Introduction to Tents

Hi everyone, welcome back! Today we are talking about a very big passion of ours here at SOHO, tents. When it comes to event tents there are many options, so we thought it would be helpful to break down the different types of tents and give y’all just a little bit of information about each one. The first thing you should understand is that our tents fall into certain categories based on their build and structure. The three categories of tents we work with at SOHO; pole tents, frame tents, and engineered structure tents.

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So let's start with a pole tent. As you probably guessed, these tents are named this because they are supported by poles on the perimeter of the tent as well as in the center. They are secured through the use of stakes in the ground and ratchet straps that tension the tent tops as they are tightened. The tent tops are laced together to create a full canopy. There are different ways to secure different tents, but a pole tent requires the use of stakes. This means you are limited in where you place these tents as they must be staked into the ground. Because these tents are supported by the center poles, you can go larger than a frame tent. Pole tents have a lot of character and style, like high peaks and flags. Our favorite pole tent here at SOHO is the sailcloth tent. They have natural wood poles and give off a beautiful glow when lit up at night!

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Next is the frame tent. This tent is the type most of y’all are familiar with from events you've attended, such as; Arts & Crafts, Mardi Gras, or festivals. These white vinyl tents are supported only by perimeter poles with no poles in the center. The frame is assembled and then the tent top is placed on top of the frame and secured to the frame. Because of this, frame tents are limited in size to a maximum of 50’ wide. With a frame tent you have two options for securing; stakes or concrete. If we are unable to stake your frame tent to secure it, we will then use concrete blocks. The size of the tent will determine how much weight is required to safely secure the tent. A perk of the frame tent is that it is a very open layout with lots of room to work with since there are no center poles to contend with. Because of this, these tents are used in a variety of environments for a multitude of events.

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The final tent type we work with at SOHO is an engineered structure tent. These tents are supported by perimeter poles with no need for center poles or extra supports. This allows for a clean looking event space. Losberger tents are the structure tents we work with. The tops of these tents are attached through the use of keder tracks, allowing them to easily slide in and be pulled into place. With the use of keder tops this helps give a very tight fit to help keep the elements out of your event. These tents are professionally certified by an engineer to be structurally sound and safe. They are able to handle weather, such as heavy rain, snow, and they are even wind rated up to 100+mph. Because of this, these tents are often put up for extended periods of time. You can get these tents tops in clear, all white, or a mix of clear and white tops. This gives you flexibility of style when you are designing your event. A factor to keep in mind is that the clear tops can get hot during warmer months. The combination of the Losberger tents strength and safety as well as style flexibility make it an extremely versatile tent, and one of our favorites!

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We hope that this general overview of our types of tents has helped you understand a little more about them and will aid you in deciding which type of tent is best for your event. If you have any questions, we would be happy to answer them!

Until next time, cheers!

Weather Worries

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Hey y’all, welcome back! Today's topic is one that can cause stress on anyone planning an out event. You guessed it... weather. Due to its unpredictable nature, weather can be difficult to plan for. Because of this, event professionals have adapted and created what the industry refers to as a “weather backup plan”.

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No matter where your event is located geographically, you will need to take the weather into consideration when planning your outdoor event. Here in the South, our weather is especially unpredictable. We contend with heat, humidity, and thunderstorms. These weather conditions are heightened in the spring and summer months. If you are planning an event during the fall or winter seasons, you will need to consider cold temperatures and the potential for rain.

Our goal at SOHO is to assist you in developing a weather backup plan from the very beginning that still works with the vision for the event. Once we have an idea of your vision for your special event and the details of when and where it will be held, we will discuss the potential need for a weather backup plan. The first step is to understand your different tenting options. We have the largest tent inventory on the Gulf Coast and pride ourselves on having a variety of different options and sizes when it comes to tenting! We understand the importance of keeping your event design intact, even if you decide to move forward with your weather backup plan. 

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Once you have selected your tent option, we will walk you through other potential rentals you may need when considering different weather factors. Again, the location and season of your event will influence these selections. These could be numerous options including: sidewalls, gutters, lighting, draping, walkways, heaters, fans, or even thermostat controlled heating or cooling.

Until next time, Cheers!

Table Talk

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Hey y’all and welcome back! Here at SOHO, we carry many different types of tables, including acrylic dining tables, communal tables, farm tables, farm table bistros, and many more! Whether traditional guest seating or more cocktail style, chances are you will see one of these tables at an event of any size! 

Let's start with our acrylic dining tables. These acrylic tables are 8’ in length, giving you plenty of room to seat 8 to 10 guests. The width is 42”, giving great space for place settings and centerpieces. The clean lines give it a modern feel with an element of glam! This table pairs beautifully with our louis pop chair or ghost chair. This specialty table can also be customized for your specific event. Your options for customization are endless!

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You can find the next table at almost any wedding or social event. Bistros are a popular table because they are smaller and can be placed strategically to provide additional surfaces places for your guests to “perch”. You will often find these tables near the dancefloor or bar as they are great for socialization and mingling for your guests. Using solid or patterned linen on your bistro tables is a fun way to make them stand out and bring together your event design!

Another great option is our white wood communal table. It is 8’ in length so it can be used as additional guest seating without having to use a standard banquet table and chairs. The table height is the same as that of a bistro table, 42”, allowing you to incorporate barstool seating. These tables look great framing a dancefloor or along the perimeter of your event space! 

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Let’s talk about farm tables! These wooden tables are very popular among our brides and clients looking for a specialty table versus a table with linen. Available in four sizes; square 36”x36”, 6’ rectangle, 7’ rectangle, and an 8’ rectangle. We are certain you will be able to find a size that is perfect for your table needs.

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We love to see the farm tables at events of any size, from small dinner parties to large weddings! Farm tables are a beautiful option for guest seating. You can even mix them in with tables with linen! The wood texture and rich stain bring warmth to the design of your event. Pairs nicely with our oakwood crossback chairs and upholstered louis chairs.

We have a large table inventory and many different tables options to chose from when planning your event! As always, if you are in need of rentals for any event, reach out to us! We would love to work with you! Cheers!

4th of July Tablescape

Here in South Alabama things are beginning to open back up and we are all looking forward to safely spending time with our family and friends for the upcoming 4th of July Holiday. In the spirit of celebration, we have put together a fun 4th of July backyard BBQ tablescape!

We started our design with a beautiful farm table with coordinating crossback chairs, bringing in texture and warmth to our tablescape. We chose a traditional red, white and blue color scheme for our linens, playing off the 4th of July theme. We love the combination of our red and white check napkin with a royal polyester runner!

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Keeping it simple and classic, we decided to pair our white square dinner and salad plates with our copper flatware. Next up, glassware! Glassware is important when completing your place setting! Think about what beverages will be served: water, wine, beer or cocktails? The collins glass is very versatile. It can be used as a water/ tea glass or even for mixed drinks! The bordeaux wine glass is a beautiful option when serving wine and our smoke beaded glass is a fun option for your mixed drink or cocktail!

Next, the finishing touches! You may have small decor items around your home to incorporate with your rental items! We chose a few votives, small American flags and a flag banner to tie everything together. You likely have similar elements that could complete your tablescape. Another fun and functional idea is to take galvanized buckets and add some sand and sparklers. This is supper fun for the kids and adults, too!

Head over to our Instagram to view our IGTV where we walk you through our setup! We hope this inspires your tablescape for your upcoming Summer parties! We can’t wait to work with you! Cheers!

IGTV Link: https://www.instagram.com/eventswithsoho/channel/?hl=en