6 Ideas for an Unforgettable Stretch Tent Wedding

Even before the pandemic forced us to take our socialising al fresco, more and more couples were choosing to hold their weddings or wedding receptions under canvas. It’s easy to see why – as well as offering shelter from the elements, a marquee or tent gives you chance to get creative with your wedding planning. It’s a space you can make your own, in the location you choose, for as many people as your guest list dictates.

And while marquees were once the default choice, nowadays we have stretch tents (also known as stretch marquees or Bedouin stretch tents) too. More versatile than the traditional rigid-framed marquee, stretch tents can be configured any way you like, letting you create a unique shape and work around existing structures and features. They can be erected on any kind of ground and can even be attached to buildings, just like an awning.

Stretch tents are also quite spectacular to look at, and lend themselves to absolutely any style of wedding. Here are just a few ideas.

1. The classic country house wedding

While stretch tents may have a less formal look than a traditional marquee, their elegant forms look stunning in the grounds of a country house or stately home. As an added bonus, the open sides allow you and your guests to take in the venue’s surroundings.

The ability to construct the tent around your environment means you can work around features like walls, trees or fountains, or even incorporate them. The waterproof stretch fabric is also more breathable than the materials used to cover rigid-framed marquees, helping guests stay cool and comfortable on a hot summer’s day.

2. The garden party wedding

Got a more intimate setting in mind? Because stretch tents are flexible in construction, they’re ideal for fitting into smaller or more awkward spaces like gardens and courtyards. They can be erected on hard surfaces like concrete or gravel using ballast or anchors, as well as attached directly to buildings to extend the internal space.

Add flowers, outdoor lighting and heating, good food and drink and plenty of personal touches and even a pub car park could be transformed into the perfect atmospheric party venue. Cheers!

3. The coastal wedding

Cliff-top views, fresh sea air and the sand between your toes… If you dream of saying ‘I do’ beside the sea, consider a stretch tent wedding on the beach or coast. With their organic, undulating shape, wedding stretch tents complement the scenery beautifully to provide the ideal backdrop for your coastal ceremony or reception.

It’s a highly practical option too. As well as providing a shady canopy in warm weather, stretch tents are 100% waterproof and can be pitched with the sides down to give extra protection from the elements. They can also be constructed on all sorts of terrain, including sand.

4. The village fete wedding

A stretch tent would work wonderfully with a rustic, vintage-inspired theme. Take inspiration from the humble village fête and hold your wedding on a rural pub garden, campsite or local farmer’s field. Décor wise, think long tables with benches or mismatched chairs and add DIY details like jam jars of flowers, homemade bunting, repurposed picture frames as props and an old-fashioned sweet shop, ice cream or cocktail station.

5. The forest retreat wedding

For a wedding that’s straight out of a fairytale, consider a romantic woodland setting. Make it an event to remember and create a magical atmosphere and with colourful decorations hung from branches, rustic or hay bale seating and hundred of twinkling fairy lights.

Because the configuration of the tent is up to you, it can be shaped to fit into a clearing or anchored to trees to form a canopy. And because they’re relatively easy to transport and set up they’re ideal for areas that may be harder for large vehicles to access.

6. The festival-inspired wedding

Last but not least, the festival stretch tent wedding. With their beautiful free-flowing shapes, stretch tents are absolutely perfect for your laid-back, bohemian-inspired celebration.
Don’t forget to go big on the entertainment. Whether you go for live music or a DJ set, when night falls it’s time to turn up the volume and revel in the atmosphere of your very own party tent. You might find it useful to know that stretch tent fabric absorbs more sound than the PVC used on most traditional marquees – good news for any neighbours who didn’t get the evening invite!

Final thoughts

Of course, a wedding or civil partnership is a big event and you’ll need to do plenty of research to find out what’s possible at your chosen location or venue. But it’s exciting to note that, as of March 2022, couples in England and Wales can now legally marry outside or in a ‘partially covered structure’, so long as they’re on the grounds of a licensed venue. It looks like open-air weddings are here to stay.

Hopefully this article has given you some idea of just how versatile stretch tents can be. Whether you’re planning your own wedding or managing an events venue, you can browse and shop our range of stretch tents today.

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