All posts tagged Philadelphia Tenting Companies

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Don’t Forget, Tents Also Provide Shade on Hot Summer Days

Written by EventQuip on April 4, 2012 in Equipment, Tenting Tips, Weddings - No Comments

Just outside of Philadelphia lies one of the most picturesque event venues available for outdoor tented parties: Appleford Estate. Dating back more than 300 years, this gentleman’s farm is surrounded by 24 of the most exquisite gardens any bride could hope to find for her outdoor wedding.  Originally part of a land grant from William Penn, Appleford is carefully maintained today as a working arboretum and bird sanctuary.  Tucked into the trees and surrounded by babbling brooks and waterfalls, there’s usually no worry when it comes to heat and shade. Yet, every so often, Mother Nature delivers one of her horrendously hot Summer days and the usually cool gardens need a little extra help.

Tented Events Main Line Outdoor Party Venues EventQuip

Even though the semi-permanent tent we had custom-built for Appleford’s wrap-around flagstone terrace was firmly in place for the wedding season, more tents were required to ensure the guests’ comfort on this particular steamy July day. We installed additional tents in the gardens and over the patios adjacent to the main terrace as protection from both the scorching sun. Ceiling and pole fans were installed everywhere we could attach them to keep the air moving throughout the party.

Tents Provide Shade Outdoor Wedding Venues Philadelphia EventQuip

At EventQuip, we pride ourselves on providing real solutions to, what can be, serious party busting issues. Most event planners think of rain and cold as the main reasons tents are needed. Yet, our experienced tent specialists know that the need for shade is just as important, if not more so. Yet again, our last minute climate control measures, as simple as they were, managed to save the day!

Orange Garden Flowers for Weddings Outdoor Events Tented Parties

{Photos: Stacey Kane, Decor by Evantine Design}

 

Even a Harmonica-playing Elephant Deserves its Own Circus Tent

Written by EventQuip on February 22, 2012 in Corporate Events - No Comments

Ringling Brothers Circus Tent for Elephants EventQuip

Okay, we have to admit, we do get asked for a “circus type” tent every so often. But last week, it was the real deal. We provided a tent for the Ringling Brothers Circus that was installed exclusively for an elephant who not only paints pictures, but also plays the harmonica. Now that’s talent!

 

 

Tenting Over a Pool Requires VERY Careful Planning for this Main Line Philadelphia Wedding

Written by EventQuip on October 10, 2011 in Equipment, Tenting Tips, Weddings - No Comments

For many, the idea of hosting a large tented event in their backyard seems impossible. The useable area is too small, there’s fencing or landscaping on all sides, the neighbors’ homes are too close, or, as in this case, there’s a swimming pool right smack in the middle.  Have no fear!  Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to turn challenging logistics such as these into sensational entertaining!  For instance, for a recent outdoor wedding celebration at a private home in the Main Line suburb of Bryn Mawr, we built a tent right on top of the homeowner’s existing pool.  Right on top!

As with every tent installation, our Tent Specialists must first perform a thorough site-evaluation of the property to determine the build’s parameters and safety considerations.  The first site evaluation for this event took place on a snow-covered Winter’s day where the entire backyard and pool were covered in several feet of freshly fallen snow.  A couple months later, when Spring returned to melt the snow, our team was able to investigate the pool area in further detail.  All of our careful (and patient) planning proved invaluable this past September when we started the actual tent installation.

Before we can raise the tent we must first build the floor over the pool.  The team systematically covered the entire pool area — the pool itself as well as the surrounding patios — with an intricately layered design of metal beams, sub-flooring and polished hardwood. Once laid out, as if you were installing a hardwood floor in your home, our in-house carpenters cut the edges of the flooring panels to conform exactly to the shape of the area.  This allowed us to provide as much square footage as possible, but also the oval and softly rounded shape was pleasing to look at from a design perspective.

On top of the wooden deck we installed a 30 x 50 white pole tent with ambient lighting as well as colorful paper lanterns.  Add crisp white linens tablecloths, natural wood folding chairs, round dinner tables, colorful table settings, and bright floral arrangements and you have the perfect backyard celebration!

