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Insert your favorite expletives above.
I don’t know what the %#@! problem is with tents. They are super pretty, right?
Image via Perfect Wedding Guide / Photo by Karla Fountain Photography
Image via The Merriment Blog
But for some reason, we are having a really, really difficult time conceptualizing this whole tent thing. Hence the use of multiple expletives…often.
I feel like this is a math problem that I am trying desperately to solve, but I can’t because math is stupid and sucks. But I’m wondering if I maybe explain the problem to y’all, maybe one of you will be blessed with the intelligence, experience, and rational thinking skills that I seem to lack in response to this #^%$@! $#@!%^& tent problem.
Here’s the situation. We have rented a place called The Barn at Valhalla. It consists of a structure referred to as a “barn,” but it’s not really a barn, and if you refer to it as such it will piss Mr. Magic off to no end. (I know, there’s already a lot of factors in this problem, right?!?) This structure is not big enough to seat everyone for the reception.
How big is it, you [gutter minded girls] ask? Well, it’s, like, this big…
Image via A Wedding Minister
Ok, fine, I’ll give you some not exactly precise measurements in just a minute, but first, let me just explain that there is the inside part (see?) and an outside covered porch on either side (you can only see one of the covered sides above), and then an uncovered porch (that’s it on the right side of the photo).
Image via Duffy Gilligan, Owner of The Barn at Valhalla
Note that the 50 x 30 for the Main Hall includes the space for kitchens and bathrooms. Below are my crappy diagrams where unusable space is blacked out. The first one is the sunny day plan.
We could also put a couple more tables on the dance floor and then break them down…but that seems like such a pain.
Here is the rain plan.
So, this one has all the guests seated in the tent. Dancing and stuff would be in the barn.
[Ugh, I feel so stressed just writing this blog post.]
Ok, so, we obviously need to rent a tent in case it rains, and probably a 40×60 tent (I have been advised that size is best, and that size is bigger than the one in the above rain plan).
But, here’s my big question. Do we just commit to using the tent rain or shine, as it will be more roomy and will give us more piece of mind…or do we use the tent only as a rain plan? If you are thinking the latter (which is somewhat more cost efficient…might save us 500-800$…which in the big scheme of things is like a drop in the bucket…might as well go ahead and rent some pink ponies while we’re throwing this big huge freaking wedding…), let me tell you that first we put down a deposit, but then at most places we have to cancel the tent order one whole WEEK before to avoid paying the rest of the cost (we still lose our deposit). So, in some ways, it makes more sense just to spend the money, embrace the tent, have plenty of space and peace of mind.
I hear ya sister! I am also dealing with tent issues right now. We are eating inside a historic mansion but need the tent for dancing and mingling afterwards. I can’t for the life of me decide if 40×60 is going to be big enough and how many tables and chairs to rent. ARGHHHH! In your case, I would just spend the money on the tent and have peace of mind. You’ll use it even if it doesn’t rain, I think. Good luck!
Miss Magic, I am not sure whether you plan on having dancing before the dinner is finished, but can you set up the buffet on the dance floor and then after dinner break it down, THEN have the first dance? That way you cut put tables where the buffet is. So…if you didn’t want the tent this would give you more space.
However, I love tents and thing they are beautiful… overall I think have the space is important because crowded spaces are not fun for your guest! 
Good luck!
If it really fits in your budget I would keep searching for tents until you fall in love with one picture and have to have it! I like the idea of embracing it and using it to enlarge your space…you can play with the floor plan and even put the dance floor under the tent..If you like the lights in that one tent picture maybe you can dance under the lights… I think you might drive yourself crazy with two plans up until the week before…usually peace of mind is worth the money
A good friend of mine was married at this location last year and was able to comfortably sit 100 guests in the barn and on the east deck, leaving plenty of dancing space, although there was not a proper “dance floor.” A buffett was set up on the south deck.
If I were in your shoes I would embrace the tent. Simply because having everyone be able to eat under one roof & in one “room” would be important to me. We faced similar problems in looking for our reception locations. I didn’t like the idea of some people being in one area (be it a deck or another room) and then some people inside by the dance floor & the head table and then another group in another area, etc. For us, we have a lot of family traveling in from out of state for this and I just didn’t want anyone to feel as thought they weren’t “included” enough, if they weren’t in the “main area”. I hope that makes sense. I dunno, if I were in your shoes, I would use the tent for dinner and then have dancing inside the main hall and then have some tables and chairs set out on the decks so that people can relax and socialize….just my “two cents”….I feel ya with the stress, trust me! We’re about 2 months away ourselves. Hope you guys figure it out soon, for your own sanity!
Reading this kinda made my head hurt, not gonna lie. I say do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable, even if it means spending a little extra money. Personally, I’d go tent all the way so I would have one less thing to stress over in the next couple of months.
go tent! I suggest the tent rain or shine…it can be awkward for the guests if they are in separate rooms…this also makes it difficult to hear if you have an MC/DJ directing the flow of things as well as can make guests feel alienated.
I’m sorry you’re getting hit with the dreaded last-minute expenses. 
I voted to embrace the tent. Not only will it give you peace of mind, but I think it’ll be a lovely place for your guests to mingle together–rain or shine. Would it be possible to rent a smaller tent (which hopefully costs less) and only have the South Deck tables in there?
I have crazy amounts of respect for girls who plan outdoor (or outdoor-ish) weddings! I am WAY to neurotic and would be a stressed out, worrying mess in the weeks before the wedding. I think you should totally rent the tent for the peace of mind… and that way you can have a set plan for decorating it the way you want so it doesn’t seem like a rain plan add-on later =)
I’m sure whatever you decide will be absolutely beautiful! Good luck deciding!!
