How to Design a Wedding Tent
With the right team behind you, the possibilities are endless when it comes to crafting wedding tents. “We’ve designed everything from multi-level structures in the woods to sweeping sailcloth tents overlooking the ocean, and everything in between,” says Peterson. But it’s important to think about every factor. “For us, it’s almost always a blend of sentimentality (the land or setting holds deep meaning for our clients), logistics (remote terrain, weather, or the absence of existing infrastructure), and design (the creative challenge of transforming that space into something entirely unique),” says the planner, who often collaborates with Arche Creative to design these structures. “We treat custom tenting as architecture, not backup—an opportunity to build a setting that reflects both the story and the spirit of a place.”
Tents and event structures can infuse natural textures, have clear surfaces to allow the night sky to shine through, and even include infrastructure that creates multiple “rooms” within to enhance guest experience. “Even something as simple as adjusting the leg height can shift the energy—lower for intimacy, higher for a sweeping, open-air feel,” says Peterson. While drapery is a popular way to transform tents right now, a skilled event designer could literally build out real walls, build staircases, and play with lighting to create a speakeasy hideaway with an entirely new mood and atmosphere within your event space. The short of it? With the right budget, you can create anything you wish.
Photo by ALLAN ZEPEDAPhoto: Allan Zepeda
How Much Does a Custom Wedding Tent Cost?
If you are considering doing a custom build, it’s important to know there are many factors that will add to that cost. “Beyond the tent rental and the labor to construct (and later dismantle) the structure, there are countless layers that bring the environment to life: decking and flooring, design finishes to conceal hardware, large-scale lighting, CAD drawings and renderings, power distribution, restrooms, service areas, and catering infrastructure—the list goes on,” shares Peterson. “We typically see a custom build project starting anywhere from $150K to $250K and can easily reach $500K to $1M-plus depending on the design elements, location, and HVAC needs.”
