There’s so much to love about spring, but the cooler weather and more frequent rainfall aren’t among them. The chance of rain, however, is no reason to put off an outdoor event, not when there are beautiful marquees available for hire, and not when there are so many beautiful ways to decorate them while weather-proofing your outdoor event.
This guide covers all the top ways to fully weather-proof your event, to ensure that nothing, not rain, not cold, and certainly not a gust of wind, can sour your party.
Whether you’re looking for tips on how to plan for a fully weather-proof party or just looking for Plan B alternatives, this guide covers everything you need to know to throw a spectacular event this spring:
Hire an Outdoor Event Weather Backup Marquee
It’s always a good idea to hire a marquee for an outdoor event, even if you don’t actually end up using it. Our marquee hire London options are fully customisable, allowing you to hire the right size you need for the space, as well as any additional fixtures, fittings, or even furniture you need to make your event come to life.
By planning a marquee hire spring weather UK backup, or designing your garden party around a marquee, you can ensure that your event goes off rain or shine. There are also so many ways to dress up the marquee, to really elevate your day, making them a top choice for big bashes from weddings to birthdays, too.
Extend the Marquee with a Canopy Tent
Another great way to ensure that your outdoor event goes smoothly is by using a canopy tent. Now, canopy tents do provide minimal protection from the rain and wind, which is why they actually work best alongside a marquee.
For example, you can set up a tent outside your marquee’s door to act as an awning or even a porch. These tents are easier to set up, making them a great way to customise your marquee in the event of rain. Just remember to lay down that temporary subfloor underneath if you do!
Check the Ground
Another top tip to ensure your day goes off without a hitch is to check the ground you’re working with. If it’s been raining all week before your party, for example, chances are the ground will be soft, even muddy. That’s why having a marquee with flooring is essential, as it ensures you’ve got a stable place to eat, drink, and be merry no matter the weather.
You can, of course, plan for additional contingencies. If the ground is still soft and muddy, but the day itself is beautiful, you can use temporary sub-floors like rubber grass or interlocking matting to give your guests something stable to stand on outside, but only if you have it on hand, so rent these ahead of time along with your marquee.
Keep Things Warm
No marquee rain planning in the UK is complete without also considering the temperature. Rain or even just a cool breeze on your party day can drop the temperature substantially, which is why you need multiple heating options:
· Electric Heaters
Electric heaters are essential for any outdoor spring party. While yes, they can work outside, they are most effective in a semi-enclosed space like a marquee. You can set up a few electric heaters to keep guests at a comfortable temperature, allowing them to dine and mingle without a hitch.
· Outdoor Fire Pits
Outdoor firepits are another great way to warm up a spring party, at least if the weather cooperates. Just remember that cities typically have a smoke ban, so you’ll need a smokeless fire pit that runs off of propane or a similar solution if you’re in the area.
· Blankets
Blankets are another great way to keep your guests warm and comfortable. Include a few blankets on the back of chairs and all other lounging areas. This gives guests who do feel a chill the opportunity to warm up with ease, and, since they can take the blanket with them, it keeps your party mobile.
Décor Tips for Rain-or-Shine Outdoor Parties
A marquee can often be all you need to ensure your outdoor party goes off without a hitch, even if you only use it as a backup.
If you put effort into decorating it, however, you can ensure your party is a success, rain or shine, from the outset.
· Drapery
One of the best ways to ensure that your outdoor party looks great, no matter the weather, is to use drapery. Fabric is hung from the ceiling of your marquee and along the walls. Not only does this soften and elevate the look inside, but it also works as a sound barrier so you and your guests don’t notice the pitter-patter of rain (if it falls), and the sound of wind is also cut down.
You can also use drapes to play with lighting. Choose a warm tone, or even go bold with a soft pink or buttery yellow, and you can mimic the warmth of the sun inside your marquee even if it’s grey outside.
· Use Ambient Lighting
If the sky is dark because it’s overcast and raining, then the best way to salvage any outdoor party is to make it cosy and romantic inside your marquee. Candles, lanterns, and string lights are excellent ways to do this.
Candles, in particular, can offer both that literal and figurative warmth that can help elevate your space. Use them liberally as part of your centrepieces or tablescapes to add that romantic element that looks stunning during bad weather.
· Ensure You Have the Dance Floor Inside
Hire a dance floor as part of your marquee hire. If there isn’t enough space to have both dining and dancing, simply use fold-away tables and chairs, at least for the dining tables set up on top of the dance hall. You can reposition the chairs along the walls to ensure everyone has ample seating.
· Bring the Garden to You
One of the reasons why outdoor parties start kicking off in spring is that nature is beautiful. If it’s raining or gusty, however, you may not get as much out of the outdoors as you’d like. The best way to give yourself a backup, then, beyond just organising for a marquee hire spring weather UK backup, is to decorate with the garden elements.
For best results, look what’s outside, and bring it in. Any flower that’s outside should be brought inside (though go to the florist for this). If there’s a beautiful blossom tree outside that’s budding pink, use pink blossoms in your table arrangements.
You can also use moss, branches, and other bits of greenery in a similar manner.
By sticking to the flora just outside your marquee tent, you can effectively bring the visual effect (and even the aroma) of the garden or outdoor space in.
· Create a Photo Backdrop
A marquee can be a great photo backdrop, both inside and outside. All you need is to choose a section of the wall and dress it up. If you have drapes, you already have a great background to start with. Follow it up with a pretty arch, good lighting, and some props, and you’ve got a great photo op spot.
The best part about this is that it’s fairly flexible. If the weather is good, you can flip the backdrop so that it’s outside the tent (though you may need to get a stand to add drapes or another backdrop to complete it).
Plan for Back-Up Indoor Activities
An outdoor party usually includes plenty of outdoor activities, but if it’s raining or the weather is just miserable, those can quickly be abandoned. That’s why it’s smart to have a selection of indoor activities to make up for it, particularly if kids will be attending your party.
Board games, cards, a regular-sized Jenga set, and more can all be easily enjoyed inside at the tables, and, most importantly, are also easy to keep stored away until you need them.
Diversify Your Sound System
If it rains or is particularly windy, there’s a chance that sound may carry differently in the marquee. That’s why you need to ensure you’re installing a 360° sound system in all four corners. This way, you can ensure everyone hears the speeches or music without the need to crank up the volume.
Plan for Bad Weather from the Start
If you want your event to go smoothly, always plan as if the day is going to rain, guaranteed. Since the weather is cooler in general, having a marquee tent dressed up beautifully is a great way to ensure that, at minimum, the dining portion of your event goes off without a hitch.
Plan for it to rain, and that way, if it’s a beautiful sunny day, you can easily just take elements you planned to have indoors (from activities to seating to even the entire dance floor) and take them outside.