All About Tents and the Importance of the On-site Walk-Through for Outdoor Events

Written by EventQuip on September 12, 2011 in Equipment, News & Updates, Tenting Tips, Weddings - No Comments

The importance of a site inspection or walk-through of the property to be tented is crucial to the success of the event.  One of our tent specialists will accompany the client, as well as their wedding planner and/or event designer on a comprehensive tour of the grounds to envision how the event will unfold.  Although specifications are not final and will likely morph and change as the planning process continues, at least every logistical challenge is reviewed and processed to ensure an accurate plan and project cost is submitted on the event.  At EventQuip, we believe in knowing as much party planning detail up front as possible.  That, in turn, enables our sales team to provide the client or event planner with the appropriate information and guidance to allow them to make the best decisions for the party.

So grab your note pad, pen and camera and let’s go!  We’ll walk the area with you as the guests would experience the event to uncover all possible concerns/issues along the way, such as:

  • In what manner will the guests arrive?  their own car?  by bus? is there space for cars to pass each other? do we need to provide a tent and/or marquee walkway that gives the guests coverage from rain as they depart their vehicles?  is light needed in these areas to help guests at the end of the night?
  • Where will guests first touch the ground? Is the ground level and hard? or are porta-pathways or custom-built stairs needed to allow guests a safe entrance-way?
  • Are there any disabled guests that would require a ramp for entrance to the event?
  • Where will the party, wedding or event take place?  on an existing terrace? on the lawn? in a field? on a tennis court? in a parking lot? over a pool?
  • Will the event take place on the grass/ground as is? or will a subfloor be needed to level off the floor and offer protection from soggy terrain?
  • Is it a seated dinner? a cocktail style event? will there be food stations, buffets or bars?
  • Is there a lounge area that needs to be placed under the tent? or just outside the tent?
  • Where will the entertainment be placed? do you know how much space they will need? is a green room tent required?
  • Will there be dancing? is a dance floor needed and if so, where will it be placed?
  • Where will your food vendor or caterer set up their kitchen or kitchens?  What is needed for them:  water, power, equipment, trash, lighting? does this are need to be floored?
  • Is there an after-party?  Where do you envision this happening?  Do you want to rent a separate tent for it or reuse one already installed?
  • What restrooms will guests use during all portions of the event? Are portable restrooms needed?  is there easy accessible water or is a self-contained restroom trailer required? is a tent needed to hide the potties?
  • Are there any “ugly” spots or eye-sores that need to be hidden or disguised; such as septic tanks, A/C units, old sheds, etcetera.?
  • Does the landscaping company or gardener need to be consulted on decorative improvements before the tent installation begins?
  • Are there landscaping issues that need to be addressed prior to tent installation? such as tree branches overhanging the access road, or where the tent will be installed, or irrigation systems buried in the lawn, etc.
  • How much power is available on-site?  Are generators needed?  How many and where will they be placed?
  • Is there a concern for climate/temperature control?  meaning, will heaters, fans or air-conditioning units be needed?
  • Where will the water go? What are the additional severe weather control measures in place at the site?  tent sides around the tents?  gutters?  additional marquees and tents set aside?
  • Bug off! Will professional pesticides be needed to control the mosquitos in the event area?
  • Are there any domestic pets that need to be secured away from the noise and construction area for the animal’s safety? (as well as the workers)
  • What is the access to the site?  How will that impact or correspond to the setup time required?
  • For access during inclement weather, will road ply be needed to prevent turf damage and work disruption?
  • Where will all event staff and crew members be permitted to park their cars, trucks and vehicles while they install tents?  Can heavier machines be placed in a safe area near the site?
  • When does everything have to be removed and cleaned up?
  • Where will garbage and trash be taken during the installation, while the party takes place and after the event is over?  is a dumpter needed on property? and will it need to be hidden in a tent?

For more information and tenting tips take a look at our post on Tenting at Home.  Otherwise, our Tent Specialists would be happy to schedule an on-site walk-through at your home or event venue to best evaluate the rental equipment needed for your next party.  215-368-6700.