How to Decorate a Wedding Tent on a Budget

According to Zola, the average wedding in 2025 is projected to cost around $36,000, and more than half of couples are expected to go over budget. With costs climbing every year, couples are finding creative, more affordable ways to celebrate, and outdoor weddings are leading the trend.

If you’re ready to cut costs without cutting corners, here’s how to decorate a wedding tent on a budget. 

Choose the Right Wedding Tent

The type of tent you have will define your layout, your decor options, your lighting, and the overall energy of your big day. You’ll want to consider the following before signing the rental contract: 

• Are you planning a seated banquet reception with long communal tables, or a cocktail-style celebration with space to roam? 

• Hybrid setups (like dinner on one side and dancing on the other) maximize space and keep the energy flowing all night long. 

• Grass, gravel, or concrete? The surface beneath your tent affects which structure works best. 

Once you know your layout and setting, it’s time to pick the tent that fits your vibe (and your budget): 

Establish a Theme

Your wedding theme is what ties every detail together. You don’t need anything elaborate to start, but a basic idea of how you want the day to feel will help you stay focused and within budget when you start decorating. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• A garden party with lush greenery, local flowers, and candlelight in mason jars. Layer in natural materials (wood, glass, linen), and string soft fairy lights above the tables for a glow that feels romantic. 

• A rustic backyard celebration with wooden signs, vintage barrels, and farm-fresh blooms tucked into secondhand vases. Add woven throws over chairs and a few mismatched lanterns to bring that “homegrown” comfort that feels genuine. 

• A touch of vintage glamour with sequined table runners, gold-rimmed glassware, and marquee bulbs glowing like an old Hollywood set. A few framed film stills or a mini red carpet can add just enough drama without overdoing it.  

Create Cozy and Inclusive Sections

Got your tent and your theme? Great! Now, you’ll want to section your tent into areas that serve different purposes while still blending together for a consistent flow. 

Seated Dining Area

Guests spend most of the night eating, talking, and refilling their drinks, so the dining area should be comfortable and easy to move through. Stick to these tips for a space that’s intentional yet still makes for a candid photo opportunity: 

• Long tables work well in narrow tents and make conversation easier, while round tables suit larger crowds who’ll be getting up more often. Leave space between tables so people can pass through without weaving. 

• Mix chairs, benches, and smaller tables to break up repetition and give the setup a more natural feel. It looks better in photos and makes the space feel less staged. 

• Keep decor simple and centerpieces below eye level so guests can talk across the table. A runner or layered linen adds contrast without clutter. Pair it with candles in glass jars, a few sprigs of greenery, or single-stem flowers tucked between plates. 

Standing Cocktail Zone

A cocktail area gives guests a place to mingle between dinner and dancing, so it should feel open and relaxed and allow guests to interact freely. You don’t need much to make it work: 

• Use tall bistro tables or old barrels as standing spots and top them with small votives or jars of wildflowers. 

• Hang lightweight fabric or string lights above to add whimsy and magic without expensive structures. 

• Add a few bean bag chairs or ottomans in the corners for guests who want to sit but stay part of the crowd. Our full faux fur convertible bean bag chair in cow pattern would look great next to rustic barrels and mason jars, for example. 

• Set up a DIY beverage station with mini prosecco bottles and paper straws or a mocktail table stocked with fresh herbs and flavored syrups. 

Dance Floor

Once dinner’s over, it’s time to cut loose on the dance floor. This is where you can find guests kicking off their shoes, the flower girl spinning until she’s dizzy, and all the classics pulling more and more people in. Here are a few pointers to make sure you and your guests stay dancing all night long: 

• Wood or bamboo floors feel timeless, add warmth, and absorb sound so the music doesn’t echo through the tent. 

• Acrylic or LED panels create a sleek, high-impact look and hold up well against heat or humidity. 

• Frame the area with paper lanterns or Edison bulbs to define the space and add a soft glow. 

• Keep the lighting low and warm so it feels relaxed but still lively once the music starts. 

Lounging Area

Every wedding needs a spot where people can catch their breath in between songs, while still being able to watch the action on the dance floor without missing out. Enter the lounge: 

• Mix bean bags, layered rugs, and soft throws for a cozy, informal feel. Use full or queen sizes for singles, king or giant for groups, and a youth size for a small kids’ corner. 

• Keep the palette neutral with a few accent tones from your wedding colors. 

• Add small side tables or poufs for candles, drinks, or extra seating. cordaroys’ poufs work great in between bean bags or scattered around the space. 

• Include small comforts like blanket baskets, flip-flop bins for when the shoes come off, or a Polaroid camera station. 

For an inviting anchor piece, try the full cloud convertible bean bag chair in cumulus, a bright, crisp white that stands out beautifully against wood tones, greenery, or soft lighting. Pair it with the XL terry corduroy throw blanket in navy for contrast that feels clean and elevated without clashing with your overall color scheme. 

How to Make a Wedding Tent Feel Magical

You don’t need a big budget to make a tent feel enchanting. Borrow decor from friends, browse secondhand marketplaces, or rent statement pieces to stretch your budget while keeping your setup personal. 

Use what’s already around you by framing trees, water, or sunsets through open tent sides instead of blocking them with backdrops. Hang soft fabric from the ceiling or weave string lights through ivory or blush drapery for a canopy effect that moves with the breeze. 

Flowers are unrivaled when it comes to decorating your wedding tent. Seasonal blooms like peonies, hydrangeas, and roses always feel timeless, but adding succulents or homegrown stems makes arrangements more personal. Pay attention to symbolism too. While roses are generally a symbol of love, some colors mean something else entirely, such as the yellow rose, which is a symbol of friendship, or even infidelity in some cases. 

Finish with lighting that transforms the mood after dark. Picture rows of Edison bulbs glowing over the dance floor or the twinkling glow of tea lights scattered across tables. Add a stunning chandelier or two for the kind of elegance that will leave your guests speechless or a canopy of fairy lights for a celebration beneath the stars. 

How to Design an Outdoor Reception Space

Don’t keep the party inside! Open one side to create a patio-like extension or an outdoor lounge where guests can get some air in between dances. A few small additions can make the space feel more comfortable:

• Lay temporary flooring or outdoor mats over grass to create a level surface for walking or dancing. 

• Add an outdoor bar or photo booth to keep people mingling between songs. 

• Set up a projector and screen to play a slideshow or the couple’s favorite movie as the night winds down. 

• Keep comfort in mind with citronella candles for bugs, fans or handheld misters for summer weddings, and blankets or heaters for chilly nights. 

When things wind down, cordaroys’ convertible bean bags make the perfect spot to cozy up under the stars with a blanket and your sweetheart. Plus, if a few guests need to stay the night, our chairs easily turn into beds so you’re not scrambling around on your wedding night trying to figure out accommodations for guests. 

Build the Perfect Setup for Your Perfect Day

A tented wedding gives couples a chance to enjoy a private celebration under an open sky. From the soft flicker of romantic candles to the elegance of dreamy flowers, every single detail turns a simple outdoor space into something stunning. 

At cordaroys, we believe it’s your happy place in any space, and your wedding shouldn’t be any exception. Our convertible bean bags, poufs, and throw blankets belong right in the mix, adding that laid-back comfort everyone loves. 

So, set the scene, light the candles, and give every guest a reason to want to stay a while. 

Sources: 

What Is the Average Cost of a U.S. Wedding in 2025? | Brides 

Understanding Traditional Wedding Flower Meanings | The Knot