Celebrating Under The Big Top: Beautiful Ideas For An Outdoor Tent Wedding (2024)

Elizabeth and Andrew Wedding – Low Centerpiece – The Foundry – Anastasiia Photography

As we gear up for the wedding season ahead, it looks like COVID-19 will continue to have a major impact on how social gatherings are planned. Couples with their hearts set on marrying in the upcoming months have serious decisions to make on how to safely bring together family and friends. In doing so, many are heading outdoors and holding their celebration under a tent. Not just a shelter from inclement weather, a tent can be dressed up with beautiful decor just like any other luxury venue. From the ceremony backdrop to the tablescape to the dance floor, here are 15 beautiful ideas for an outdoor tent wedding.

Nailah and Hasan Wedding – Reception Tent low centerpiece – Liberty Warehouse – Jenna Cavanaugh Photography

A Sparkling Chiffon Canopy
As you will see, lighting is key to creating an unforgettable ambiance within a tented space. This open air reception pairs white chiffon draping with twinkling fairy lights to conjure a scene of enchanted romance.

Lesley & Matt Wedding – First Dance – Gurney’s Montauk – by Jakub Redziniack

Draw Attention To The Dance Floor
If you are planning to have every part of your wedding take place under the tent, it’s a good idea to allocate areas for specific uses. Eye-catching decor creates a point of interest, and no guest will be able to resist the temptation of taking a twirl on the dance floor with a jaw-dropping floral installation suspended overhead.

Danielle & Noah Wedding – Cold Spring Country Club NY – Draped Chuppah Ceremony – Photography by Brett Matthews

Ceremony Decor That Takes Your Breath Away
A tent of floor-to-ceiling white chiffon draping doubles as a canvas just begging to be trimmed with gorgeous decor. This ceremony featured an aisle way accented with rose petals and candles that opened up to a chuppah, also made of white chiffon. Together, the glistening crystal chandeliers, candles, and delicate fabric create a breathtaking atmosphere that is as much timeless as it is sophisticated.

Sara & Mitch Wedding – Reception – The Foundry – Craig Paulson Studio

A Clear Top Reception
Just because you are having an outdoor wedding doesn’t mean you can’t highlight your venue’s distinct charm and character. For this reception at The Foundry, a clear top structure allowed for full appreciation of the courtyard’s sprawling ivy and century old brickwork while giving the illusion of being under the open sky.

Jamie and Jasper Wedding – Tablescape Low High Centerpiece – Gurneys Montauk – Pat Furey Photography

A Natural Color Scheme
This summer beach wedding at Gurney’s Montauk looked to the natural surroundings for color inspiration. Fresh florals of various shade of white, verdant greenery, and natural wood accents combined to create a scene that captured the organic beauty of the season.

Amy and Michael Wedding – Reception Tent Low Centerpiece – Sephardic Temple – Susan Shek Photography

A Garden Tea Party Inspired Reception
Who doesn’t love getting an invitation to a garden tea party? Setting a romantic mood for this tented reception at the Sephardic Temple, co*cktail tables were topped with soft colored florals accented with delicate pink, white, and gold decor elements.

Tent Wedding Ideas – Natural Tree Decor – via brides.com

Arbor Decor
Dining under a shady grove of trees may not be an option, but creating an arbor themed canopy is. Seek the natural environment for inspiration by incorporating foliage and greenery that grow nearby into the decor scheme.

Wedding Tent Ideas – Intimate Lighting – via stylemepretty.com

A Warm, Intimate Tablescape
Nothing sets the mood for love like a warmly lit tablescape. To create an intimate dining atmosphere for guests to enjoy, consider long tables adorned with low, lush floral centerpieces, glowing candles of various styles, and soft, flowing linens.

Wedding Tent Ideas – Greenery Wrap – via stylemepretty.com

Surprising Uses For Greenery Garland
A downside to having a large tent wedding are the unsightly poles needed to hold up the structure. Make the eye soars disappear by wrapping the poles in a voluminous garland of verdant greenery.

Wedding Tent Reception – Mix & Match Decor – via greenweddingshoes.com

Colorful, Mix & Match Decor
One of the many benefits of a tent wedding reception is that there are no rules when it comes to decor. Styling and design possibilities are endless and we absolutely adore this mix & match theme that incorporates vibrant flowers with hanging lampshades and ribbons.

Wedding Tent Ideas – DIY Fairy Lighting Canopy – via theknot.com

A Celestial Canopy
This heavenly woodland reception is making us fall in love with fairy lights all over again. Just imagine celebrating saying “I Do” to your soulmate with a starry-eyed canopy hanging above.

Wedding Tent Ideas – Grand Entrance – via ruffledblog.com

Make A Grand Entrance
As guests arrive to your tent wedding, the first thing they will see is the structure’s outside. Make an unforgettable first impression by designing a show-stopping entrance with floral decor that harmonizes the outside with the interior atmosphere.

