Party tents are a great way of bringing the indoors out. Outdoor party tents allow you to provide cover from the elements yet still remain outside. There are many possibilities for making the most of party tents. With a little imagination you can use party tents to your advantage for every event.

Consider the following when evaluating your party tent needs:

1. With a few accessories, you can transform your party tent depending on the needs of the event.

2. Look into using several small-scale party tents to create options for your next event.

3. Use party tent rentals to complement the party tents you already have in your possession.

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Transform your party tent with a few accessories

There are many factors that may influence what you'll need out of a party tent. What will the weather be like? Will there be dancing? A stage? Loud noise? Considering the needs of each event can help you decide which accessories you may need to purchase for your party tent.

I recommend: Main Awning and Tent offers many accessories, such as sidewalls and ground covers, that will allow you to create an environment fitting for each event, whether you need to create wedding tents for a client or are hosting an annual party to reward your staff. Ace Canopy has durable party tents that will withstand the elements and can be customized for each of your events.

Buy party tents to set the stage for your event

With all of the available party tent options, you can create any setting you or your client desires. If you keep your eyes open for party tents for sale, you can eventually collect party tents of different sizes that can complement each other for your next event. One size tent can be used as the catering tents, one for drinks and one tent specifically for games, for example. Using a combination of smaller party tents can make your event fun and get people out of their seats and moving around.

I recommend: Tentnology has many party tents for purchase. EliteDeals.com also offers many party tents of different styles and sizes.

Use party tent rentals to complement the party tents you already own

Maybe you own the 'main tent' for each event, but need a few smaller tents to provide more space. Rather then purchasing complementing tents, maybe decide with each event what other party tents will make the most of your main party tent and rent them. This way you can personalize each event to fit the needs of the customer.

I recommend: Champion Canopies & Tarps has several options that it has designated by how many people and tables will fit inside each size. Rent & Rave also carries multiple sizes of party tents for your next event. The other benefit of renting a few complementary tents is that you can likely rent any other furniture or accessories that you need for each event from the same company.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Event linens can make your party tent look completely different from one event to the next. If you want to personalize the event from one to the next but will be using the same tent, consider investing in multiple sets of linens, or renting linens, to create a different mood at each event.

Party tents are great resources for both outdoor events and to mark off smaller spaces at indoor events. They can also be as economical to purchase as to rent, so you can buy party tents rather than rent them.

If you're looking for party tents for sale, you will need to look at frame tents as well as pole and canopy tents to decide what type of tent meets your needs. Tents come in a number of different sizes, so before you buy party tents decide on a few things:

1. Determine your size needs for the party tent.
2. Decide if you want your party tent to be enclosed. Enclosed tents can block noise, wind, and weather if necessary.
3. Look for event appropriate tents to match the color and aesthetic of your needs.
4. Check out new and used party tents, as well as party tent rentals, to decide on your best cost option.

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Get the right size party tents

Party tents come in so many different sizes and dimensions that you'll need to have a very specific measurement in mind when shopping.

I recommend: If you're not sure what size tent you need, try seating capacity if the event is seated. Use the occupancy to figure out the dimensions you need, and then rent with the option of having portable dance floor installed as well. Or use BC Tent and Awning's tent size calculator to enter the number of people attending your event and the types of tables or floors you need to determine tent size.

Choose the features you need in party tents

Party tents generally come either open air or enclosed. Most sizes will be available for sale or rent in either option.

I recommend: Shop with companies that offer enclosed or open air options for all party tents for sale or rent, or shop for party tents with removable walls for versatility. Enclosed tents are especially helpful if you're looking for catering tents or wedding tents.

Match your tent's look to your needs

If you're shopping for wedding tents, look for white options with window cut-outs or dance floors. If you're in need of party tents for a carnival, look for bright colors and patterns.

I recommend: Use the free My Party Planner search feature to search for rental vendors for your specific party. Vendors will often rent not only party tents, but also equipment like tables and chairs, karaoke or other games, and even catering. When shopping for wedding tents, local sale and rental companies are often a good choice because they can provide more flexible service for your needs and may be more familiar with your venue. Find a wedding tent rental service near you for the best service.

Shop new and used when you buy party tents

Maximize your cost effectiveness by looking for new and used party tents for sale as well as party tent rentals.

I recommend: Many vendors sell new tents as well as used party tents because of the prevalence of used tents on the market. Shop with a party tent vendor that offers used prices on all sizes. When renting, find party tent rentals near you for the best rental service, since you rely on a vendor for delivery and assembly services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you want to buy party tents rather than rent, make sure that you have all the necessary equipment to hold the frame or poles in place. You may need a variety of hardware or ropes depending on the type of tent.
• •  Learn about the weather resistance of any tent you are buying or renting. Not all outdoor party tents are weather resistant, and you will need to know what purposes your tent can realistically serve and when to postpone.

