The Tent Line
Archive for the 'Events' Category
Top Five Locations for a Tented Wedding in the San Francisco Bay Area
July 14th, 2008 Categories: Events, Venues, Weddings
We’ve had the pleasure of working in so many beautiful locations. Many of these have been private homes but there are lots of great spots anyone can rent. In no particular order, here are the top five SF Bay Area (tent-friendly) wedding venues:
Angel Island
Angel Island is a one-of-a-kind location complete with an outstanding view of the San Francisco Bay. Guests arrive by ferry and are shuttled to a private area on the island. A recent wedding Zephyr Tents was an integral part of was featured in the summer 2008 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine. Zephyr Tents provided the tent, dance floor, lighting and generator. It was a logistical challenge getting everything barged to the island and then trucked to the wedding site, but the end result was spectacular with the Golden Gate Bridge as the back drop and fireworks concluding the evening. With the right team to help plan ahead (wedding planner, Grace Lee and caterer, Living Room Events did a stellar job!), Angel Island is a dream venue.
Annadel Winery and Gardens
Lucky for new brides-to-be, this private estate just came back on the event rental market. Surrounded by old oaks, vineyards and roses, Paula LeDuc Fine Catering has the exclusive on this magical Sonoma Valley location. Charming ruins are a special setting for your ceremony and are later converted to a late night lounge. Guests dine on the lawn under a Zephyr canopy and enjoy the late evening hours when the light is just right in the valley of the moon.
Martin’s Beach
We love the beach and this venue is all about getting sand between your toes and dipping your feet in the ocean. Just south of Half Moon Bay, Martin’s Beach is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and comes with privacy, too. A barefoot ceremony in the sand with the soothing sound of ocean waves, what could be more romantic? Guests can stay at the nearby Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay.
River House
With my east coast roots, it’s hard not to love this private estate in Napa Valley located just off the historic Silverado Trail on the Napa River. The expansive lawns, gardens and vineyards set the stage for a picturesque event. Cocktail by the pool then dine and dance under a Zephyr tent while watching the sun drop behind the Redwoods and vineyard.
Highland Ranch
Located in Philo, just above the Anderson Valley, the secluded Highland Ranch allows you to relax and enjoy nature. The Anderson Valley is home to Anderson Valley Brewing Company , Scharffenberger Cellars, and Husch Vineyards to name of few of its many interests. Nestled in a forest of Douglas Fir and Redwoods, the ranch offers cozy cabins and a yurt for meditation, massage or yoga. There are lots of activities for guests to enjoy including swimming and a horse back riding program for all levels. When it comes to getting married at Highland Ranch the possibilities are endless. You can exchange vows by the lake, under a California Oak or in the apple orchard. Enjoy dinner catered by the Philo Apple Farm under a Zephyr tent set beneath a cluster of redwood trees. If weather permits, finish the evening dancing under the stars.
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The Importance of Lighting
June 20th, 2008 Categories: Decor, Events, Lighting, Products, Weddings
The importance of lighting is often overlooked when planning weddings and special events. The client has so many other decisions to make – decor, food, flowers, linens, tables… – that when it comes to a less-understood element such as lighting, they have run out of gas, not to mention money. But here is why you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of lighting.
Lighting is essential in setting the mood for your event. Whether the atmosphere wants to be romantic and natural or colorful and fun, the right lighting will enhance these intentions. A leaf pattern gobo achieves the effect of soft, romantic moonlight filtered through the trees and colored gels can bring any boring space to life.
Safety for your guests is also something to consider when planning your outdoor event. A site visit to the property at night will reveal how extensive and safe the existing outdoor lighting is for a large event. Most permanent landscape lighting provides enough guidance for just a few people to meander through the property. With a wedding or special event, the lighting needs to be adjusted accordingly – stairs, pathways to the restrooms and parking, and any changes to the landscape should all be high-lighted.

Many event sites have beautiful trees and structures that, when lit, add drama to the property at night. The details that make this site special to you should be given special attention. When up-lighting a home, focus on the unique details of the architecture and give them depth. When guests stroll the property, they’ll enjoy the character of the home and landscape. We love how dramatic a redwood tree looks lit up at night.
Lighting may just be the final element you need in creating that unforgettable setting. I’ve been witness to too many events where everything looks so beautiful during the day but the moment the sun goes down, the décor is lost in darkness. Bottom line – you’ve spent a lot of your time and money on choosing just the right flowers, food, decor, linens, and location – now light your event properly so your guests will enjoy those details.
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Another Successful Year for Taste Napa Valley
June 10th, 2008 Categories: Events
Once again, Zephyr Tents was honored to be an integral part of the Taste Napa Valley event. This was our second year as the lucky tent supplier for arguably the biggest party in Napa Valley and this year’s one-of-a-kind event was just as beautiful as the last. Mary Ross and her team from Five Star Productions styled the amazing Trinchero Family Estates into a gorgeous marketplace. Our large sailcloth canopies housed over a hundred local wineries, restaurateurs and caterers and created the perfect setting to showcase their specialties. From top restaurateurs such as Thomas Keller of The French Laundry to rare wines and boutique wineries – this event had all the ingredients for the perfect event. A huge congratulations for raising $10.35 million for the community this year!
Even Oprah Winfrey stopped by to taste!
A little history…In 2007, Kate Stanley of Kate Stanley Designs was the event designer for Taste Napa Valley and conceptualized it differently. Kate was looking to create a county fair atmosphere and Zephyr Tents fit perfectly into her design concept. This was a big change since in years past the tent configuration had been more traditional with long rows of 10′x10′ canopies for the purveyors with a couple of larger tents for congregating. Kate Stanley and Jenny Owsley from Zephyr Tents worked and worked on coming up with another way to house those hundreds of food and wine purveyors. Many schematics circulated until they all fit under our large canopies. Just like that, the 10×10 “stalls” were gone. In the end, a more communal feel was achieved with everyone sharing tables under large Zephyr canopies. It was one big Napa Valley family!
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