dealing with wind at an outdoor reception

Susan Barrett · May 2012

We are having a casual rustic wedding at a park with a really nice pavilion near a lake. It gets windy and I was thinking of using brown plastic table covers that I could secure under the picnic table top so the wind does not blow them away or disturb the centerpieces. I was also planning on using burlap runners on the tables too. Is this tacky? If so, any other suggestions to keep the tablecloths in place and not blowing all over the place?

Sue-n-Kevin · May 2012

I don't think there is anything wrong with your plan, however, I'm having trouble understanding how you are going to attach the plastic covers underneath.........if these are wooden picnic tables, other than tacks (which can tear through the plastic), there aren't a lot of semi-permanent attachments that will hold the plastic. I've personally tried duct tape under plastic tables due to the same wind/blowing issue, and that doesn't work well..........wooden table clothes would be worse.

If you can get away with burlap in a wider table runner, with candles & centerpieces on it, it would be held down, it's heavier than the plastic, and would probably be your best bet. You say it's casual and rustic, so that might work for you.

Most fabric stores sell it for reasonable prices.