It is time for you to get your party started, but you overheard the meteorologist on the news last night say that there is a high chance of rain for today – at the same time as your tented event. What are you going to do if it rains on your tent & event?
You can never be too prepared. Even if you had never seen the weather forecast, you would still want to have a plan for your event in case the weather turns sour. The more prepared you are, the less stress you will face when things don’t work out the way you intended. Because, let’s face it, very rarely do things work out perfectly.
So, if you find yourself with an upcoming outdoor tented event planned, here are a few tips to prepare for the possibility of it raining on your tent & event. – just in case!
Side walls are a must!
Tents are wonderful inventions. See, they let you and your guests be outdoors, but they offer protection from the elements. These tents are made to withstand heavy rain. However, without side walls, the wind that often comes with heavy rain could blow the rainfall straight in on your guests.
When reserving your tent, make sure you include side walls as a precaution. They can be pulled back – allowing you to keep the open feel of the outdoors – but can also work to act as a barrier between your party and blowing rain in your tent & event.
Proper flooring can save the day!
Just as rain can blow in through the sides, it can also slide right in by running puddles – especially if you are on the slightest downslope. Unfortunately, even side walls can’t stop the water on the ground from seeping in. When it does, however, it is guaranteed to make the ground under your tent a total mess.
Walking on wet grass or in mud is no way to treat your guests – especially if this is a formal event. (Think about it – heels and mud? Yikes!) Not only is it an inconvenience, but it can also be hazardous. Mud can be very slippery and could result in someone falling and potentially getting injured. This is not a good thing.
To save all of this from happening and to avoid a disaster, it is best to make sure your tent has flooring. When erecting, the crew should make sure it is in the most level area possible. In addition, the flooring should be slightly raised, allowing any water that decides to seep through to go under the floor and not crash your party.
Keep in mind — this flooring is not only important for your guests’ safety, but also for any electronic equipment or furniture. It will keep everything from being affected by the rain water, reducing the possibility of damage.
Towels for everyone!
Not that you want to have a cabinet of fresh towels at your tent event, but it may come in handy. It may also be super appreciated by your guests. You can either have them stashed somewhere out of sight or perhaps use a nice, decorative bin or cabinet to hold them. No one even has to know they are there! However, when it starts to rain and your guests find themselves in need of drying off – you will have towels available.
Many guests come prepared for lots of things, but carrying a towel or an extra change of clothes isn’t likely one of them. So, plan for the worst and bring delight to your dripping, soaking wet guests!
Keep guests dry all the way to the entrance!
Depending on where you hold your tent event, it may or may not be feasible to provide a walkway from the parking area to the front entrance of the tent. If it is at all possible, create one. It doesn’t have to be covered, of course. The idea is to keep your guests from having to walk through wet grass and mud to get to your tent event – especially when just arriving. No one wants to be uncomfortable through the whole event because of what they had to go through just to get in the door!
You may also consider providing umbrellas for your guests to use once they arrive. Many people carry umbrellas in their cars, many do not. Many others have them, but illogically store them in their trunks. You providing the umbrella is a kind gesture. It will also ensure that your guests will be saved from the rain – if only just a little.
Let the rain lift you up, rather than bring you down!
The idea of rain taking over your tent & event will likely make you angry. It will make you discouraged and disappointed that you spent so much time and effort in planning for the event – and the rain just wants to ruin it. Well, get your frustrations out quickly and then move on – you have an event to tend to!
Don’t let the rain get you down. Instead, make light of it. If you are having a DJ (or even playing your own music) pick songs that go with the weather. For example, Here Comes the Rain Again by Eurythmics, Rain by The Beatles, Umbrella by Rihanna, I Love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbitt, or Purple Rain by Prince.
Make jokes about the rain and don’t complain to your guests. Make them feel relaxed, despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions, and all will go smoothly. This will all make the rain seem insignificant. It may also (hopefully) give your guests a chuckle. Let the rain lift you up, rather than bring you down!
When mother nature decides to unleash the rain on the exact day of your outdoor tent event, don’t fret. Welcome and embrace the weather. Besides, have you ever noticed that when it looks like rain and you decide to carry your umbrella – just in case – it never rains? It always just catches you off guard when you aren’t prepared. So, when planning, plan for it to rain on your tent & event. Then, if superstition holds true, you will have nothing but blue skies! Or, if it rains anyway – guess who is prepared? YOU!