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  1. Catering & Design
  2. Event Design & Decor

The Newest Tents for Outdoor Events

Gather your guests under these unique alternatives to the basic big top.

Ellen Sturm Niz
April 8, 2014

Here's a look at the coolest and newest temporary structures—from elaborate Moroccan-inspired tents to funky domes—for your upcoming open-air affairs.

Sperry Tents’ Signature Blue Star Tent is handcrafted with genuine navy sailcloth panels dotted with white stars by sailmakers in coastal Massachusetts. It sports geometric support patches and festive pennant flags atop each peak. Support poles are wooden and hand-milled at a 1930s sawmill. The tent is available in six sizes: The largest, at 46 by 85 feet, holds 150 guests for a seated dinner. Prices are available upon request.
Sperry Tents’ Signature Blue Star Tent is handcrafted with genuine navy sailcloth panels dotted with white stars by sailmakers in coastal Massachusetts. It sports geometric support patches and festive pennant flags atop each peak. Support poles are wooden and hand-milled at a 1930s sawmill. The tent is available in six sizes: The largest, at 46 by 85 feet, holds 150 guests for a seated dinner. Prices are available upon request.
Photo: Lauren Methia Photography
The Savannah Series Tents from Sperry Fabric Architecture are wooden-framed tents with cloth canopies and clerestory windows. The windows, above an adjacent roof, allow sunlight in during the day and indoor lighting to project out at night. The tents seat as many as 350 guests. The units are available for purchase in the United States through Sperry Fabric Architecture and licensed Sperry Tent providers; prices are available upon request.
The Savannah Series Tents from Sperry Fabric Architecture are wooden-framed tents with cloth canopies and clerestory windows. The windows, above an adjacent roof, allow sunlight in during the day and indoor lighting to project out at night. The tents seat as many as 350 guests. The units are available for purchase in the United States through Sperry Fabric Architecture and licensed Sperry Tent providers; prices are available upon request.
Photo: Courtesy of Zephyr Tents
The Double Decker Tent from Regal Tent can be topped with a flat-top façade (pictured), which hides the peak of the tent and creates a more boxlike shape, providing an area for customization. The structure can be built with glass, hard, or vinyl walls. The smallest size, at 50 by 16 feet, holds about 150; larger formats hold as many as 1,500. The tent is available for rent anywhere in North America and the Caribbean; prices vary.
The Double Decker Tent from Regal Tent can be topped with a flat-top façade (pictured), which hides the peak of the tent and creates a more boxlike shape, providing an area for customization. The structure can be built with glass, hard, or vinyl walls. The smallest size, at 50 by 16 feet, holds about 150; larger formats hold as many as 1,500. The tent is available for rent anywhere in North America and the Caribbean; prices vary.
Photo: Courtesy of Regal Tents
The Grand Marakesh from Raj Tents is a 27- by 44-foot Moroccan-theme tent that includes arches and silk string drops on all openings, a full lighting package, and furniture for 24 guests with low tables and area rugs. It has room for as many as 120 people and is available for rent throughout the United States for $9,950.
The Grand Marakesh from Raj Tents is a 27- by 44-foot Moroccan-theme tent that includes arches and silk string drops on all openings, a full lighting package, and furniture for 24 guests with low tables and area rugs. It has room for as many as 120 people and is available for rent throughout the United States for $9,950.
Photo: Courtesy of Raj Tents
The Flex Tent from the Flex Tent Company, a subsidiary of Event Labor Works, can be stretched around trees, structures, and rocks and has expandable tent poles that adjust to uneven surfaces. Sizes start at 20 by 10 feet and can increase to any size. As the tents are modular, they can be guttered together or with other structures to form larger spaces. Flex tents are available for rent or purchase in a variety of colors and designs. Prices are available upon request.
The Flex Tent from the Flex Tent Company, a subsidiary of Event Labor Works, can be stretched around trees, structures, and rocks and has expandable tent poles that adjust to uneven surfaces. Sizes start at 20 by 10 feet and can increase to any size. As the tents are modular, they can be guttered together or with other structures to form larger spaces. Flex tents are available for rent or purchase in a variety of colors and designs. Prices are available upon request.
Photo: Courtesy of Event Labor Works
The Jet tent from Classic Party Rentals is available in 16-, 32-, and 50-foot depths and custom lengths in 16-foot increments. It is available with clear, white, or custom colored fabric and accommodates large graphics. The tent is offered for rental or purchase throughout the United States; prices are available upon request.
The Jet tent from Classic Party Rentals is available in 16-, 32-, and 50-foot depths and custom lengths in 16-foot increments. It is available with clear, white, or custom colored fabric and accommodates large graphics. The tent is offered for rental or purchase throughout the United States; prices are available upon request.
Photo: Janis Davis
The safari-style Tipi Marquee tents from Under Canvas Events are canvas and wood structures that can be joined into custom configurations to seat 500 or hold 800 for receptions. Each marquee can accommodate a central open fire. Available throughout North America, the tents rent for $3,000 to $5,000 per marquee, based on the location and duration of the event.
The safari-style Tipi Marquee tents from Under Canvas Events are canvas and wood structures that can be joined into custom configurations to seat 500 or hold 800 for receptions. Each marquee can accommodate a central open fire. Available throughout North America, the tents rent for $3,000 to $5,000 per marquee, based on the location and duration of the event.
Photo: Ian Norman
The 24 Metre Trident Inflatable Dome from Brand Interactivation provides almost 4,000 square feet of floor space with no internal support poles or trussing and holds as many as 350 people. The unit is available for rent nationwide for $11,500 for three days, or it can be purchased for $70,000 and customized with colors and logos.
The 24 Metre Trident Inflatable Dome from Brand Interactivation provides almost 4,000 square feet of floor space with no internal support poles or trussing and holds as many as 350 people. The unit is available for rent nationwide for $11,500 for three days, or it can be purchased for $70,000 and customized with colors and logos.
Photo: Courtesy of Brand InterActivation Zone SRL
The Tidewater Sailcloth Tent from Aztec Tent is a highly translucent pole tent built with a catenary-accented perimeter and starburst design eave and peak reinforcements to give it a unique shape. The Tidewater ranges from 20 by 17 feet to 59 by 159 feet; depending on the configuration, it can hold as many as 700 people. It is available for rent in the United States from Tidewater Tents or for purchase from Aztec Tents. Prices are available upon request.
The Tidewater Sailcloth Tent from Aztec Tent is a highly translucent pole tent built with a catenary-accented perimeter and starburst design eave and peak reinforcements to give it a unique shape. The Tidewater ranges from 20 by 17 feet to 59 by 159 feet; depending on the configuration, it can hold as many as 700 people. It is available for rent in the United States from Tidewater Tents or for purchase from Aztec Tents. Prices are available upon request.
Photo: Kelli Boyd Photography
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The Savannah Series Tents from Sperry Fabric Architecture are wooden-framed tents with cloth canopies and clerestory windows. The windows, above an adjacent roof, allow sunlight in during the day and indoor lighting to project out at night. The tents seat as many as 350 guests. The units are available for purchase in the United States through Sperry Fabric Architecture and licensed Sperry Tent providers; prices are available upon request.
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