In the confusing world of weddings and event terminology, it can be hard to know what is what when it comes to tents and yurts - not to mention marquees and tipis... or is it tepees? We want to make it easy for you and give you the lowdown on what is what and which might suit your event best. This article will break down the terminology and explain each "tent" style, hopefully making it easy for you.
Photo: Binky Nixon Photography • Structures: The Duke Pole Marquee Venue: Woodland Hollow Weddings •
Tents.
noun:
a portable shelter made of cloth, supported by one or more poles and stretched tight by cords or loops attached to pegs driven into the ground.
This is obviously a very generic term and essentially all material structures can be considered a "tent".
We use this word a lot as we have a wide variety of styles, so in order to clump them all together before a client has decided on a particular style we will probably call them all tents.
Here at FM Tents we have: Yurts, Pole Marquees, Stretch Tents, Bell Tents and Traditional Tipis.
Yurts.
noun:
a circular tent of felt or skins on a collapsible framework, used by nomads in Mongolia, Siberia, and Turkey.
In the modern world of events Yurts, things have changed a little to accommodate a more temporary nature. Felt and skin have become canvas, some may even use synthetic fabrics. Ours are all natural canvas, treated to be waterproof and rot resistant.
On top of these changes in material here at FM Tents have two different styles of Yurt - the "Pavilion" style yurt and the more traditional shape yurt. So what is the difference? Well our Pavilion Yurts have an extra tier giving, what some call, a "wedding cake" appearance. We have these in either 40ft diameter or 34ft.
The Pavilion yurts have a fantastic feel to them when you're inside, cathedral like if you will. Our Yurts are made in the UK by the skilled crafts people at Yurt Maker. Using traditional techniques and local and sustainably sourced materials they produce, what we feel are the finest Yurts in the country.
Our 24ft yurt is in the more traditional style without the extra height.
Photo: Sam & Louise Wedding Photography • Structures: Grand Pavilion• Venue: Private home
Marquee.
noun:
mainly British a large tent used for social or commercial functions.
Again quite a generic term for differing styles of overall tent. The following are the main contenders for the Marquee title: Traditional, Pole, Sailcloth/Sperry, Clearspan/frame and Saddle span.
Others which can also fall within this category are Pagodas, Gazebos and Chinese Hats.
At FM Tents we have Pole Marquees manufactured within the UK. Our style of Pole Marquees are "Petal Pole" which denotes the arched roof canvas, giving a beautiful silhouette to the tents. These tents have the advantage of versatility and can be set up as a single pole, double pole, triple pole or quad pole. We have named ours The Lady, The Earl, The Duke and The Duchess to indicate the differing sizes. Essentially these are the same as a Sailcloth or Sperry tent as it just describes the shape of the tent with sweeping canvas and the peaks of the poles giving a similar feel to a mast with sails. Our Pole Marquees are canvas which give a beautifully light and airy feel when inside, however some may use PVC so it is always best to check with your supplier. In summer, PVC tents can be significantly hotter than those with breathable fabrics. PVC can be a great option for off-season events. We have a smaller Traditional Pole Marquee with windows in a decorative Indian style and ornate edge to the roof canvas - named The Jasmine.
Clear span or Frame marquees are built with semi-rigid frames for stability. The are more often than not from synthetic fabrics and usually have a steel or aluminium frame. Clear Span marquees provide sections which can continually be added to and give uninterrupted interior space due to their pole-free design. Their solid frames allow for various accessories, including doors, windows, rigid side panels, and advanced flooring systems. Clear Span marquees are ideal for those wanting the feel of a permanent structure with the flexibility of a marquee, making them perfect for all-weather events. They are the most common tent you will see at all large scale event such as County Show grounds or large corporate and commercial events. At FM Tents we have small versions of these which we use as catering tents.
Pagodas, Gazebos and Chinese Hats are usually smallish tents which can be joined together to make larger spaces. Pagodas and Chinese Hats have a characteristic of a tall pointed roof, making them a more interesting structure visually. At FM Tents we have a few Gazebos which again often get used as catering tents.
Photo: Sarah Anderson Photography • Structures: The Earl Pole Marquee • Venue: The Lakeside at Wild Berry Farm
Tipis or Tepees.
noun:
portable conical tent made of skins, cloth, or canvas on a frame of poles, used by North American Indians of the Plains and Great Lakes regions.
Giant Tipis have become very popular in recent years within the Wedding and Events world and along with this rise in popularity has come the generic use of to denote anything other than a traditional marquee.
A giant tipi or event tipi is a large, modern version of the traditional Native American tipi, specifically designed for use in events such as weddings, festivals, and corporate functions. While it maintains the iconic conical shape and structural simplicity of the original tipi, the giant tipi has been adapted to accommodate larger groups of people and offer more versatility for modern-day gatherings.
At FM Tents we don't have giant tipis, there are lots of great companies in local to us that provide these such as Tipis 4 Hire. We do have a traditional tipi however, which is actually how it all started so tipis/tepees are very dear to our hearts.