Wedding Tent Ideas – Floral Installation – via theknot.com

Draw The Eye Up With Hanging Florals
A gorgeous hanging floral installation draws the eye up while allowing guests to appreciate the full beauty of a naturally lit, airy reception. Pro Tip: Use the installation to underscore the beautiful floral table decor below by incorporating the same flowers and/or color palette.

Wedding Tent Ideas – Luxurious Details – via brides.com

Luxury Is In The Details
More is more… glittering details, dramatic lighting, and luscious blooms combine to create an ambiance that is as beguiling to the senses as the grandest of ballrooms.

Wedding Tent Ideas – Draped Greenery Garland – via stylemepretty.com

Hanging Greenery Garland
Another unexpected way to display greenery garland is to fashion it in hanging rows from the ceiling. Here, the pairing of elegant chiffon draping and lush greenery and florals creates a juxtaposition of striking grace overheard.

No longer just a trend, tents provide a large, open space that can be decorated to suit any wedding style while offering views of the outside scenery all around. In the time of COVID-19, they are a solution to the challenge of holding social gatherings safely and responsibly (after complying with state and local laws and guidelines). Event venues have been quick to pick up on this, converting outdoor areas such as rooftops, courtyards, patios, and gardens in order to accommodate once in a lifetime celebrations under the big top.

Celebrating Under The Big Top: Beautiful Ideas For An Outdoor Tent Wedding (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a wedding tent elegant? ›

At a tent wedding, "use color, different table types, dramatic band backdrops, and never forget to make a statement with the stage fascia and the dance floor!" No matter how many fabulous custom pieces you have in your tent, lighting is the most important element to truly make everything cohesive and gorgeous.

How do you cool an outdoor wedding tent? ›

For many parties, simply having some strategically placed fans will be enough to keep things cool. If you have a pole tent, you can hang fans on the poles to distribute cooled air around the tent. If you need something more, you can get large, stand-up fans and position them at the corners of the tent.

How can I make my outdoor wedding beautiful? ›

Try creating a lush, natural canopy of greenery and flowers, using trellises, arches, and other supports. 5. Thrift it. Vintage furniture, glassware, and linens are all great additions to you backyard wedding ideas.

How can I make my tent look pretty? ›

Lightweight decorative items are always a big hit and can make great use of free space under the tent top. Paper lanterns, orbs, and even greenery like flowers give you more ways to fill space with color without making things look too busy.

How to decorate outdoor space for wedding? ›

You can also decorate it with flowers, greenery, or lights to match your theme. You can reuse items from your home or thrift stores, such as ladders, crates, baskets, bottles, and vases to display flowers, candles, lanterns, or signs2 3 . You can also paint them or add ribbons for a touch of color.

What is too hot for an outdoor wedding? ›

Anything above the temperature-humidity index of 85F, and dewpoints at 70 degrees or higher, would be too hot for an outdoor wedding. Air temperatures at 95F or higher are also too risky for an outdoor wedding. How cold is too cold for an outdoor wedding?

How can I look flawless on my wedding day? ›

Getting your body on a monthly beauty regime will allow you to look your very best, come wedding time. Nails, hair and skin should begin prepping six months in advance. When you begin planning your special day, allow part of your budget to go toward beauty treatments at your favorite spa.

How to design wedding tent? ›

Create the best wedding tent layout
  1. Dance floor center: Put a round or square dance floor in the center of the tent. ...
  2. No dance floor: Line the edges with circle-shaped tables but leave the middle open.
  3. Socializing only: Trade sit-down tables for high tops and stools.

How big of a tent do I need for wedding ceremony? ›

For ceremony or theater style seating, plan for a 40x60 tent with around 2400 square feet. If your event will have sit-down seating with round tables, you'll need a whopping 40x100 tent to seat 400 people at 40 tables.

How to make wedding decor look expensive? ›

7 Budget-Friendly Wedding Decor Ideas That Look Expensive
  1. Seashell Place Cards.
  2. A Carnation Photo Backdrop.
  3. Candle Centerpieces.
  4. White Paper Lanterns.
  5. Eucalyptus Napkin Rings.
  6. Apothecary Dry Flower Centerpieces.
  7. Ribbon Chair Decorations.
Jun 16, 2020

How to decorate the inside of a tent? ›

Decorative Cushions: Bring decorative cushions and throw pillows to add comfort and style to your tent. Floor Pillows: Create a cozy seating area with floor pillows where you can relax and unwind. Lightweight Tapestries: Hang lightweight or fabric panels on the tent walls to add color and visual interest.

What is the best fabric for wedding tent? ›

Nylon Fabric

This is one of the most popular choices out there on the market next to specialty engineered products. Nylon can be waterproofed and offers your tent breathability. Nylon is durable and an excellent choice for your fabric structure.

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