred people, and it has an average price range of anywhere from $17,000 to $23,000. If you need a tent of this size, we highly recommend pole tents, which only cost $13,225.

Wedding Tent Prices Breakdown

Although you already know the average price of a wedding tent, the wedding cost can vary greatly due to factors such as climate control, flooring, overhangs, and lighting. You may still be confused: how much does a wedding tent cost? To solve this issue, below is a breakdown of typical expenses to help you plan your budget.

Tips for Saving Wedding Tent Cost

As we have already mentioned, you can consult some reliable vendors for specific quotes and then remove the things you don't need. Apart from that, we have some tips to help you save money on your wedding tent prices.

• Consider Buying Off-Season: Tent prices tend to be lower during non-peak wedding seasons. If possible, plan your purchase well in advance to take advantage of discounts.
  
• Look for Multi-Use Designs: Choose a tent that can be repurposed for other events, such as anniversaries, family gatherings, or business functions, extending your investment further.
• Limit the Guest Count: Inviting a small but intimate group of family and friends can have a direct impact on the size of the wedding tent, the number of tables, chairs, and utensils that need to be rented. These significantly affect your budget.
• Reduce Draping: Decorate conspicuous areas such as tent poles with draping. This simple decoration adds an elegant texture and reduces expenses.
• Simplify Lighting: Complex lighting does not always achieve the desired effect. Less is more. Consider using just one type of lighting for your setup.
• Reduce/Skip Tent Flooring: For a budget-friendly wedding, consider flooring just the dance floor instead of the entire tent
• Buy Directly from Manufacturers: Buying from manufacturers or wholesale suppliers can often offer better pricing by eliminating middlemen.

Is It Cheaper to Have a Tent Wedding?

If you search forums such as Reddit and ask how much a tent costs and whether a tent wedding is really cheaper than a venue wedding, you will probably find that most people will say "No". This is because outdoor weddings lack some of the necessary infrastructure, and some people choose to rent everything from vendors. The price may also include outdoor venue rental, etc.

In response to the wedding tent price, we have compiled a list of questions:

• Venue Included: If you rented a venue, did the price include a kitchen, generator, restrooms, linens, draping, etc.?
  
• Land Lease: Do you need to rent land for your wedding? If the price of a venue lease is too high, consider parks, botanical gardens, and other public spaces, which are relatively more affordable. Alternatively, you could ask family members or friends if they have a suitable venue, such as a backyard or farm, as these would be free of charge.
• Extra Facilities: Do you need extras like drapings, flooring, catering tents, generators, etc.? Omitting unnecessary extras can greatly reduce the cost. If you hold your wedding in your backyard, the small backyard wedding cost usually does not involve these add-ons in terms of bathrooms, kitchens, or power supplies — just use your own.
• Wedding Item Rentals: Do you need to need to rent everything from vendors? Some tables, chairs, tablecloths, and utensils might be able to be borrowed from your close friends and relatives, or some venues may provide them for free.
  

If you want to organize a tent wedding on a budget, then it's best to answer “no” to two or more of the questions mentioned above. This way, the odds are that your tent wedding will be cheaper than a venue wedding.

Otherwise, if you prioritise a sophisticated atmosphere, the cost of a tent rental wedding will be comparable to or even more expensive than a venue wedding.

Despite this, many couples still choose to have grand celebrations in tents. Some do it because they love nature, while others want a unique wedding setting that is all just for them.

Rent vs Buy? How to Choose?

When evaluating the overall budget of a tent wedding, renting can be a flexible and cost-effective solution. It allows couples to access high-quality tents tailored to their event size without the commitment of ownership.

Rentals generally come with setup and takedown services, which can be a big advantage for couples who prefer a streamlined approach to event logistics. However, it's important to note that these services often involve extra fees, adding to the overall cost.

On average, wedding tent rentals cost can range widely from $5000 to $5,000 or more, depending on wedding tent size, style, and additional features such as flooring or décor packages. For couples on a tighter budget, renting a tent can be more cost-effective than buying one and still offer flexibility to rent a variety of tent styles.

Conversely, buying a tent involves a higher cost upfront but offers long-term benefits, such as customization, reusability, and ownership flexibility.

Specifically, wedding tents enable you to completely bring your wedding vision to life. You can customise every aspect of your wedding tent, from the design and colours to the materials and accessories. This flexibility gives you the freedom to create your own unique space that many people only dream of. 

You manage the wedding schedule, venue setup, and more. You don't have to worry about when the wedding party will end and when the venue will be cleared. Just enjoy yourself until sunrise without any interruptions.

Just because the wedding is over doesn't mean the tent is useless. Buying a quality wedding tent enables you to organise parties, birthday celebrations, and dinners at a later date. In the long run, buying a wedding tent saves you money on repeated rentals.

Have a Romantic Tent Wedding with Sheltent

Transform your wedding dreams into a reality with Sheltent, a provider of premium wedding tents and complete event solutions. Our direct manufacturing eliminates middlemen, allowing us to offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality.

At Sheltent, you can access customizable tent options designed to suit any wedding theme, size, or budget. From intricate décor elements to full-service packages, we ensure your wedding day is memorable, elegant, and stress-free.

Explore our range of offerings and make your dream tent wedding come to life with our expertise and commitment to perfection.

Conclusion

Your wedding is one of the most cherished days of your life, and the right tent can elevate the celebration to unmatched levels of romance and style. By considering factors such as wedding tent cost, size, and style and weighing options between renting or buying, you can find a perfect solution that fits your vision and budget.

Sheltent stands ready to support you every step of the way with competitive pricing, customizable solutions, and unparalleled service. Start planning your unforgettable tent wedding with us today!