Alyssa’s Hot Take: Tented Weddings

Cole Swindell’s Wedding Tent – by SAMKOMA

A tented wedding looks beautiful on Pinterest and TikTok. But when you choose one, you are doing something bigger than renting a tent: you are building your own venue from scratch. After working at a tent rental company in Nashville, I’ve seen how many pieces that involves. Here is what to think through before you commit, so a tented wedding stays a gorgeous idea and not a stressful one.

A traditional venue comes with the basics. With a tent, you provide them yourself, from top to bottom. The tent alone is probably a couple thousand dollars, depending on how big it is. From there, the list can grow:

None of this is a reason to skip a tent. It is a reason to see the full scope before you fall in love with the photos.

This is the part many couples don’t expect.

Heaters: Choose the Right Type

You need a specific type of heater for use under a tent. The propane heaters you see at restaurants can’t go underneath a tent because they are flammable. A tent catching fire is the worst case scenario.

Fire Marshal Approval

In Nashville, you need to apply for a permit-type approval with your nearest fire marshal. After the rental company sets up the tent, a fire official has to come and check it. They make sure nothing flammable could set it on fire, that everyone will be safe during the event, and that the tent isn’t going to collapse. If that check hasn’t happened, your wedding could be shut down by the fire department, at least in Nashville. Check the rules where you’re getting married.

Rain Is Fine, Lightning Is Not

Most people rent a tent so guests and linens stay dry in the rain. But if there is lightning, it is actually dangerous to be under a tent. Big metal poles stick up from it, so you are essentially outside, surrounded by metal poles. Have a plan for that possibility before the day arrives.

You don’t want your guests eating in the dark. That means your tent needs a power supply, and that supply needs somewhere to plug in. If you want to get married in a field under a tent, you will probably need to rent a generator. If there is a barn hundreds of feet away, you may have to run a line all the way from the tent to that power source. Then check that the source can handle the load. Add up everything that will draw power:

Tent by Curated Events Nashville

Get all of that information to whoever is handling logistics, and confirm the power supply can actually take it.

A good wedding planner knows these things. When you say “tented wedding,” the permits, power, heating and safety checks should already be running through their mind. Without a planner, couples planning a tented wedding can run into a lot of roadblocks. The point isn’t to scare you, because this is all doable. It just takes someone who can handle it. I also highly recommend renting from an actual rental company. They will do many of these cross checks for you and help make sure everything goes according to plan. If you need vendor recommendations in Nashville for a tented wedding, Nashville Bride Guide can point you to vendors who are legit and can do this for you.

3T Tents & Events

Yes, if you go in knowing what you’re building. A tented wedding can be beautiful, and creating a custom venue is actually really cool. You just have to treat it like the project it is. Before you book, make a list of the flooring, walls, heat, lighting, power and permits your tent will need. Then bring in a planner and a reputable rental company to confirm every item. Have you planned a tented wedding, or have a tent horror story? Share it in the comments, and send your tent wedding pictures, because the custom touches couples come up with are worth seeing.

Do I need a permit for a tented wedding?

In Nashville, you need to apply for a permit-type approval with your nearest fire marshal, and a fire official has to check the tent after it’s set up. Rules depend on your area, so confirm locally.

Can I use propane heaters under a tent?

No. The propane heaters you see at restaurants are flammable and can’t go under a tent. You need a specific type of heater made for tent use.

Is a tent safe in a storm?

In rain, a tent keeps guests and linens dry. In lightning, it is dangerous, because the tent has big metal poles sticking up.

Will I need a generator?

Possibly. If your tent is in a field, you will probably need one. If there is a barn nearby, you may run a line from it instead, as long as that source can handle your power needs.