We Hosted Our Engagement Party in a Heated Outdoor Tent—And It Was Perfect

If you told most people you were hosting an engagement party outside in late November, they’d probably look at you like you’re crazy. I got that reaction more than once. Cold weather brings a certain fear around comfort, heating, and guest experience — but here’s the truth:

My November 22nd engagement party was one of the warmest, coziest, and most beautiful nights I’ve ever experienced.

Not one person complained about the temperature.
Not one person asked for a blanket.
And more than one guest said, “I’m trying to figure out where we are on the property!”

That’s how completely the tent transformed the space.

If you’re scared to host a winter outdoor event, don’t be. With the right design and the right heat plan, it becomes something magical.

Here’s how mine came together — every detail, every choice, and why I would do it all again.

Creating a Space That Didn’t Feel Like “The Backyard”

I hosted the event at night, and that was intentional. Once the sun went down, nobody could see outside of the tent. Guests weren’t looking at trees, fences, or familiar views — they were inside a space that felt entirely different from our property.

It didn’t feel like just another event in our backyard.
It didn’t feel like a tent.
It felt like a venue we had stepped into as guests.

People kept asking me:
“Seriously, where are we right now?”

That reaction made every design choice worth it.

 

The Marquis: A 9×20 Entry Tunnel That Became Its Own Moment

The marquis connecting the house to the main tent was one of my favorite parts of the night.

I lined the entire hallway with battery-operated candles so it glowed softly from end to end.
I hung poster board photos of me and my fiancé along both sides.
I used burgundy sheer drapes throughout the tunnel.
And I laid down a rug to cover the ground — which added an unexpected elegance that everyone noticed.

People walked from our house into this warm, glowing walkway and immediately slowed down. It felt intimate. Romantic. Special.

And then they stepped into the main tent and everything opened up. Here’s a little behind-the-scenes look!

Inside the Tent: A 30×45 Space That Felt Like a Banquet Hall

The main tent was 30×45 and honestly didn’t feel like a tent at all once everything was installed.

We draped the back and front entrance wall with burgundy drapes, which added warmth and depth.
We brought out the “Marry Me” sign Jon used to propose to me, which made the entire night feel full-circle.
On top of the flooring, we installed a black-and-white checkered dance floor — and it completely elevated the vibe.

It made the space feel finished, intentional, and designed.

We hung disco balls across the tent, and I loved them more than I expected. They brought a fun, sparkly party energy to the warm color palette.

 

The Linens: A Mix of Textures, Colors & Collections

This was one of the most fun design parts for me.

I combined multiple collections and colors, and they all worked together:

• Burgundy sequin linens
• Blush sequin linens
• Burgundy peony linens (my favorite flower!)
• Burgundy velvet linens for guest tables
• Mauve polyester linens for food tables and the bar back

It created depth, texture, warmth, and a sense of richness you rarely get in a backyard.

And speaking of the bar — we had Baystate’s white wood bar with our favorite local bartender, and it elevated everything instantly.

Food & Drinks: Warm, Comforting, and Cozy

We had Catering by Erin create a cocktail-style menu with both passed apps and fork-friendly stationary foods. Everything was warm, cozy, and comforting — exactly what you want on a chilly November night.

Some details I loved:

• Comfort-style apps that kept guests warm by a creative caterer – Catering by Erin!
• Seasonal falls drinks that matched the cozy theme, created by our favorite local bartender
• A beautiful raspberry cake from Love&Flour in Salem, NH
• An ice luge from Ice Breakers in Manchester, NH – which was such a hit

The whole menu leaned into warmth, which kept the energy feeling welcoming and relaxed.

Music, Photography & Florals: Extra Layers of Warmth

Music

Instead of hiring a DJ, my fiancé and I curated a Spotify playlist – each song carrying meaning for us and our relationship.
It saved money and keeps the DJ “moment” special for our wedding.

Photography

Kassidy Hyde Photography captured everything so perfectly. Her attention to detail, kindness, and ability to photograph genuine moments made the night even more special. The photos she delivered feel like memories we can step back into.

