Month: October 2014

Event tents are like portable venues, which you can situate in pretty much any location where there is enough space. They allow you to have the most amazing outdoor weddings, memorable corporate events, fundraisers and galas – all with the great outdoors right at your fingertips.

However, any outdoor event is bound to come up against one unpredictable and undefeatable opponent – the great British weather. Of course, event tents do provide much-needed shelter and protection against the elements. But while they do keep the chill out and the rain off, they can get a little bit nippy in winter without the right heating.

Here are 5 useful tips for heating an outdoor temporary structure like a SaddleSpan event tent:

1. Get expert advice. There are companies which specialise in heating for event tents and other outdoor venues, and you’ll also find that suppliers of event tents like the team at Amazing Tents can also offer some advice and point you in the right direction.

1. Choose equipment that is fit for purpose. There are lots of types of heaters for tents and marquees, from ducted and infrared heaters to fan heaters. You need to choose one that is suitable for heating large spaces efficiently and evenly, whilst also being safe, within budget and suitable for outdoors.  For example, small patio heaters won’t be powerful enough to heat a large marquee, whilst anything involving open flames is unsuitable for a tent unless it is designed for this purpose or is installed and managed by an expert.

1. Heat your tent before your guests arrive. You need to get your event tent to a comfortable temperature before your guests arrive, so that it is pleasant inside the tent when the event starts. It takes a while in these large spaces to bring the temperature up to a comfortable level, so start early if you want to be ready for your first guests.

1. Don’t forget about the entrance. Making your guests feel warm and welcome the second they step inside your event tent is crucial, so consider a fan heater directed at the door (just like shops use over their entrances). It isn’t the most efficient heating method, as all the heat is directed towards the outside, but it will make a more welcoming first impression for your guests.

1. Take safety seriously. Heating equipment and tents can be a bad mix if you don’t know what you’re doing and you ignore all the safety rules. These include ensuring that nothing (including the walls of the tent) is touching the heater, that flammable materials are kept away from heat sources and that all electrical equipment is properly maintained and set up. You also need to include heating equipment in your general health and safety risk assessment for the event, bearing in mind that there are different risks to combat in an event tent compared to a standard building.

There are lots of venues in which you can hold a party, but those looking for a more memorable and unique experience are bored with town halls, studio spaces and hotel function rooms. If you want something different, why not hold your party in a SaddleSpan event tent?

If you need convincing, here are 4 excellent reasons why the SaddleSpan is the ultimate party venue:

1.     You can put it virtually anywhere

All you really need to have a SaddleSpan tent for your party is enough space and the right to use it. Event tents can be erected in a wide range of different locations, from car parks and large gardens to fields and even the grounds of stately homes. Before you hire a SaddleSpan for your party, find out how much space you have to work with and this will allow you to choose the right tent. Remember to leave a little space for the people who will actually set up your tent, and for any extra equipment you might need, and make sure there is access for vehicles on your site.

2.     It’s modular, so you can change its shape

Unlike a building, the shape and layout of a SaddleSpan tent can be completely customised to suit you. This means that you can choose how you’d like the space to work and even create ‘zones’ within one space – for example, you can create a bar area, a dance floor, a chillout space and a buffet area all in one tent. All you need to do is choose a basic model and find out about the different ways it can be configured. To discuss your ideas and see if they’re feasible, speak to a SaddleSpan expert at Amazing Tents for some expert advice.

3.     It has all the space you need

Buildings often have very restrictive limits to the number of people they can hold, due to fire and other safety regulations. Event tents do have a maximum capacity, but as they are large and sited outdoors, the upper limit of partygoers they can hold is much greater. Having all this space means there is no limit on how big you can go with your bash, making the SaddleSpan perfect for memorable, once-in-a-lifetime celebrations.

4.     It is easy to decorate and customise

With such a large space inside a SaddleSpan, you might think that you’ll have trouble decorating and furnishing it all. It’s actually quite simple to hang banners, lay down click-together flooring, rig lighting (which can also be used to decorate the walls) and sound systems and even screen films and videos on the wall of the tent. The only expensive bit will be installing a bar, although you can go as elaborate or as simple as you like with this.

For some parties, it can be best to keep things simple with decoration. In summer, for example, you can leave the floor as grass, open up the doors of the tent, install a great sound system and get everyone dancing in the sunshine and fresh air. You can even ask a band to play, making it just like your very own festival.