Outdoor garden weddings carry weather risk that furniture choices need to reflect. The right materials handle rain, soft ground and temperature variation without failing on the day.
Outdoor garden weddings carry weather risk that furniture choices need to reflect. The right materials handle rain, soft ground and temperature variation without failing on the day.
Outdoor garden weddings carry weather risk that furniture choices need to reflect. The right materials handle rain, soft ground and temperature variation without failing on the day.
Polyrattan and resin chairs hold up in rain without warping, rusting or absorbing moisture. They can be wiped dry quickly if a shower arrives between the ceremony and the reception. Painted metal chairs fare well outdoors provided the coating is intact. Untreated timber is less forgiving: sustained rain can cause swelling and staining, and damp timber transfers to clothing.
Clear polycarbonate chairs can be used outdoors in dry conditions but need to be dried thoroughly before stacking. Water pooling inside a stack can cause suction bonding between chairs that is difficult to separate safely. Check with your hire company on the recommended outdoor conditions for each chair type before specifying them for an outdoor reception.
Chiavari chairs in aluminium finish are suitable for outdoor use. Resin chiavari chairs offer a further step up in weather tolerance. Gold-painted wood chiavari is less suited to wet conditions.
Rubber feet on table legs prevent sinking on lawns. After rain, even firm ground can soften enough for a narrow table leg to tilt the surface. On soft ground, flat boards under the table legs distribute the weight. The hire company may not supply boards; check with the venue whether flat staging boards or matting are available.
Low-legged furniture is more stable on uneven lawns than tall poseur tables. Test all furniture for level on arrival before dressing any tables. A rocking table under a full table setting is much harder to correct than an empty one.
Parasols need a heavy base, 25kg or more, to stay safe in light wind. Position them to shade the table without creating a vertical obstruction that blocks guests' sightlines across the table. A parasol centred on a 6ft round table works; one positioned off-centre over a trestle table can block the view for guests at one end.
For larger shaded areas, Expo Hire's gazebo hire provides a structure over a defined zone rather than individual table coverage. Gazebos suit cocktail areas and lounge zones better than formal dining spaces.
Temperature drops after sundown even on warm summer evenings. Position patio heaters between tables rather than at the perimeter of the dining area. One heater per 6 to 8 guests is a guide for outdoor warmth. Guests further than 3m from a heater feel the difference.
Festoon lights strung over outdoor dining tables create atmosphere at minimal setup cost. LED table centres and glowing poseur tables suit evening receptions. LED furniture is more visible outdoors under a dark sky than indoors, which amplifies the effect. Coordinate lighting style with your furniture choice before ordering: a contemporary LED scheme suits resin and polycarbonate furniture; it looks incongruous alongside traditional wooden tables and cross-back chairs.
A rattan sofa with two matching armchairs and a low table creates a focal point for the relaxed part of the reception. Expo Hire's rattan range covers indoor and outdoor use and holds up through variable weather. Place the lounge set in a sheltered spot, near a wall or hedge, rather than in an open area exposed to wind. A well-positioned rattan lounge set becomes the gathering point for guests who want to sit and talk during the dancing.
Browse the full outdoor furniture range for chairs, tables and accessories suited to garden weddings across England and Wales.
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