The party tents available today are very modern structures

If you are planning to host a large wedding, banquet, barbeque or other event where a large number of individuals may be in attendance then it is important to have suitable accommodations. Often it is not possible to host such large scale events indoors and factors such as weather and other conditions have to be taken into account. This is the situation where party tents are a great choice. These very versatile tents can come readymade and customized to suit many outdoor events. They may also come in many adaptable sizes and colors and be suitable for many conditions. The use of the party tent is not restricted by any means to only the once in a while use but can be seen in use in many hotels, clubs and resorts as fixtures.

The cost of party tents varies mainly according to the size and they are more commonly rented rather than owned. The field of renting these tents has therefore become a very popular and lucrative one lately. These tents have the advantage of providing a look that is both classic and inviting. They are normally guaranteed against all types of weather conditions such as both rain and sunshine. The only downfall of some of these tents is that they may be susceptible to wind so it is normally advisable to get a tent with a heavy material if the weather conditions are anticipated to be windy.

The party tents available today are very modern structures that may come with very appealing interiors that are fashionable as well as they may have additional features such as air conditioning for the summer and heating for the winter months. There are generally two broad categories for party tents. These are the pole tent and the frame tent. The pole tent is basically a pole that is covered with a canvas. The frame tent has a large aluminum frame or steel structure that supports the cloth without the need for any support in the middle of the tent.

The party tents available are quite simple to install and normally when rented this includes installation. Before deciding on a tent however several things should be taken into consideration. The occasion being planned is important as this makes a difference in deciding whether a tent with a lot of fancy accessories will be necessary. If the occasion is smaller then the use of a tent that is less fancy will be appropriate. The size of the tent required should also be considered as well as if the tent is going to be used for the view as well as shade as options such as a canopy tent are available. The use of the tent is important as if space is an issue pole tents can be avoided in preference to frame tents that do not have the pole in the middle. There are also many accessories available to the tent renter and these must also be considered and include items such as lighting.

Do I need a Party Tent or a Marquee?

Hiring a Marquee or Party Tent for your special event is becoming increasingly popular around the world; this article is going to talk about where to start when planning your party and the do's and don'ts of hiring a marquee or party tent.

Do I need a Party Tent or a Marquee?

This can lead to confusion depending on where you live in the world. The definition of both is the same; a large and often sumptuous tent, in the UK and Australia a large tent used for functions is often called a marquee where as in America it is called a party tent or simply a wedding tent.

Time of the year

With modern flooring and heating systems, the time of the year is no longer an issue when hiring a marquee or party tent. Most marquee hire companies will either include heaters with their marquee hire package or will charge a small hire fee; however it is always a good idea to double check the hirer offers this service when planning a party in the winter months.

What Type of Tent?

The most popular marquee is a frame marquee; this is a good option as it does not require any additional space for guy ropes, and so as long as you have the required space for the marquee it will fit into the site. The traditional marquee or the modern tension tent can look a little bit better but they usually require an additional one metre for guy ropes.

What size marquee do I require?

Any good Marquee hire company will know exactly what size you will require by asking your a few quick questions, so before speaking to your local marquee hire company think about the answers to the following questions: - How many people do I wish to accommodate? Are the guests formally seated at tables or is it a buffet with occasional tables? Is it standing or seating only? Do I need a service / catering tent? Am I having a DJ and a dance floor? Do I require space for an initial reception area?

Questions which you should ask your hirer

The first thing to mention when contacting your marquee hirer is where and when your wedding, event or party will take place. This is to make sure than they have availability on that date and that they cover your area.

After this, you should ask their advice on what size you will require the marquee to be. You do not want a party where the tent is too crowded or where it feels empty, so size does matter when hiring a marquee. Some marquee hirers will send you a recommended layout plan along with your quote, this is often very useful when planning your wedding or party tent but do not be afraid to tell them if you feel the layout or size is wrong, after all it is your special day and they will know that everyone has different requirements.

Always ask if there are any additional costs and what is not included in the price, this could be tax or travel expenses etc. Also be sure to ask about what kind of deposit they require. Usually most marquee hire companies will include all this information in the quote, be wary of any hirer which doesn't.

Make sure you ask about what kind of insurance your hirer holds, they should always have some kind of liability insurance especially if they are providing the power for your event.

Ask about power in your marquee, do they provide this free of charge? For larger events it is a very important consideration; bands, lighting and catering can often require a lot of power and your event could be ruined if the power fails. Most marquee companies will use qualified electricians to connect power to your party tent but it is always wise to check first. For larger events it may even be wise to rent a backup generator.

I hope that this information has made the planning of your party, wedding or event a little bit easier.

Darren Parkinson is the owner of Cheshire Marquee Hire [http://www.weddingtentsforsale.com] which provides marquees to hire in Cheshire, UK.  There is more information on the site plus a free marquee planner, so visit Marquee Hire Cheshire [http://www.weddingtentsforsale.com] for more help in planning your party, wedding or corporate event.