Weddings Pop-up 10x10 canopy choices?

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Bill Kexel

Well-Known DJ
Dec 5, 2006
2,097
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Phoenix, AZ
This past weekend I DJd an outdoor car show & was out in the sun. I had borrowed a 10x10 pop up canopy from a friend. It worked well, but was impossible to setup/take down by myself. Plus the one I used was a cheap Walmart Ozark trail model. The canopy was thin & easy to rip. (probably no good in the rain)

I have been comparing all the different brands & found this one seems to be the best choice for me. Lightweight aluminum, (not heavy steel) fast to set up/take down, solid quality...and 1 person can do it. (the R-3 model) http://www.iundercover.com/videos

I am also open to suggestions.

Anyone using this brand: Undercover?
http://www.iundercover.com/
 
Bill I have used one similar to that before and it worked well except my speakers were outside the Canopy. Make sure you get all the flaps/sidewalls to go with it Another thing is to stake down or tie down the legs as a gust of wind can pick it up and blow it away. I used the steel which gave it more weight than the aluminum. You can also buy it at Sams http://www.samsclub.com/sams/king-canopy-tuff-tent-canopy-w-walls-10-x-10/prod1260255.ip

Also get a Heavy duty Fan. It gets hot under there.
This Fan woulld work well under there. Takes up little space, oscillates, 3 speeds and has a remote control. You can find it at Sams Club. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/lasko-oscillating-high-velocity-fan-w-remote/prod5680159.ip

Update: The one I used was an EZ Up but the King Canopy is just as durable and heavy duty.
 
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+1 on EZ-Up.
 
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+4 on the EZ Ups ... I actually have 4 of them, used for different things. The wall & screen panels are definitely nice to have; they make solid walls, walls with windows, walls with doors and a complete kit to turn them into a camping tent with floor. One person can easily sit them up.
 
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I had looked into the EZUP models & did a Google search for user comments & saw a bunch user complaints about how in the rain, their tops tend to trap water which causes damage & other problems.

Anyone familar with this problem?
 
I had looked into the EZUP models & did a Google search for user comments & saw a bunch user complaints about how in the rain, their tops tend to trap water which causes damage & other problems.

Anyone familar with this problem?

With the EZ-Up I have (10X10), I can't see any way for that to happen. The center is nice and tall and water runs off quickly. The sidewalls and anchors are a must-have. Some people use 5-gallon buckets with water to hold the tent down in wind.
 
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With the EZ-Up I have (10X10), I can't see any way for that to happen. The center is nice and tall and water runs off quickly. The sidewalls and anchors are a must-have. Some people use 5-gallon buckets with water to hold the tent down in wind.

I am still comparing them & will let you know what I decide on.

Interesting reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/EZ-UP-Canopy-...?ie=UTF8&filterBy=addOneStar&showViewpoints=0

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/archive/index.php/t-952556.html

https://www.sunshineartist.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14234

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1144152/ez-up-canopy
 
Another vote for the EZ-UP. I have a 10x10 and love it. As Canute said, I suggest you get the walls or atleast have some tarps for the sides. I would also suggest a white tent if your going to do weddings.

My first pop up was from Big Lots which was a Big mistake. Its lasted two events then a plasic piece of frame broke and I could'nt find any replacement parts. Learned my lesson.
 
I would also suggest a white tent if your going to do weddings.

Question...For those that use them for weddings, do you only use them when it looks like rain?
I'm guessing that there are some higher end venues that would not allow you to set it up unless it looks like rain. They frown on anything that takes away from the event (too gawdy)

If you have an outside wedding at a venue, and plan to use your pop-up tent, do you notify/ask permission from the venue upfront?
 
Question...For those that use them for weddings, do you only use them when it looks like rain?
I'm guessing that there are some higher end venues that would not allow you to set it up unless it looks like rain. They frown on anything that takes away from the event (too gawdy)

If you have an outside wedding at a venue, and plan to use your pop-up tent, do you notify/ask permission from the venue upfront?
Bill if I were you I would make that decision myself. Some answers others may give may not apply to your situation. Some would set up in the scorching sun if the Venue told them that is what they had to do. The Tent is for shade as well as element's/rain and sun's protection for you and your gear. The Client is the one who you should ask not the Venue. Let them be the one to tell the Venue that you will be using a Tent. You and your gear should always be under some kind of cover.
 
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I've only used mine for live sound gigs and usually for shade. I'll also pop it over the gear if there is a chance of light rain at some point.
 
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I have a real cutie—a three-sided EZ-Up that's a breeze to set up. I think it's 8x8x8; it's only good if you have a small footprint. I also have a 6x6x6 pop-up screen room that folds into a 3-foot, flat disc that can be slipped behind the car seat. The 'ceiling' is nylon and the sides are mosquito netting (with a zip-up door). Neither should be used at fancy events—the three-sider is blue and yellow and the pop-up is green.
 
If you get a 10x10 .. make sure it's a "true" 10x10 with vertical poles. I see a lot of discount ones where the poles angle in, so the base may be 10x10, but the canopy is more like 8x8. These are not as sturdy.
 
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If you get a 10x10 .. make sure it's a "true" 10x10 with vertical poles. I see a lot of discount ones where the poles angle in, so the base may be 10x10, but the canopy is more like 8x8. These are not as sturdy.


I can easily see a venue telling the DJ that he is not allowed to set it up in the ceremony area, sun or no sun. (rain may be a different story)

Also....What do you guys use for weights?
 
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Question...For those that use them for weddings, do you only use them when it looks like rain?
I'm guessing that there are some higher end venues that would not allow you to set it up unless it looks like rain. They frown on anything that takes away from the event (too gawdy)

If you have an outside wedding at a venue, and plan to use your pop-up tent, do you notify/ask permission from the venue upfront?

Rain or shine, I insist on being covered any event I do. If cover is not provided, I charge extra for the tent. Most places I do outdoor weddings have sufficient shelter so I'm usually good. But for the few that don't, I've used my tent with no issues. I've got several festivals booked this summer so thats where my tent will see the most action.
 
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