Outdoor Wedding - No Tent

AliMarieABC

This past week I made the decision to hold my reception in my parent's back yard. It's really magical, with beautiful landscaped gardens, willowy trees, flat and spacious. We also have a bathroom right off the back of the house, a little shed for drinks, a small raised porch for a DJ. . . .  so essentially it's perfect!

The only thing is. . . . I really don't want a tent. I've looked into tent rentals, and I am not opposed to them asthetically or monetarily. . . but I would rather have the reception under the stars, hang lights on all the trees. . .make a really magical evening garden wedding. But I live in Maine, and the weather is not very predictable. In the summer it's warm and more dry, but there are always a few weekends here or there that rain. I really don't know what to do. Do I rent a tent, pay a deposit, and then cancel if the forecast looks ok? Or do I not rent a tent and then if it's going to rain, rent one last minute? 

tiffysue2012

I'm renting a tent, if you wait last minute there may not be a tent available. My wedding is in September and we called our tent rental company to get a bigger size tent and they told us they had rented every tent out for that day; we called 3 months in advance even. I would rent a tent just to make sure, there's nothing like being at an outdoor wedding when it's raining...

kennazebrowsky

I would do the tent. They can do some really nice things and it makes a difference with the weather being unpredictable. We had an outdoor wedding at my dads in Feb. It was warm all week, but ended up being in the 60s the day of the wedding. So it helped keep people warm.

[Deleted User]

It looks like you can't rent a tent last minute so what is you backup plan if the weather is bad?

kmmssg

Keep in mind that there are things like wind and rain that make an appearanc whether invited or not.  You don't only have to worry about rain, but what about the sun also?  As a guest I would much prefer to have a tent than see the stars.  I really encourage you to focus on good logistics here - it will pay off in the long run.

AliMarieABC

OK, tent it is. My parents have a barn that they use as a garage. . . but it's loaded with crap and would be a nightmare to re arrange should we need to fit 10 tables in there last minute. I think I am going to get a tent, but have it set up in an alternative location as back up - then if the weather is nice we can have the tables set up in the garden area, and if not we can put them under the tent. And either way if guests need a retreat from the elements, we will have the tent there just incase. 

2013AugustBride

I am having an outdoor wedding and decided not to get the tents. Our venue sets up lights and i think a setting amongst the stars is so romantic.
our venue has the option of setting up inside if it does rain but that is the decision we make the day before the wedding.

In terms of your guests you could just put it on your wedding website to remind guests to bring a sweater or that it'll be right in the sun. Most people will dress appropriately for the weather if they know its an outdoor wedding

2013AugustBride

I am having an outdoor wedding and decided not to get the tents. Our venue sets up lights and i think a setting amongst the stars is so romantic.
our venue has the option of setting up inside if it does rain but that is the decision we make the day before the wedding.

In terms of your guests you could just put it on your wedding website to remind guests to bring a sweater or that it'll be right in the sun. Most people will dress appropriately for the weather if they know its an outdoor wedding