11 Ways to Decorate a Wedding Tent on a Budget
A wedding tent with guests dancing inside. Image by Aidan Hampson.
Planning a wedding is an exciting time. One of the first major decisions you’ll make is the venue. It’s where the magic of your ceremony and possibly reception will take place. If you dream of an outdoor wedding but are worried about taking the gamble due to weather, a wedding tent is the perfect choice for you!
Not only is a wedding tent a beautiful option for a wedding venue, but it can be cost effective, especially if you or someone you know has a piece of land you can place it on. So if you’re on a budget, this could be a great option for you.
Let's take a look at how to choose the right trend for your wedding and eleven ways to decorate it without breaking the bank.
Choosing the Right Tent
Before you can make your decoration plan, you need to choose the best tent for your event. Research tent vendors in your area so you know what’s available and how much set up/breakdown is going to cost on top of the tent rental. You may also need to rent land if you don’t already have the space to use.
Think about the type of tent you want for your event. Pole tents are the most affordable option. They offer coverage on the top, but not all models have panels on the side. They are also vulnerable to wind. Frame tents are sturdier, but more expensive to rent. They often come with roll down sides or thick siding with faux windows.
No matter which trend option you choose, select one that has open or clear sides so you can utilize the natural beauty of the area you select as a stunning backdrop. Much like decorating a wedding gazebo, this will save you on outdoor decor costs and help set the vibe of the wedding.
Making an Entrance: Entryway Decorations
An outdoor wedding tent with greenery and lanterns. Image by Elegant Wedding Invites.
When your guests arrive, the entryway will be the first thing they see. So it’s important to take the time to plan so you make a big statement!
You can decorate a wedding arch for them to walk through and enter the tent. You can use flowers or wedding arch-style draped fabric for maximum impact. You can also add flower petals, lanterns, and other accents that match your wedding theme.
Another important decoration to consider is signage. You can easily DIY welcome and directional signs so that your guests know exactly where they need to go!
2. Ceiling Decorations
String flowers hanging from a wedding tent ceiling. Image by Something Turquoise.
Ceiling drapery is some of the highest impact/low cost decor you can do! Many overlook this crucial space, but it can be truly magical when guests gaze up and see cascading fabric, glowing paper lanterns, or twinkling fairy lights hanging down from the rafters.
If you go the fabric route, choose a lightweight fabric like tulle or organza that drapes well. You can create a dramatic effect by draping from the center or straight across your tent. Be sure to consider the measurements of the tend and calculate how much fabric you will need.
Not a fan of drapery? Fairy lights, flower chains, or paper lanterns are low cost alternatives that will elevate the ambiance of your tend without a hefty price tag.
3. Disguising Support Beams
While the structural elements of any trend are essential, they aren’t pretty to look at! So you’ll need to get creative to help guests forget they are in a tent.
Transport them to a fairytale land by draping and wrapping faux greenery from the rafters. You can also use fabric to disguise these poles. Whatever you use, confirm that it will not compromise the integrity of the structure. Hang too much from the support beams and your whole tent could come crashing down before you cut the cake!
4. Furniture and Seating
Seating and tables are a must so your guests have a place to rest in between songs and eat their meals. Since you’ll be filling your tent with portable tables and folding chairs, you must cover them to achieve the look you’re going for.
Use chair sashes and cushion covers in your wedding colors to cover any unsightly tables and chairs. This is a cost effective way to enhance your seating arrangement and create a cohesive event space.
5. Lighting Magic
A wedding table with flowers and ambient lighting. Image by Elegant Wedding Invites.
Mood lighting is an extremely affordable way to create a magical evening atmosphere. Tea lights, LED projectors, paper lanterns, and fairy lights are just a few options you can use to make the space look inviting and romantic
You can string lights along the ceiling of your tent and place lighting elements on each table to spread out the comforting glow. You can get inexpensive glass vases and fill them with fairy lights to create DIY lanterns that will give you the vibe you’re looking for.
6. Rustic Charm
The rustic wedding trend is still going strong and the perfect fit for an outdoor tent wedding. Embrace the trend with inexpensive decor items like barrels, mason jars, and thrifted furniture.
You can even place hay bales covered in blankets around a portable fire pit so you and your guests can enjoy a bonfire as the evening winds down. It’s the perfect way to make connections with your loved one and add another memorable moment to your special day.
7. Focal Points and Accents
If there’s room in your budget, it’s worth it to invest in statement pieces that will make a big impact in your wedding tent. You can thrift chandeliers if you are looking for an elegant vibe. Even if they don’t light up, you can balance LED tea lights on them to bring a warm glow.
Large letters in you and your honey’s initials would be great for a rustic or artistic theme. You can also thrift mismatched dishes, glasses, and silverware to build a garden party aesthetic. No matter what your theme is, investing in eye-catching accents will really elevent your wedding tent.
8. Floral and Natural Elements
Flowers aren’t just beautiful, they are an affordable way to add beauty to your wedding tent. Large floral centerpieces can be pricey, so look for other ways to incorporate florals.
You can sprinkle petals as table decor. You can also make minimalist centerpieces on a budget by mixing lots of greenery with a few floral accents to match your bouquet. Pampas grass, succulents, and potted plants are also great ways to add greenery and nature to your wedding trend without breaking the bank.
9. The Sweetheart Table
A bride and groom kissing at their sweetheart table. Image by Victoria Clausen Floral Events.
Sweetheart tables are small, intimate seating arrangements just for the bride and groom! You’ll want to make this area stand out and look good in photos, so it’s important to get the decor just right.
To stay on budget, you can choose a colored tablecloth to stand out against the white ones on the guest tables. You can also use unique table settings and decor accents around the perimeter of the table. Make sure all aspects highlight you and your spouse! Avoid putting anything high on the table that may block you in photos.
10. Creative Station Pieces
Keep your guests entertained by offering fun stations they can use during the event. Offer fun themed prompts at a selfie station. You can easily DIY a fun, on-theme backdrop using balloons or a beautiful piece of fabric. Check to see if you or a loved one has the supplies to create a fun background.
If you want to host a photo booth instead, you can use an iPad to set up a photo booth and get a set of photos from your guests at the same time! You can then print those out and send them in thank you notes as a fun, unexpected favor.
Highlight the trend of selfie stations or photo booths as a fun guest activity, offering DIY tips for creating one on a budget
11. Dance Floor Ideas
A bride and groom dancing on the dance floor. Image by Elegant Quill Wedding Logos.
In order to dance the night away, you’ll need a designated dance floor for you and your guests to show off your moves. Upgrade the dancefloor with tufted rugs or colored vinyl squares. This will show guests where they can dance and give the DJ a home base.
You can also easily DIY custom lighting by using an inexpensive LED spotlight and a cut out of a fun design. You can make one using a Cricut or craft knife. You can do initials or a design that reflects your wedding theme.
Once you put the cut out on the spotlight, you can make a custom projection on the dance floor! This will look extremely expensive and make for a fun addition to your special day!