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Massachusetts-Cape Cod
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Renting a House for a Tented Wedding

kasunikekasunike
First Comment
in Massachusetts-Cape Cod
My idea is to get married on a private beach on the grounds of a rented house and have the reception in the yard with a tent.  I am newly engaged and have just started the search and I have been reading some of the posts on this board, but so far haven't gotten much color on the situation. Is/Has anyone gone down this path?  How did it work out?  Who did you use to find the house?  I have tried homeaway.com and it is a good source, but haven't found what I am looking for yet.  Any advice or comment is appreciated.  Thanks.
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Re: Renting a House for a Tented Wedding

  • Soon2BaMrsDSoon2BaMrsD member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I think most people start with the same idea... I know I did. Then the reality of things like homeowners requiring a full week rental (the few who are actually willing to let a wedding happen on their property due to insurance, neighbors, etc), rentals that run Saturday-Saturday, making it hard to have a Saturday wedding, restrooms, parking, having to rent every last little thing needed for the reception.... I don't mean to discourage you, but these are the things that discouraged me. Maybe you'll have better luck!
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  • clage22clage22 member
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm actually looking to do the same thing. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. I''ve looked on many of the rental websites without success. I have also tried calling some realtors with no luck!
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  • GBroc22GBroc22 member
    Ninth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Uggh, we're trying for the same thing...and are having trouble finding any options.  I even had the owner of a rental home basically scold me on the phone for trying such a ridiculous concept.  Don't give up...keep looking! I'm heading up there this weekend, and if I find out anything, I'll let you know! Wink
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  • kasunikekasunike
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Good luck to everyone trying this concept!  I have had a difficult time, but if you do get something to work any tips would be appreciated.
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  • Soon2BaMrsDSoon2BaMrsD member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I did come across these houses in Truro that seem to have been built specifically for weddings/large gatherings:  http://www.truroadventures.com/ but as I researched further I learned what a nuisance this has created for the neighbors, so I decided it wasn't the right way for us to go.
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  • makumaku member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I am going this route and my wedding is in 2 weeks from tomorrow! Yes, it was more challenging because you have to bring in every detail separately as opposed to a reception hall that provides caterer, lighting, cake, music, tables, etc.... 

    HOWEVER.... now that it is shaping up I know it is going to be so unique and personal and I do not regret the decision one bit!! I can't really help you to locate a rental company because we rented through a friend, but I just wanted to throw in my two cents about the fact that, yes its harder and you have to be creative and have a bit of a Do It Yourself spirit, but it allows you to create a wedding that is uniquely you! If you're up for a challenge go for it!!

    Good luck to you! Enjoy the journey! :) 

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  • sjlovesmasonsjlovesmason
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    We also are having a tented wedding in Chatham! My fiance's grandparents have a home there with water views. My man spent summers growing up there, and it was very special to him to have our wedding on the Cape, but I have only been there ONCE! When I did go it was about two years ago and I wasn't exactly envisioning my wedding, so it has been challenging to say the least. We live in Bellingham, WA, about 3500 miles away! We are 33 days away now and it's a bit crazy trying to plan sight unseen pretty much. But having the opportunity to use the house and the property is such a blessing it is worth all the effort. After reading about the difficulty of getting a house, I truly appreciate it even more now.

    A few ideas....
    I used Undercover Tent Rental for the tent, chairs and tables. They have been wonderful to work with a very quick with revisions. They came out for a site visit and made a CAD drawing of the site personalized for us.

    Due to Undercover's limited selection of other rental items, we are using Rentals Unlimited for our china, flatware, glassware and some other fun stuff. The rep I have worked with there is named Becky Nye and she is AMAZING! She even offered to go to the florist for me with the linens and take pictures since I couldn't be there to see for myself. I have been very lucky to have her around.

    I wasn't able to go but my man went back to the Cape for a few tastings. Although the caterer we chose didn't offer tastings off season, we went with White's Catering anyway. They have very reasonable pricing and I called about 4 of their references and they were all positive. I guess I'll report back with that after Sept 25th!

    Let's see, porta potties have to rented. Nauset is totally reasonable even for one with a sink and their units are almost new they said. While I do appreciate the service and email coorespondance with Eliza J, I found it to be overpriced for a potty. Nauset also is providing X Large Trash cans, recycling bins and will take them away after the party! That was a detail I hadn't even thought about.

    All in all it is waaaaaaaay more details and a bit more difficulty to do a tent wedding, but hopefully the setting and the vibe will make all the hard work worth it. I have no doubt, it will.

    -----------------------------------------------------
    By the way........
    I am looking for vases, candle holders, centerpieces and stuff to buy. Our colors are navy, silver and turquoise but we are having a very colorful wedding all around. Thanks. =)
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  • bpcmarjbpcmarj member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    @sjlovesmason:  I went to a charity event in Chatham last weekend, and they used Nauset for the portable toilets, and let me tell you, they were BRAND NEW and the nicest ones I have ever seen.  They were huge, clean, and OK to look at...I even saw a couple coming out of one together (which still grosses me out no matter HOW clean they are!!).  They also had a portable sink outside of the restroom area, which was interesting also.  I don't think you will be disappointed with your rental from them!  I hope you have a wonderful wedding! Chatham is beauuuuutiful!
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  • kasunikekasunike
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thanks everyone for your suggestions.  I have more hope that I can get this done after reading your reply and encouraging that you were able to get it done from so far away.  I need to find the house, but once I get that I think I can get the rest done.
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  • pstarr22pstarr22
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Try Ricotta and Associates, a real estate company in Chatham.  They have a few big houses with great yards for weddings.  I looked into this for my wedding but decided it would be way too expensive between renting the house for the week and getting the tent and everything.  You do have to get extras like porta-potties and police for traffic.  Good luck!
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