A party tent is commonly used for weddings, trade fairs and other events where 50 or more people gather. This type of tent is more expensive than ordinary shelters used in camping and it usually requires special equipment to build. Tents for parties are harder to pitch than ordinary tents, that's why most of the time they are rented rather than purchased. Most companies that offer these tents for rent also offer services for pitching and dismantling.

People who need a party tent should consider first the kind of environment where the shelter will be built. Firms that offer tent rental services often charge extra if the venue is not exactly the best place to erect a tent. For example, a concrete ground will be more of a challenge to tent builders as compared with uncovered earth. The distance of the venue from the renting company is also a consideration; more often than not, the farther the place is from the renting company's headquarters, the higher the fee.

Weddings are some of the more common events that make use of big tents. Because a wedding is not a frequent occurrence, most consumers would prefer to rent a tent rather than buy one. Tents for something as festive as a wedding are offered in various designs and colors, although white is, of course, the most common. Oftentimes, companies that provide wedding tents also offer accessories such as carpets, floorings, platforms, tent decorations, awnings and even lighting.

The type of tent that will be used for a party should be chosen with the weather condition in mind. If the party will be held during the summer, tents without side covers are the most appropriate. Most of the time, tents for summer parties are comprised only of a roof and several sturdy poles. If there is dancing involved, center poles are usually not used. Instead, the shelter is supported using stakes and side poles and the center is left free so that people can move around without a center pole obscuring their view or preventing them from dancing at the center. For events like these, canopy tents are the most commonly used.

For events that need to accommodate a hundred guests or more, frame tents are the more favored. Several frame shelters can be joined together to form a single, big space where people can get together and mingle. Frame canopies can also be erected in such a way that different configurations can be formed depending on the theme of the party.

Using a party tent is more practical and economical than finding an indoor space to house a number of guests or more. It is also an advantage that it can just be dismantled after the party and there will be no worries about having to tidy up and put furniture back into their proper places after the event.