5 Things to Consider When Booking Your Tent Company!

Gorgeous tent by Exeter Events & Tents in Newburyport, MA at Custom House Maritime Museum

​Your venue is booked, your date is set! Yay! Your perfect venue is everything you have ever dreamt of, but there is just one little piece of the puzzle you still need to figure out- you need a tent! 

Before you jump on The Knot, Pinterest or Facebook for your information read this first. This may save you a few steps and a LOT of headaches. 

The tent company is one of the largest parts of your wedding - both literally and logistically. Do you know that most tents will require a temporary building permit from the town or city the wedding is taking place in before the tent can be installed? Do you know that some towns and cities require not only the building inspector but the fire chief to come and inspect the tent once it is up before the event can happen? Don't worry, it is not any additional work on you but working with a qualified, experienced tent company will ensure that is does not BECOME additional work for you. Here are a few things you can do to save yourself from booking a company that will cause you more work in the long run! 

1. Does your vendor have a preferred or required tent company on their list?

If so, they are there for a reason. DO NOT, and I repeat do NOT, try and force another tent company on your venue. The reason why is simple- when a venue recommends a vendor it is based on prior experience at the site. These companies have knocked it out of the park for the venue and the clients were happy. They know what is required to work there and can navigate the town/ city requirements.

2. If there is not a preferred vendor list , has the company worked at your site or a site like yours before? 

In the wedding world not all venues are created equally. Different venues have their own set of logistics to work with. Make sure your tent & rental company is up to the task. 

3. Check those reviews!! 

All 5 stars? Great!!! If not, read the others. One bad reviews? Ok, well that just means that someone had a bad day. Not the end of the world. More than one negative review or do you see a trend? Are their multiple reviewers saying the same thing? That is a HUGE red flag. Run. 

4. Ask your friends, family & colleagues who they have used. See if they have used anyone you are thinking of and ask for feedback.

I always love a good first hand reference. Just like you, I read reviews and look into businesses before I use them but when you have a trusted source give you a recommendation based on their actual interaction with the company that is gold to me. 

5. If all else is equal, decide on this based on the pricing. 

Did you notice that cost is the LAST of the ways I listed? Yes, this is your money but this is NOT one of the times where cheaper is better. Cheaper is just that, cheaper. I don't know about you but I certainly don't have money just to throw around on things so I carefully watch every penny that goes out. But I know the difference between cheap and just a great value. I know when to spend the money and where to save. The tent company is not where to save. Think about it this way, the tent will literally cover your entired weddig. If it is not installed right, something doesn't show up or it fails an inspection- game over. You're scrambling. Like I said earlier, it may seem 'cheaper' but does it cost you more in the long run? 

Truly something to think about. 

Happy Planning!

xo 
​~Tiffany