Our 18ft Tipi can be used for a variety of purposes:
Camping and Outdoor Retreats: The small canvas tipi is popular camping option, offering an alternative to traditional tents. Its unique design provides a cozy yet elegant camping experience. It is a great way to connect to nature and retreat or escape the modern world. Tipis are great spaces for relaxation, meditation, or even yoga. The natural materials and simple design promote a peaceful, grounding environment.
Decorative Elements at Events: Small tipis are often used as decorative or functional elements at weddings, festivals, and outdoor parties. They can serve as lounge spaces, children’s play areas, or intimate nooks for guests to relax in, adding a rustic, bohemian aesthetic.
Cultural and Educational Experiences: Tipis are sometimes used in educational settings or cultural events.
Garden Feature: In a modern home setting, a traditional tipi can be a unique addition to backyards or gardens, used as a playhouse for children or an alternative outdoor seating area. Different to a "wigwam" which is a domed - round shelter, constructed from a frame of wooden poles covered with materials like bark, grass, or hides, and typically used as a more permanent home compared to the portable tipi.
Photo: Supplied by Erica @URU • Structures: Traditional Tipi/Tepee • Venue: Campsite
Stretch tents.
verb:
[with object] cause (something) to become longer or wider by pulling it: stretch the elastic | small squares of canvas were stretched over the bamboo frame.
Stretch tents are a modern and versatile alternative to traditional event marquees. Made from a durable, weather-resistant stretch fabric, these tents can be shaped and stretched into various configurations, making them ideal a wide variety of events. Their flexibility in design and function makes them popular for weddings, festivals, corporate functions, and other events.
Some of their key features include:
Versatility in Design: Stretch tents can be customised to fit different spaces, terrains, and layouts. Their flexible structure allows them to be set up in unique shapes, unlike rigid frame marquees.
Aesthetic Appeal: With a sleek, flowing appearance, they create an elegant and contemporary look, making them a stylish choice for weddings and upscale events.
Weather Resistance: Made from waterproof and UV-resistant fabric, stretch tents can provide shelter from rain or sun, making them suitable for outdoor events in any season.
Open-Air Feel: Unlike traditional closed tents, stretch tents can have open sides, giving events a more airy, natural ambiance while still offering shade and protection.
Benefits in Weddings and Events:
Flexible Setups: Stretch tents can be customised to fit over gardens, terraces, uneven terrain, or buildings, adapting to unique venues.
Atmospheric Lighting: Their fabric lends itself to creative lighting setups, where the tent glows beautifully when illuminated, adding a magical touch to evening events.
Personalised Decor: The neutral canvas of the stretch tent complements various themes, whether bohemian, rustic, or modern, and can be adorned with flowers, drapery, or fairy lights.
Extra shelter: Smaller tents can be used as an add on - to provide extra shelter from the rain or provide shade on the hottest of summer days.
Overall, stretch tents offer a stylish, adaptable, and weather-resistant solution for creating memorable event spaces, especially suited for outdoor weddings, festivals, and elegant parties.
Photo: AD Wedding Photography • Structures: Stretch Tent• Venue: The Gardens at Polehanger • Styling and Management: White Button Weddings
Bell tents.
noun:
a cone-shaped tent supported by a central pole.
Bell tents are probably one of the most commonly misnamed and in our experience they are usually referred to as tipis/tepees. When clients are looking for a convenient accommodation option for weddings and events we often get asked to provide a tipi village. In fact the bell tent’s design is believed to have been inspired by nomadic tents such as the Yurt from Central Asia and the Tipi used by Indigenous peoples of North America. These other structures share the bell tent’s conical shape and circular floor plan, all designed to maximise space and create a stable, weather-resistant shelter.
The bell tent has a rich and diverse history, rooted in both military and nomadic traditions. Its simple yet functional design has been used for centuries, making it a time-tested structure for shelter, travel, and communal living.
On mass they look really quite stunning, it is probably down to the light canvas and uniform nature when all pitched perfectly in rows.
We like to provide a cost effective option for guests - now that said, it will never be as cheap as you may find a hotel room or airbnb stay, but it is quite a different beast logistically so can't really be compared. We have always provided a tiered levels of comfort to give guests booking in budget friendly options.
tents and yurts.
Unimportant: adjective:
lacking in importance or significance: trivial and unimportant details.
Ultimately it doesn't really matter what terms are used, tent or yurt, marquee or tipi. We do hope however, that we have been able to explain some of the differences within this article.
Whatever tent or yurt provider you choose to go with they should be able to guide you through all your different options so that you can find the tent or yurt to suit your event best.
The world of event yurts is fairly small in the UK and we can say hand on heart that all other suppliers we have encountered over the years are all great genuine people that do it for for the love that comes with working with natural and traditional craftsmanship.
Get in touch with us if you would like to know more about how we can help you at your special event.
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