How to Have a Beautiful, Weather-Safe Outdoor Wedding
Experience the benefits of an alfresco wedding beneath a clear-top tent!
Many brides and grooms long for an open-air, alfresco wedding reception under the stars; however, their location or the time of year in which their wedding is taking place does not always allow for such a venue.
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Many brides and grooms long for an open-air, alfresco wedding reception under the stars; however, their location or the time of year in which their wedding is taking place does not always allow for such a venue. Luckily, there are options for couples who want to have an outdoor wedding that's also safe for inclement weather. One such way to achieve this is with a clear-top tent. The translucent ceiling allows the sunlight to stream in and offers views of the surrounding landscape; however, it also will keep guests dry in case it does happen to rain on your special day.
The bride and groom from the wedding pictured above were one such couple who wanted an entirely alfresco wedding but chose the safer option, which turned out to be the focal point of the celebration. "We wanted our reception to be outdoors as much as possible," shares the bride. "However, given our New England location and the high chances of rain and nightly storms, we knew we couldn't risk it. Fortunately, we were able to work with our wedding planner to create a structure that gave the necessary coverage needed, but didn't obstruct the view of the lake – and still gave us the 'outdoor' feeling and look we had hoped for."
Many couples have experienced the exact same scenario, and we hope the images from real weddings below will inspire your own ceremony or reception. More than just a weather-safe option, clear-top tents can suspend greenery, florals, drapery, or chandeliers to create a true wow factor for your nuptials. Be sure to click on each photo to see more from these exquisite events!
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Photo by Tec Petaja; Floral & Event Design by Amaryllis Floral & Event Design
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Photo by Perez Photography; Planning & Design by Diamond Affairs Weddings & Special Events; Floral Design by Bella Flora of Dallas
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Photo by The Day; Floral & Event Design by HMR Designs
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Photo by Karlisch Photography; Planning & Design by DFW Events
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Photo by Rebecca Walker for The Day; Planning & Design by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants
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Photo by Style & Story Creative
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Photo by Chrisman Studios; Rentals by Chameleon Chair Collection
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Photo by Robert Evans Studio
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Photo by Grant Daniels Photography; Planning & Design by Diamond Affairs Weddings & Special Events; Floral Design by Bella Flora of Dallas
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Photo by Mi Belle Photographers; Planning & Design by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants; Rentals by Revelry Event Designers
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Photo by Lin & Jirsa Photography; Floral Design by The Hidden Garden
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Photo by Samuel Lippke Studios; Planning & Design by Geller Events; Rentals by Revelry Event Designers
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Photo by Kortnee Kate; Planning & Design by Viva Bella Events; Rentals by Chameleon Chair Collection
View more wedding planning ideas and tips here, discover how to deal with rain on your wedding day, and see ideas for rustic centerpiece designs.
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/filters:no_upscale()/filters:strip_icc()/images/Wentz_edit20100320_1648.original.jpg "Beach Wedding Arch")
/filters:no_upscale()/filters:strip_icc()/images/b86453c25140d38e77b9253a85fd8153.original.jpg "Inside Weddings Magazine - Winter 2025 Cover")
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