It’s almost graduation season, which means now is the time to begin planning that big party. But don’t stress! Tent Guys is here to help you. Incorporating tents and the like into your graduation party can do more than protect you and those you are with from the elements. Tent Guys will help keep your special day organized, classy, and enjoyable.

Often times, when tents are mentioned people picture a simple pop-up tent or cheap fabric on stilts then begin to wonder how such a device could make any event better. But at Tent Guys, we have tents that create rooms and atmospheres to celebrate special moments in. And, best of all, our tents are able to withstand the elements and can be decorated and morphed and moved to fit your exact needs. Let’s have a look at how our tents can drastically benefit your next graduation party, whether it’s meant to be formal or some simple backyard fun.

Outdoor Parties

As the weather gets nicer, people like to spend more time outside. Come graduation season in the Carolina’s, the weather will be at its peak before getting hot and humid, so don’t be afraid to take advantage of the outdoors—planning an outdoor graduation party may seem a little daunting at first, but a little help from us is all you will need.

Organizing a graduation party can be a lot of work, as there’s a lot to cover. You have to think about how many families will attend, what activities are planned, what about food, will there be a full meal and servers to help with cleanup? Adding tents to the mix can only aid in a situation like this, as the more organized you are, the better off everyone will be. Here are four reasons for incorporating tents into your party is a good idea:

1. Less Stress. Predicting the weather doesn’t always work out, and having tents set up can save the day if rain makes an appearance. But tents are also a wonderful way to give an opportunity for attendees to get out of the sun if it is a warm, spring day, and they also provide designated areas where people can sit and talk.

Tents also reduce stress because they can help separate groups. You can have a tent full of toys and games reserved just for the kids; another for food and drinks; maybe a third with tables and chairs for those who want a little cover as they sit and relax.

2. It can be more comfortable sitting in a luxury tent than in the elements, but tents can also be decorated and positioned to provide extreme convenience. You can open a window to generate a breeze, sit and relax, maybe even lounge. Ever seen a hammock inside a tent? We can make that happen.
3. We can even take this idea of comfort a bit further by adding lights and decorations. We like to set up a “selfie wall” where guests can take funny photos to post and remember your party by. You will definitely want a wall of photos displaying the graduate’s big moments. Another idea is to bring out a few Bluetooth speakers and have them positioned in separate areas with comforting music playing.

You can even decorate the exterior of the tent by hanging wreaths or signs, even more lighting. A great thing about adding tents to your graduation party is just how versatile they truly are.

4. For a family get together, throwing a few blankets on the ground works just about anywhere, but throwing a party requires much more planning. Tents provide the required privacy for such an event by strategically separating you and your guests from other groups or individuals who happen to be in the same public area (if you are not having the party in your own yard).

Moreover, even if your graduation party is on your own property, having tents set up presents your party as a true event. This way there aren’t people simply scattered about, talking and walking around aimlessly. With tents, there is an obvious atmosphere depicting forethought and precise planning—a great way to wow your attendants.

Getting Started

As with most things in life, planning ahead is crucial to creating a great party. Begin by deciding how many and what types of tents you want. This step is easy, as all you need to do is contact us. We can provide you with a variety of options to choose from, and we are happy to offer suggestions for what we think will work best for your particular situation.

Next, make a guest list and send out invitations as soon as possible to ensure all have marked their calendars. It’s usually best practice to send out invitations eight weeks prior to the event. Once you have a guest list it will be easier for you to determine a budget for the party. Here is where most of your cost will come from:

• Rental equipment—Tent Guys is known for great pricing, so this won’t break the bank.
• Food—if this gets too expensive, consider having a smaller meal like finger foods or only a dessert.
• Decorations—Tent Guys can help you here as well, and the prices are minimal.
• Invitations—don’t feel as though you need to spend top dollar here. Most everyone will end up throwing these in the recycle bin, so waste your money on expensive card stock.

Next comes the exciting stuff—theme and color scheme. Though most parents choose to go with the colors of the school their child is graduating from, the theme and colors are completely up to you. It might be a good idea to ask the graduate what he or she would like, this way you both are involved in planning this momentous occasion.

Planning the Perfect Party

In order to move forward in the planning process, we suggest following these guidelines:

• Have plenty of tables set up for guest seating (nobody likes to stand and eat). Tent Guys has round and rectangular tables that can be strategically placed around your yard and inside of tents.
• As for tents, we typically recommend 20×20 and/or 20×30 framed tents. The 20×20 can comfortably fit up to forty people, while a 20×30 can easily accommodate up to sixty people. We usually rent out 20×20 and the 20×30 tents for graduation parties because these types of get-togethers are usually set up to be similar to open houses where people are in and out and able to linger.
• Add pipe and drape to create an atmosphere—but more on these in a bit.
• If it’s in the budget, meet and choose a caterer well in advance. If you would rather take care of the food yourself, be sure to plan ahead on what you will serve. It might be a good idea to rent bowls and trays and plates and utensils and anything else you might need so you don’t have to worry about using your own.

Class it Up With Pipe and Drape

At Tent Guys, we love working with pipe and drape. We love the versatility of it, the ease of setting it up, and the quality look it provides. As we work with pipe and drape more and more, we have a few pieces of insight when using them for parties:

1. It is tempting to focus solely on the look and feel pipe and drape provide, but it’s just as important to consider safety. Too many times people have tried incorporating candles, or lighted bulbs that heat to extreme temperatures, and you can guess the result. Always be cognizant of all safety hazards. Be sure not to position anything with a flame close to the drapery. And the same goes for electric lights—take a minute to check that the wattage is not too high. Most lampshades have a maximum wattage allowance, and it’s a good idea to stick to the lowest as possible, especially if the bulb is in contact with any kind of fabric. (Here’s a great idea: use flame-resistant fabric in order to eliminate any chance of a fire.)
2. When setting up the perfect graduation party, be sure not to position your pipe and drape so it can be seen by everyone. Take the time to strategically position everything. This is a chance to show off your yard and party-planning skills!
3. Get to know the different types of drapes you can use—there are tons! The colors you want to use may be an easy decision, but have you thought about the level of sheen in your cloth? What about using a drape with an open weave? Which type of material is best for your occasion, cotton, polyester? Of course, these are things we will help you decide, but in the meantime, here is a quick list of just a few fabric types:

• Banjo Drapes: this type of drape has a medium sheen and features an open weave (strong, yet sheer fabric). The cloth itself is inherently flame retardant and is usually used for corporate events and trade shows, but they can be used for just about any event.
• Premier Drapes: premier offers a bit more class and are most commonly used as curtains for a school, business, banquet hall, or church. These are also inherently flame retardant.
• Commando Drapes: mostly only available in black, this drape is perfect for economical privacy drapes, blocking out 99% of light when backlit. Commando drapes feel similar to suede and are usually used for dressing rooms or conditions needing to be blacked out.
• Velour Drapes: velour drapes are the most flame retardant of the bunch and come in polyester. We usually see these used for VIP events and theatrical performances, but they can really be used for anything—even graduation parties.

Tent Guys can’t wait to help you plan and set up your graduation party. Contact us today to get a price list and an idea of what will work best for you.