A tent and a glass atrium both put your reception outdoors-adjacent, with the sky in view. The difference comes down to light, walls, weather and feel. At Chelsea Sun Inn, receptions today are held under a decorated tent on the Grand Concourse, and from spring 2027 the Garden Atrium adds a glass-walled option that seats up to 300. Here is how to choose between a tent and a glass room for your own wedding — and if the view is what you are after, see a mountain-view wedding reception, indoors.
The short answer
Choose a tent if you want the open-air, garden-party feel and plan to be outside from the ceremony to the last dance. Choose a glass atrium if you want the view without being exposed to it: real walls and doors, a room that glows at night, and a more formal, ballroom-like setting. Both work for big guest lists. The right one depends on the season, your style and how much you care about weather.
Tent vs. glass atrium, side by side
- Walls. A tent has fabric sides that roll up or down. A glass atrium has glass walls and glass doors, so you see out in every direction even when it's closed.
- Light. Tents filter daylight through the canopy. Glass lets the whole sky in, so afternoon receptions stay bright and sunset becomes part of the room.
- At night. A lit tent glows softly. A glass room with chandeliers reads from across the lawn like a lantern, which is why glass venues photograph so well after dark.
- Weather. A tent keeps the rain off but stays open to wind and cool air. Glass walls give you shelter while keeping the view.
- Feel. A tent says garden party. Chandeliers under glass feel closer to a ballroom.
- Season. Tents are a warm-weather choice. Our Garden Atrium is a spring-through-fall space too, so both are best for May through November dates.
What you get with the tent at Chelsea Sun Inn
The reception tent sits on the 15,000-square-foot Grand Concourse beside the pool, the 20-person heated jacuzzi and the fire pit. It comes decorated, with a dance floor, a sweetheart table, lighting and chandeliers, plus 300 chairs, tables and linens. Up to 300 guests can celebrate outdoors on the terraces and lawns. If it rains, you move, you don't cancel, at no fee. Our outdoor wedding rain plan explains how.
What the Garden Atrium adds
- Glass walls and glass doors, open to the estate.
- Chandeliers, greenery and warm lighting throughout.
- Seating for up to 300 guests.
- Views of the mountains with the wishing well, the lake and its fountain, the forest, the 1811 stone mansion, and the pool and hot tub.
It opens in spring 2027, and for now it comes with your venue package at no extra cost. Prices will rise as dates fill.
Questions to ask any venue before you choose
- What happens if it rains, and is there a fee to move?
- Which months is each space available?
- How many guests fit for a seated dinner with a dance floor?
- Are décor, lighting, tables and chairs included, or rented separately?
- Can I see the space at the time of day my reception will happen?
We cover more of these in questions to ask on a venue tour.
What it costs
At Chelsea Sun Inn the setting doesn't change the price right now. A 100-guest peak Saturday is $26,862 all-in with The Wedding package, or $30,462 with the Wedding + Estate Stay, tax and gratuity included. Venue packages start at $7,196 for a peak Monday through Thursday. See every date and price or run your own numbers in the cost calculator.
Prices are 2027 rates from chelseasun.com/wedding/ and can change. Your final price is set by your signed event agreement.
