Outdoor dinner without a tent?

This seems like a bad idea, mostly because of the whole rain thing.

AND how would I have lighting outside? OK, darn.

What LM said. Where are you located? I am not the fan of eating a nice dinner outside but you know your guests better than we do.

I know $1000 is a lot of money but compared to the stress of worrying about the weather and the impression it will give, I would say don't do it.

eta: Doesn't the venue have lighting?

Yea, it would be safer to cut something else out of your budget.

Near Boston, so weather is unpredictable. You guys are right. Tina--not outdoor lighting, at least not enough.

Are you have a complete seating dinner? This could be a make or break decision.

A lot of places have where you can put a tent on hold with a deposit and since you have over a year before your wedding, start saving and put the money it would cost for a tent in a "rainy day fund" (pun totally intended). I'm having an outdoor reception and didn't realize they could hold a tent by just a small deposit and now that I'm so close, I'm out of money and am using a local park with pavilions as my rain plan. Not ideal at all.

And lighting could be achieved by lighting packages from your DJ, venue, or figuring out "patio" lighting. If there are no outlets outside, you'll have to rent a generator. How were you going to light everything outside even without a tent?

It is a horrible idea to not have a back up plan. Rain, lighting, electricity are all issues.

Battery-operated string lights around the poles? I don't know.

I know! It was a bad idea.

We did it successfully with our son's wedding last June 22nd. Backyard, no tent, string lights over the tables. And the weather was perfect. Was fun to watch all the people still under the lights at 10:00. It is a gamble when it comes to rain but LOTS of brides have outdoor weddings and no rain.

Perhaps you should wait till more brides who've had outdoor weddings have chimed in. And maybe you'll have some who gambled and lost.

Having been a caterer, I would never let a couple plan a party without a great 'plan B"; some place will let you reserve a tent and then cancel it if it's 100% sure you don't need it. You lose your deposit.

Tents offer more than just protection against rain; decor possibilities, lighting, shade, and the definition of the party space. Many musicians, dj's and caterers will not do a party without a tent.

I know it's a lot, but you do need it.

I am using a tent for all the reasons Celia mentioned - definition of space, a place to hang the overhead lighting, decor, shade during the cocktial hour...the list goes on and on. I was shocked at the cost, so I understand your thought process. I really had to think about it, and it came down to what I would expect from an outdoor wedding...if it rains or gets windy, I have the tent (with walls if needed) to protect everyone. The weather should cooperate, but I was in a wedding about two years ago that did not have a tent and we had completely unseasonal monsoon-style rain. It was a nightmare! So justify the tent, even with the cost.

I know, the al fresco receptions look so pretty on Pinterest, don't they? Many of them are stylized shoots. We did a stylized shoot in February. In four feet of snow. When it was literally 6 degrees out. With a bridesmaid in a sleeveless dress. With a sweetheart table sitting in the snow. There's no way it would ever happen, but damn, it looked pretty.

Yes, you need the tent. It's part of doing an outdoor wedding.

I'm doing a garden wedding and as much as I liked the idea of not having a tent - string lights crossing overhead to make the ceiling, gorgeous views across the garden and river - I knew I had to have the tent (in fact I'm having two, one large one for dinner and a small separate one over the patio area with the bar and dance floor ). Even though the weather is pretty good in Michigan in August I know that if it rains we need to make sure we can still go ahead.

I think it's safest to have the tent despite the cost. I know it's a big chunk of our budget but it's worth it.

We are not getting a tent for our outdoor reception, but we do have a community center (neighbors the rose garden) for our back up plan. You need to have a plan for rain.

I'm planning a rooftop ceremony/reception with no tent. Just make sure you have a plan B in case it rains.

Even here in sunny California during the summer, we get occasional thunderstorms in the Sierra foothills and at Lake Tahoe. Don't forget the bugs in the summer, too. Being eaten by bugs is no fun for guests.

As a planner who offers packages, I ALWAYS have a Plan B for rain. For my couples who are doing their own planning, but have an hour of concierge services from me for their DWs, I ALWAYS mention that they should have a Plan B. They don't always choose to do so, but I remind them of it!!

Where are you located? Where I am in July sunset isn't until 8pm so it will be sunny and hot. Cut costs in some other detail. Not at the expense of guest comfort

I would get the tent. Weather is unpredictable and you don't want it to ruin your day!