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Savvy August 2018

Outdoor wedding rain scare

Taylor, on August 12, 2018 at 12:26 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 11

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Hi all!
My fiancé and I are getting married in two weeks (!). We’re having an outdoor wedding (the ceremony and reception are both outside at someone’s not-big-enough-to-hold-our-guests house). The venue was free and BEAUTIFUL, but there is an 80% chance of thunderstorms in the forecast. I know weather changes all the time, but I’m a little panicked. We thought about renting a tent, but I don’t know if we’ll be able to book one in our small town or if they even have one big enough to house a ceremony and reception for 100 people. The lady whose yard we’re using goes to our church, and she’s super nice. She’s so nice that she offered to rent the church for us, but I really don’t want to do that if it doesn’t even rain.... especially because it’s a Methodist church and they have a TON of rules (like not moving the pulpit and having certain tassels out), plus I don’t like the layout of the actual sanctuary for a wedding. The entire building is outdated, including the bridal suite (we’re talking very ‘70s wallpaper from floor to ceiling). What should we do???

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11 Comments

Latest activity by MOB So Cal, on August 12, 2018 at 10:37 AM

Devoted April 2019
Gabby · on August 12, 2018 at 12:46 AM
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Rent the tent if the yard is big enough better safe than sorry we did that last year for 2 of my girls wedding .there was chance of rain thankfully it shifted and rain didn't occur til 7. Ceremony was 4. So 3 hours was under the tent . It worked out.
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Savvy December 2026
Skye · on August 12, 2018 at 1:05 AM
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Oooooor.... And this is just coming from my "don't care if it rains or not" thinking.... party in the rain lol
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VIP December 2026
Chariece & Sterling · on August 12, 2018 at 3:33 AM
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If possible rent the tent unless you have another indoor back up plan.
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VIP September 2017
MrsMcK · on August 12, 2018 at 9:46 AM
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How do you not have a backup plan? Get the tent, or multiple tents.
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Savvy August 2018
Taylor · on August 12, 2018 at 9:52 AM
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We did for rain (rent the tent), but this is a chance of thunderstorms. The reception is around a pool. There are so many other things to think about when you have 3 months to plan a wedding, so it didn’t really occur to us to even consider there being lightning.
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Savvy August 2018
Taylor · on August 12, 2018 at 9:54 AM
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And pay for my hair and dress just to get them soaking wet? Thanks for the advice I’m just a little more “everything has to go as planned”
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Champion November 2016
LB · on August 12, 2018 at 10:09 AM
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Frankly a tent might not be enough with thunderstorms. I'd have multiple backup plans if i were you (that's what we did for our outdoor wedding) one if it's raining but not so bad that the tent cant handle it and one if it's raining so bad that the rain will come in the sides of the tent.

To other brides: outdoor weddings are beautiful but you can't just hope it all works out. 1 oz. of preparation is worth 2 lbs of cure...
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Master January 2021
AshleyR · on August 12, 2018 at 10:21 AM
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Can you rent a tent with sides? Like one of those enclosed ones? They’re very expensive but it’s either that or the church it seems.
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Savvy August 2018
Taylor · on August 12, 2018 at 10:24 AM
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We’re talking with the lady whose house we’re using today. Hopefully she’ll have some ideas/offers. And I’ll be calling the only tent place in town tomorrow to see what they have available.
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Master July 2018
Mcskipper · on August 12, 2018 at 10:32 AM
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Rent a tent. It doesn’t have to be from “the only place in town” — most event rental companies travel (my tent is coming from a place like 45 min out of my town). Make sure to get sidewalks (they’re not a ton extra but the insurance of having them is worth it even if you don’t use it)

for what hat it’s worth though, two weeks is WAY too early to predict a thunderstorm. Get a tent regardless, but also, stop watching the weather. You’ll only drive yourself crazy. My wedding is the same day and I haven’t even glanced at the forecast.
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January 2019
MOB So Cal · on August 12, 2018 at 10:37 AM
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When you're talking with tent companies also ask them under what circumstances their tents will be appropriate. In a super heavy downpour, will they work -- or leak? And what about thunderstorms? Most tents have metal support structures -- probably not a great place to have 100 people huddled during an electrical storm. I'm sure this is stressful, but better you come up with plans now than the day before. Hang in!
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