I love the tent! Tent weddings are so pretty and allow for everybody to be under one roof. I think if you can swing it financially, get the tent and plan your layout around that. You don’t want to be constantly checking the weather wondering if you’re going to lose your money or not, or have to figure out two completely different layouts.
i’m all for the tent!!
i’m having almost the opposite problem… my site is huge and there is a patio deck thingy where everyone could theoretically fit (maybe a tad squished, but…cozy?)… but there’s a giant lawn so i’d rather have everyone out on the lawn to enjoy the outdoor site a little better and to allow for more room… but a tent would be nice because it might end up getting hot and they’re oh so purdy. i finally convinced the fam to allow for a tent, but now my mom says that if it rains, our rain plan should be to put everyone on the deck thingy and get rid of the tent. isn’t it supposed to be the opposite? 
Now you have me thinking I should at least research tents, but seriously when was the last time it rained in Livermore in September? No really, HAS IT EVER? Ok…googling tents now.
You have the tables in your diagram, but have you included space for a chair (2ft, bare min. 18in.) or circulation around the table (min. 2ft)? I’m worried that you haven’t and it just doesn’t look like the non-tented option is going to work.
Room Width: 30ft
Dance Floor Width: 15ft
Width of Table Space on Either Side: 7.5ft (or 90in)
Diameter of Table: 60in
Diameter of Space for Table w/18in for Chairs all around: 96in
So, even if some people’s chairs were against the wall, other people’s chairs would be sitting on the dance floor. I think that you should go with the tent. Other wise consider 30in wide banquet tables.
I’m thinking, if the budget allows, to just get the tent. I think it will totally be worth your peace of mind to know that you’ve got it…just in case Plus, as others have mentioned—tents do add a lovely element to weddings!
Girlfriend, I feel your pain but I think you’re going to have to suck it up and rent the tent, whether you use it or not (my 7-day wedding forecast called for sunny skies and 10% chance of rain…How’d that one work out?) but tents are so pretty and give people the idea that they’re outside without actually dealing with the downsides to being outside, like wind and bugs! If it’s nice weather, you can have the sides rolled up and all will be well. If it rains, you’ve got a big beautiful tent that will keep everyone warm and dry!
Embrace the tent, but make very sure of your dimensions. Sorry! I know that’s prob the last thing you want to do! Our marquee was 50×30 feet, which was a fairly tight squeeze for 118 adults and a dozen kids, a small bar and middling small dance floor. If you have extra space you won’t regret it - just think about circulation space for you in your dress between tables when people have their chairs pulled back etc. If your looking for tent-spiration there is a FABULOUS English garden wedding over on Style Me Pretty you should look at. It nearly broke me heart when I saw it. Two months after our wedding. The vision we hadn’t been properly able to articulate, right there… Anyhoo, don’t freak about it, go for a big-ass tent and enjoy it!
Tents are awesome, tents are awesome - i love tents i love tents - keep singing that to yourself and it should make it true. Im sure thats how it works!
I definitely agree not to risk having guests outside, if you plan for rain it is a pleasant surprise when it doesnt in my books
Tents are awesome! And just imagine how quickly your headache would go away once you committed to have and keep the tent no matter what. Then you can work on details like how to decorate, knowing you won’t have to worry about a slight hint of rain.
And what if it’s really sunny or hot that day? Or windy? People will really appreciate having the tent in those situations as well.
How many guests are you going to have? Sorry, I must have missed that. I got married at “the barn” a little over a year ago and we had about 85 people. Everyone sat inside, but we probably couldn’t have added another table. However, we did NOT have a dance floor already set aside. During the toasts, most of the bridal party was up out of their seats anyway, so the caterers broke down one table in the corner. We did our first dance there, then the (amazing) caterers knew just how many tables to break down. We never even discussed this, it all just organically happened and made the dance floor very cozy and encouraged people to dance because they weren’t scared of an empty dance floor!
Hey Miss Magic! So sorry we have to connect since we’re getting married so close together and it would be great to bounce ideas off of each other!
Anyhow, I wanted to let you know that we have rented a tent from Classic Party Rentals (30×60) which will be delivered on Friday (10/7). At a venue I used to work at in Durham, if there were parties using the same tent in consecutive weekends, they would just leave the same tent up (change out pole wraps) then the clients could split the cost of the tent since it doesn’t cost the copy extra for a crew to come out and set-up again. If you’re getting married right before or after us and using Classic we may be able to work it out. If not, no worries! Just a thought!
As for the tent, we went for it for total peace of mind, and for the flow of the event!
Good luck and I bet your day will be beautiful!
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Mrs. Magic, Chapel Hill, NC Age and Occupation: 30, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Researcher Engagement Date: December 1, 2009 Wedding Date: October 2011 Venue: Barn at Valhalla About Me: I’m a tall drink of water (5’10”!) and a Southern bride with an enormous appetite for Mexican food, good deals, anything French, and all things wedding! By day I am lucky enough to work with individuals with autism and their families. By night, I’m even luckier to be able to spend time hanging out with awesome friends, crafting, shopping, thinking about exercising, and kicking it with Mr. Magic and our two cats. I tend to have sudden, intense cravings that will not be denied (seafood enchiladas! new jeans!) and I’m prone to being a disorganized mess of anxiety and stress. After waiting (and waiting!) to get engaged, I am finally planning the colorful, fun, fabulously awesome Fall wedding of our dreams. In an effort to share the fun and craziness that is wedding planning, I’m gonna blog about it for y’all---the good, the bad, and the pretty!
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