Business Details
21 Years
experience
Your Trusted Event Rental Partner in Santa Barbara
Founded in 2005, Tent Merchant has established itself as Santa Barbara's premier boutique event and wedding rental company. Our passion for exotic decor and antiques, combined with extensive event planning expertise, enables us to create truly unique and memorable experiences. We offer a comprehensive selection of premium rentals including tents, tables, chairs, linens, lighting, and international-style props, with specialized services for weddings, corporate events, and private parties.Our team's dedication to quality and customer satisfaction has earned us multiple 'Best of Santa Barbara' awards and recognition from leading wedding publications. With three convenient locations and a commitment to sourcing custom items, we provide tailored solutions that bring any vision to life while maintaining the highest standards of service and reliability.
Services
Tents
Tables
Chairs
Linens
Lighting
Props & Decor
Dance Floors
Staging
Flatware
Glassware
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience in event rentals
- We offer custom-built solutions for unique events
- We provide a wide variety of international dcor styles
- Our team supports local businesses and events
- We have won multiple Best of Santa Barbara awards
What people say
Best service
Huge variety
Custom solutions
Award-winning
Support local
Services
Tents
We provide authentic tents with antique furnishings to transform any environment. Our collection includes Tidewater Sail Cloth Tents, Exotic Tents, Frame Tents, and Open Air Structures. These premium tents create memorable settings for weddings, corporate events, and private parties while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Lighting
Our lighting solutions include chandeliers, lanterns, string lighting, and stage lighting. These elements enhance ambiance for events of all sizes. From intimate weddings to large corporate functions, our lighting rentals create the perfect atmosphere while meeting safety and technical requirements for various venues.
Props & Decor
We offer international-style props and dcor including Vintage Shabby Chic, Tropical Island, Asian, and Moroccan collections. Our unique pieces add character to events. From vintage furnishings to specialty accents, our dcor rentals help create distinctive environments that reflect clients' personal styles and event themes.
Furniture
Our furniture inventory includes lounges, consoles, bars, and architectural pieces. We feature collections like the Bordeaux Lounge and Casablanca Lounge. These premium furnishings provide comfort and style for events while maintaining durability and aesthetic consistency across different event types and settings.
Linens
We provide standard and specialty linen collections that enhance table settings. Our premium fabrics include unique textures and patterns that coordinate with various event themes. From classic white linens to bold specialty designs, our linen rentals add sophistication to weddings, banquets, and corporate events.
People
Sherine Leenhouwers
Co-Owner
With over 20 years in event rentals, Sherine brings expertise in exotic decor and client relations. She co-founded Tent Merchant to combine her passion for antiques with event planning, ensuring each client receives personalized service and unique rental solutions tailored to their specific needs.
John Leenhouwers
Co-Owner
John co-founded Tent Merchant with Sherine, leveraging his experience in sourcing antique furnishings. He manages operations and inventory, ensuring the company maintains its high standards for quality rentals. His commitment to customer satisfaction has helped establish the business as Santa Barbara's premier event rental provider.
Questions
What types of events do you serve?
We specialize in weddings, corporate events, and private parties of all sizes throughout Santa Barbara.
Can you accommodate custom rental requests?
Yes, we frequently source new items and create custom-built solutions like our circle bars for special events.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Santa Barbara and surrounding areas with delivery and setup services available.
Do you have international style décor options?
Yes, we offer Vintage Shabby Chic, Tropical Island, Asian, and Moroccan & Indian style décor rentals.
Are your rentals available for retail purchase?
We offer retail purchases at our State Street outlet store in addition to event rental services.
What are your showroom hours?
Our main showroom is open Monday-Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday 9am-2pm for rental consultations.
