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Tent rental companies know that just because the same client returns year after year with a request for a tented project on the same grounds, it doesn’t mean it will be a templated design and installation. Each summer, one of L&A Tent & Event Rentals’ clients in New Jersey hosts a large-scale gathering for family and friends in their backyard to celebrate life’s milestones — from birthdays to engagements. For their annual event in June 2025, the client prioritized a specific and practical request based on prior years’ experience: “It has rained every year during this party, and we need to keep everyone dry.”
Designed to stay dry
In response, L&A, based in Hamilton, N.J., designed a fully connected, seamless environment to cover the client’s entire rear patio and surround the house for approximately 250 guests. “When the client told us, ‘It’s rained every year — make sure guests stay dry from the moment they arrive,’ our team immediately embraced the challenge,” says Carol Lee Cundey, CERP, marketing and special projects for L&A Tent & Event Rentals. “That kind of request is exactly where our team thrives and our ‘can do’ attitude shines.”
The team started with “rough” hand-drawn sketches and concept layouts that mapped out a fully covered guest journey — thinking through flow, transitions and how to seamlessly connect multiple structures across a complex residential property. From there, the team collaborated with the company’s manufacturing partners, who understand how L&A thinks and works. “Because of that shared experience, they were able to quickly translate our concepts into precise technical drawings that aligned perfectly with our vision,” Cundey says.
The resulting installation featured a 60-by-90’ clearspan structure for the main dining tent, connected to a 30-by-45’ clearspan, which converted to up to a 40-by-70’ clearspan for the cocktail hour. L&A utilized more than 250 feet of marquee as connectors to every key point — from valet to the main tent and around the pool and gazebo.
“The layout required custom turns and transitions to navigate the property, and our team approached it like a puzzle, designing solutions that maintained both functionality and flow,” Cundey says. “The result was a seamless, weatherproof experience that felt intentional and effortless to guests.”
Planning and installation
Planning began approximately four months out with an initial consultation and detailed site visit. From there, L&A collaborated with its client, manufacturing partners and other vendors to finalize the design. Installation began one week prior to the event, following a carefully phased build plan. The site presented significant elevation changes, including multitiered patios and raised landscaping/garden beds, which required more than a standard approach.
“Rather than seeing that as a limitation, our team incorporated that into our design solution,” Cundey says. “Our team used laser-level measurements to map every elevation change, then translated those measurements into custom-fabricated legs for precise placement. Each piece was cut, drilled and labeled in-house so the installation crew could execute efficiently on-site without guesswork.”
Protecting the property was equally important. The crew worked hand-in-hand with the client’s landscaping team to temporarily remove and later reinstall key elements, ensuring the property looked untouched for the event. “This kind of coordination reflects our commitment to respecting both the design and the space,” Cundey says.
Crew size varied throughout the build. At peak installation, eight team members were on-site to erect the 60-by-90’ structure, including crane-assisted installation over the existing fence and hardscape. During the event, two attendants remained on-site to support the client and ensure everything ran smoothly.
Strength through collaboration
A professional decor and lighting team provided chandeliers, uplighting, gobos and specialty elements to complete the welcoming and celebratory vibe of the event. L&A’s role was to ensure those elements could be executed safely and effectively throughout the tented area. The crew worked closely with all vendors, sharing structural details, managing load requirements and providing hands-on support during installation.
“Our team’s expertise in tenting allowed every partner to do their best work, reinforcing our belief that great events are built through strong collaboration,” Cundey says.
As with many custom events, the client’s vision evolved throughout the process. Rather than slowing down the L&A team, it gave them more opportunities to problem-solve and refine the design. The warehouse, installation crew and partners worked in sync to adapt quickly — finding solutions, adjusting plans and keeping the project moving forward without hesitation.
“We see changes not as obstacles, but as opportunities to make something even better,” Cundey says. “This project is a great example of how our team’s creativity, combined with strong vendor partnerships/relationships, allows us to take an ambitious idea and engineer a practical, executable solution — without ever backing away from the challenge.”
Sigrid Tornquist is a Minneapolis, Minn.-based writer and editor and former InTents editor.
SIDEBAR: Vital vendors
L&A’s partnership with vendors was vital to making the project a success. L&A worked with LiftTech Crane and Rigging, which is the tent rental company’s local “go to” for expertise in helping to install structures in challenging environments.
For event planning and catering, 15 Lansdowne’s extraordinary events blend remarkable creativity and impeccable organization, always exceeding expectations.
InTENTional Systems, which supplied L&A with custom vinyl for the project, has a long-standing relationship with and understanding of what L&A needs to get the job done.
SIDEBAR: By the numbers
One 60-by-90’ clearspan on 10’ legs with custom Majestic gables and sidewalls, featuring custom leg heights — main dining tent
One 30-by-45’ clearspan with custom legs and gables — welcome and cocktail space
One 40-by-70’ clearspan with custom legs and gables — food and bar area
One 40-by-45’ clearspan on 10’ legs — catering tent
One 15-by-30’ keder frame tent — restroom trailer cover
One 20-by-20’ keder frame tent — vendor staging and meals
One 20-by-30’ keder frame tent — valet drop-off
One 10-by-5’ keder frame tent — raw bar
One 10-by-15’ keder frame tent — bar
250+ linear feet of keder-style marquee, including multiple 90-degree turns, connecting all spaces