Florals

At first, I didn’t put a lot of thought and intention towards our florals. Almost last minute, we made the decision to hire Ford Flowers in Salem, NH – and they absolutely blew me away!

They created stunning arrangements with:

• Amaranthus
• Calla lilies
• Orchids
• Hydrangeas
• Anthurium

I still think about these arrangements. I want to preserve them somehow because they were that beautiful!

On the tables, we mixed in floating candles, photos of us throughout the years, and a touch of disco-ball sparkle to tie everything together.

Little Moments That Made the Night Special

There were so many little things that made the night unforgettable, and they’re the exact moments you don’t always get in a traditional venue.

Having all our closest friends and family together in one cozy space.
Nobody left the tent — not once. That’s how warm and comfortable it was. It kept everyone together instead of spreading out around a house or different rooms.

           

The shoe game.
It was so fun and had everyone laughing. It broke the ice, got people cheering, and added a personal moment we’ll always remember.

         

The ice luge.
This was such a hit. It got everyone talking, taking photos, and having fun. It added that perfect party energy to the night.

         

Our dogs.
My sister and I both had our fur babies there, which would never be allowed in a banquet hall. One of the best parts about hosting at home, in a tent, is that nobody tells you your pets can’t celebrate with you. It made the night feel like us!

         

These moments made the whole event feel unique, personal, and filled with love — exactly what we wanted.

Personal Touches That Made the Night Feel Like Us

These little details brought so much personality and warmth to the night. They weren’t big production items — they were simple things that made the event feel personal and intentional.

Custom monogrammed bar menus.
I designed bar-style menus with our monogram on the cover and custom drink inserts inside. Guests loved them. It added a real “event” feel and was such a unique way to tell people what we were serving.

           

My mom’s chocolate fountain.
We brought out my mom’s chocolate fountain — because why not? It was fun, nostalgic, and a total hit. Guests hovered around it all night.

           

Custom sugar cookies from my mom’s friend.
She made the sweetest custom cookies with little notes on them. They were beautiful, personal, and one of those treats people actually remember.

           

These small touches made the event feel warm, thoughtful, and full of heart — the kind of things you can’t always pull off in a traditional venue.

The Part Everyone Kept Talking About

Nobody was cold.

Not even a little.

People walked into the tent and immediately said:

• “It’s so warm in here!”
• “I wasn’t expecting this at all.”
• “I seriously can’t tell this is outside.”

That’s because we planned for warmth from the beginning:

• Full floor
• Sidewalls
• Generous heat
• An enclosed entry
• Fabric everywhere

Heat wasn’t an afterthought — it was part of the design.

Why You Shouldn’t Be Scared to Host a Winter Event

Winter events can feel more magical than summer events.
Here’s why:

• No bugs
• No humidity
• No sweating
• Guests stay inside the tent instead of drifting off
• Lighting is richer and warmer
• Everything feels intentional and intimate

You just need the right setup.

My engagement party is living proof:
A well-heated, well-designed tent can feel like anything you want it to feel like.

Warm. Cozy. Elegant. Elevated.
Not “cold November backyard” — but a space transformed.

My Final Thoughts

Hosting a winter event isn’t something to avoid — it’s an opportunity.
The atmosphere is warm, the lighting is perfect, and the environment feels special in a way summer events often can’t achieve.

My engagement party became one of the best nights of my life.
And it wasn’t despite the season — it was because of it.

If you’re considering a winter event, take this as your sign: Do it.

With the right heating, flooring, draping, and design choices, it becomes unforgettable.

Let Me Help You Create a Night That Feels Like This

Everything you see in this event — the tent, the tables and chairs, the lighting, the drapes, the flooring, the dance floor, and the bar — all came from Baystate Tent.

If you’re thinking about hosting your own tented celebration, reach out. I’d love to help you create the same warm, intentional, meaningful experience I felt that night!

The wonderful event team:

Planning & Design: Samantha Knight Events
Tent & All Rentals: Baystate Tent & Party
Photography: Kassidy Hyde Photography
Content Creation: Danielle Pelletier
Catering: Catering By Erin McMahon
Cake: Love&Flour
Hair: Copper Blonde Hair Studio

Cheers ❤️