[source]
Mmmm. There it is. Steel beams and flame retardant white fabric. Every bride's dream, am I right? There are several solutions to this potential problem, but most cost a huge chunk of every bride's budget. I don't really have a solution for this problem except to host your wedding in your own backyard and mask the tent's ceiling yourself because I don't think any venue is going to be comfortable with a DIY bride on a 20ft ladder hanging paper lanterns on the morning of her wedding. I should know- I asked.
1. Draping
Otherwise known as fluffy ethereal marshmallow fairytale bliss:
The problem? Apparently, draping the ceiling of a tent costs as much as many brides' entire budget. I mean, if you've got it and it's a priority, by all means do go for it. But this bride's pockets aren't that deep. And, fortunately, I picked my venue for a reason.
2. Clear top
My venue's tent can be upgraded to a clear top with the option of just paying for the middle 2 panels or going all the way. I LOVE this idea. I mean, who wants to pay a site fee for the breathtaking beauty of an outdoor venue just to spend the majority of the wedding eating, toasting and dancing with a roof blocking your view?? Not I. Behold:
Of course, not all of this loveliness comes at one low price. The lighting treatment in the top right pic is really what makes the ambiance here, but it brings the total cost up to... well about half of what draping costs, but still more than I'm willing to spend. So I searched for a happy compromise and began to research...
3. Cafe Lights and Paper Lanterns
So simple, fun, whimsical and beautiful! And probably cheap, ring? Hmph. Here's where the wedding industry really makes me mad. I've seen some quotes for paper lantern hanging for the same cost as draping. (Okay, you're getting that I'm not really a "numbers" person. I think the top of what I'm talking about here is 5 or 6K. For reals). And our guy Larry with Open Aire Affairs told my dad that the cost of hanging cafe lights will outweigh the benefit. I was looking down the same kind of disappointing road. At least he's open to creative solutions, and not trying to upsell us! (Seriously, I heart my vendors).
Our tent's roof will be the complete clear top, and we're sticking with the standard chandeliers that won't cost extra. Now that's a compromise. And one I can feel good about because the complete clear top was my dad's idea. Um... awesome! (That means, in my not-good-at-budget brain that I can't be blamed, right?).
We're going to get our romantic ambiance from my creative wonderful florists: TBR (to be revealed).
Any other tent brides out there? What were your roof solutions? Was it a priority or not worth the cost?
1. Draping
Otherwise known as fluffy ethereal marshmallow fairytale bliss:
[source]
[source]
[source]
The problem? Apparently, draping the ceiling of a tent costs as much as many brides' entire budget. I mean, if you've got it and it's a priority, by all means do go for it. But this bride's pockets aren't that deep. And, fortunately, I picked my venue for a reason.
2. Clear top
My venue's tent can be upgraded to a clear top with the option of just paying for the middle 2 panels or going all the way. I LOVE this idea. I mean, who wants to pay a site fee for the breathtaking beauty of an outdoor venue just to spend the majority of the wedding eating, toasting and dancing with a roof blocking your view?? Not I. Behold:
[source for all]
Of course, not all of this loveliness comes at one low price. The lighting treatment in the top right pic is really what makes the ambiance here, but it brings the total cost up to... well about half of what draping costs, but still more than I'm willing to spend. So I searched for a happy compromise and began to research...
3. Cafe Lights and Paper Lanterns
So simple, fun, whimsical and beautiful! And probably cheap, ring? Hmph. Here's where the wedding industry really makes me mad. I've seen some quotes for paper lantern hanging for the same cost as draping. (Okay, you're getting that I'm not really a "numbers" person. I think the top of what I'm talking about here is 5 or 6K. For reals). And our guy Larry with Open Aire Affairs told my dad that the cost of hanging cafe lights will outweigh the benefit. I was looking down the same kind of disappointing road. At least he's open to creative solutions, and not trying to upsell us! (Seriously, I heart my vendors).
Our tent's roof will be the complete clear top, and we're sticking with the standard chandeliers that won't cost extra. Now that's a compromise. And one I can feel good about because the complete clear top was my dad's idea. Um... awesome! (That means, in my not-good-at-budget brain that I can't be blamed, right?).
We're going to get our romantic ambiance from my creative wonderful florists: TBR (to be revealed).
Any other tent brides out there? What were your roof solutions? Was it a priority or not worth the cost?
Welcome to heart the day, my name is Becky, I am finding my way as a writer, designer, newlywed and puppy mom.
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3 comments:
I'm soooo jealous of the open air clear top though - how effin' cool is that?!? The draping & lighting in the tent was the REASON we picked our venue. We figured it was pretty all on it's own so we didn't need to spend much decorating.
There was a WB Bee blogger who posted about hanging paper lanterns in a tent, I forget who - now I gotta go look it up. ;)
Yup -- it was Mrs. Tiramisu:
http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/03/16/tents-and-lanterns-and-layouts-oh-my/
Thanks Dancy! I had that post in my head as I wrote this but I didn't take the time to look it up (bad blogger).
So yes folks, that's where I got the $5000 figure. It's legit.
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