Party tents come in a variety of styles and sizes, including everything from canopies to full structures with walls and windows. When looking for party tents for sale, it is important to keep in mind what you plan on using the tent for -- a food tent, outdoors, indoors? The pricing and costs of party tents can vary quite a bit depending on what will suit your needs the best. Ask yourself these questions when setting your party tent budget: 1. Do you want your party tent to serve as an enclosure or provide a covered area? 2. What size area do you need your party tent to cover? 3. Would renting a party tent be more budget friendly? 4. What other equipment will you need to buy or rent to fill your party tent?

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Consider the event and size of the space when setting your party tent budget

There are many factors that go into selecting the right party tent for your budget: the space, the number of people, the setting, etc. You can get a basic canopy, up to 32-feet long, for under $1,000. If you want roll-down walls or windows, you will likely add upward of $500 to your bill. If you want something more substantial then a canopy cover, you can spend close to $30,000 per tent for full enclosures that are more than 60 feet by 60 feet.

I recommend: Buy party tents at HutShop.com that include everything from simple backyard canopies starting at $100 to large wedding tents that are up to almost $100,000. Party Rental Supply Center offers a large selection of smaller party and catering tents to purchase that are all around $1,000 for the frame and canopy, with and without walls.

Decide how often you will use your party tent

If you aren't sure quite how often you will your party tent, you may benefit from looking into party tent rentals. You can pay hundreds, if not thousands, less if you will only need a party tent for a few select events. However, you also need to consider the other costs that may be associated with renting -- set-up fees, insurance fees, etc.

I recommend: Businesses like Affordable Party Tent Rentals offer packages that include the rental of the tables and chairs. You can rent outdoor party tents equipped for 100 people for under $500. O'neil Tents carries some of the larger, more substantial tents that can be rented for anywhere from $100 for a 6-by-6 frame tent to $10,000 for a 100-by-200 tent that holds up to 3,000 people standing.

Take into account the costs of the equipment you will need to fill your party tent

In many cases a tent alone won't complete your event. You will need to purchase or rent chairs, tables, bars, lighting, sound equipment, etc. It is important to factor all of these things in when calculating your party tent costs. Prices will vary based on how many people your tent will need to accommodate but will begin around $1 per chair.

I recommend: Companies like Lasting Impressions Event Rentals rent out tents along with all of the other accessories you may need to make your event complete. Anar Party Rental also carries flooring, lighting and linens that will help to complete your party tent.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Another cost to keep in mind when buying a party tent is whether or not you will need to hire someone to set up the tent for each event or if someone on your staff will be able to do it. Some of the larger scale tents require poles and other structures that only someone with a lot of experience can put together.

Before you go searching for a party tent to rent or purchase, you should have an understanding of some of the terms that are used in the party tent industry. First off, you should know the difference between basic types of tents, such as frame tents, pole tents and canopies. Also, it can be useful to know some of the major parts of a tent's structure, such as fittings, ball bungies and foot pads. So read on to raise your knowledge as you get ready to raise your tent.

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Canopy

A canopy is a lightweight party tent that works well for small events and does not require professional installation. While some styles include walls, others do not. Most canopies can fit in the trunk of a car and can be installed by two people in less than an hour.

I recommend: Visit Canopy Mart for pictures and more information about canopy tents. Click on the pictures to get specific details about each canopy style.

Pole tent

A pole tent, sometimes called a stake tent, is a traditional large tent with poles in the middle and along the sides. The tent is also supported with stakes and ropes. A pole tent's roof is large and peaked, and a pole tent takes up more space than a frame tent. Pole tents also require professional installation.

I recommend: The Imperial Tent Company provides pictures of pole tents, along with more information.

Frame tent

If a tent's aesthetics are important to you, you should consider a frame tent. Frame tents require less staking, so they fit into small areas, and several tents can be connected. Additionally, there are no center poles. This creates an interior space that is uninterrupted and very functional. Frame tents are generally more expensive than pole tents.

I recommend: L.T. Rental Services is a good resource for pictures and information about frame tents.

Ball bungies

Ball bungies are used to secure the tent material to the tent frame. When purchasing ball bungies, choose a heavy-duty cord that will last for an extended period of time.

I recommend: To see a picture of ball bungies and obtain additional information, visit Lab Safety Supply.

Foot pads

Foot pads help hold the legs of the tent or canopy firmly in place. They are made of thick metal and come with holes through which to pass the stakes.

I recommend: Ace Canopy provides good examples of sizes of foot pads, as well as information about their importance.

Tent fittings

Tent fittings are small metal tubes that are used to connect the metal supports of a tent. They are shaped in angles to be used for the edges, corners and middle of a tent.

I recommend: Check out Tents Canopy for more information about fittings.