As I was riding the bus to work (yes, I am all about public transportation these days…good for the environment, good for the pocket book), I was looking out the window as people were setting up on Peavey Plaza for a “Got Milk?” event.
All I could think about is the number of times clients would say that they didn’t feel like they needed a back-up plan for their outdoor event, because they had a direct line to the big Guy and just knew it wouldn’t rain on their event.
I’ve always said that is pretty much a guarantee that it will rain.
So here are a few things I’ve learned about doing outdoor events:
* I’ve mentioned this before, but rain falls at an angle and rarely falls straight down. Therefore, it is imperative that you have sidewalls available for the tent. If God is smiling down on you, you can always remove the sidewalls. (I do love that look…the open air)
* Are you thinking of setting up a tent at a bottom of a slope? It doesn’t even need to be a steep slope. Just remember that water runs downhill and the last thing you want is for your guests to be waterstaining their Manolo Blahnik’s.
* You may want to have fans set up. It’s July, hotter than a dickens and raining. The sidewalls are down and there is no circulation. You now have the equivalent to a sauna.
* Be sure if you are setting up a tent that it isn’t over a septic system. Why you ask? Well, if it is raining and the sidewalls are installed and it gets steamy, what basically happens is the air acts as a wick to the sewage, which manages to make itself well known. Soggy, smelly ground. Not to mention, unsafe and unsanitary.
* Have your rental company do a site visit prior to deciding on an outdoor site. Apres Party & Tent Rental has done this a number of times and even talked clients out of doing an outdoor event if the conditions of the site aren’t conducive.
* If you are going to be at the bottom of a slope, consider having a temporary floor put in. Apres Party & Tent Rental has installed wood floors for some of my outdoor weddings and events. It kept the female guests really happy as their heels didn’t keep sinking into the ground.
* And if everything is planned outside, it’s always a good idea to have a viable back-up plan.
* My best piece of advice when you are planning an outdoor event is hiring a wedding or event planner. They know all about back-up plans and have the experience to fight the weather. After all, it is hard to beat nature as far as beautiful backdrops to an event.
Photo Credit Olive Juice Studios for Mother of the Bride and Apres Party & Tent Rental
