Planning a Tent, Barn or Outdoor Wedding: What to Know
Tent, barn and outdoor weddings are some of the most beautiful we work. They also come with a few challenges a ballroom never has. Plan for them early, and the day feels relaxed. Leave them for the last minute, and they become the story of the night.
Power comes first
Many outdoor sites have little or no power where you need it. Sound, lighting, catering and effects all need their own share.
Ask your venue or tent company exactly what power is available and where
If you need a generator, keep it well away from guests
Share your vendors’ power needs with whoever is supplying it
For the ceremony, power is not a problem with us. Our ceremony system is battery powered and works anywhere, so you can say “I do” at the edge of a field or by the water.
Sound behaves differently outside
Without walls, sound spreads out and fades. Turning it up is not the answer. Speaker placement is. Wind can also carry voices away, which is why we use clip-on mics for the ceremony and run a sound check before guests arrive.
Barns have the opposite problem: hard surfaces can echo. Setup and levels matter more than volume in both.
Light the space after sunset
Golden hour is beautiful. Then the sun goes down. Plan lighting for the dance floor, the tables and the paths guests will walk. Uplighting and dance floor lighting make a tent or barn feel finished, and they help your photographer and videographer too.
Do not dance on the grass
Grass shifts, gets wet with evening dew and catches heels. A real dance floor gives guests a safe, level place to dance. Ours is smoked oak, and we can set up to 20x20 feet, with larger options if you need one.
Plan for the heat
Summer tents and barns hold heat. Fans, airflow, shade and plenty of water keep guests comfortable and on the dance floor longer.
Have a real weather plan
Hoping it does not rain is not a plan. Make sure the tent fits every guest, ask about sidewalls and know where the ceremony moves if the weather turns. Share that plan with every vendor ahead of time.
Check the rules
Some towns and venues have noise limits or end times for outdoor music. Find out early so the last dance happens on your terms.
Keep reading
Planning an outdoor wedding?
Check your date and we’ll help you plan sound, power and lighting for your site. See our wedding packages.
