Before You Rent,
Here are some of the basic things we’ll need to know…
- What surface will the tent be on? (Ground, pavement, etc.)
- Is the area accessible by truck?
- Are there any overhead or buried lines at tent location?
- Nearby pools or buildings?
Other things to keep in mind…
- How are you planning to use the tent?
- What are you planning to have under it? (People, storage, stage, chairs and tables, etc.)
- What time of year do you need the tent?
- Where will the event be held?
- Do you have a color preference?
- Are there any time constraints?
- Do you need other equipment?
- Do you need a service tent? (Caterer, storage, etc.)
Table Linen Ordering Guide
| Table Size | Lap Length | Floor Length | Skirt 3-4 Sides |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36" Round | 84" | 98" | 10’ |
| 48" Round | 90" | 108" | 13’ |
| 60" Round | 90" | 120" | 16’ |
| 72" Round | 108" | 132" | 19’ |
| 6’ Rectangular | 60"×120" | 90"×132" | 11’/17’ |
| 8’ Rectangular | 60"×120" | 90"×156" | 13’/21’ |
Party Tent Seating Guide
| Sit Down Dinner | Sq Ft Per Person |
|---|---|
| Rectangular Tables | 10 |
| Round Tables | 12 |
| Dance Area | Sq Ft Per Person |
| Wedding | 2-3 |
| Dinner or Dance | 3-4 |
| Bandstand | Sq Ft Per Person |
| Person | 10 |
| Drums | 20 |
| Piano (Spinner) | 30 |
| Grand Piano | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | Sq Ft Per Person |
| Stand Up Cocktail | 5-6 |
| Buffet Dinner | 7-8 |
| Cathedral Seating | 5-6 |
| Speakers Platform | 10 |
| Bar | 30 |
Information you need to know to have a successful tented event.
When you are deciding where to put your tent, pick a high and dry location. If there is a spot where the water runs or pools, that is not where you want to put your party. If water runs down hill a tent isn’t going to change that problem. The water needs to run off the tent and away from the tent. Just remember high and dry makes a safe choice for your tented event.
If your event is in cold weather and you wish to heat your tent, it does no good to run the heat hours in advance. A tent will not retain heat or cooling, it will need to be heated or cooled the entire time of your event. If you have set-up time before the event then you must factor in that time spent under the tent as well, and plan for fuel enough for set up and the special event under the tent.
A frame tent can be set up on any surface, it does not need to be staked down. But for safety reasons we anchor all our tents, if you can not stake it out, then we use weights or tie to existing structures. A pole tent must be staked off to stand up. The pole tent can be set up on most surfaces, but you must be willing to stake or eyebolt it down, a pole tent will not stand without staking.
Tent curtains are separate from the tent top, sometimes referred to as the canopy. Canopy is just another term for tent top. You may just order the canopy top or add curtains to enclose the tent, both are options. You may choose to have just one tent curtain or wall on your tent, they are flexible and can be arranged in any configuration.
Be aware if a tent is set up on a lawn it may damage some of the ground surface. A tent set up over a lawn will not kill the grass, it may even grow more quickly, but where poles are set you will get some mashing down, depending on how moist the soil content is at the time of tent installation.
Attaching to a existing structure can be done, but you still may have water dripping between the tent and carport or other structure, we install a vinyl gutter when possible, but cannot guarantee that some moisture may leak between a tent and an existing building or structure.
If you have special needs or setup requirements it is advised to reserve well in advance, and either send a chart, or arrange for one of our experts to measure and evaluate your location.
In cases of severe weather Great American Tent advises you to leave the tent and take shelter in a safe place, treat it like a mobile home. A tent is a temporary structure and as such may come down in severe weather. We advise checking the weather service if it seems that severe weather may be coming into your area.
We will set the tent up a day in advance of your event, and in many instances setup is done several days in advance at no extra charge to the client. This applies to those who need to setup their own equipment or decorate. Just let us know what you need.
No question or detail is too small, if you don’t know for sure then ask. Great American Tent welcomes all inquiries and we enjoy helping our customers and non customers with tent information, whether your event is next week or a year from now. And yes we take reservations a year in advance, and you don’t have to worry about your equipment being there for you. We guarantee our reservations, and you can rest assured with Great American Tent you will have your tent and party needs met in a professional manner with over 30 years experience, you are in good hands.
