Photo Credit: Bidgee via Wikimedia
In a perfect world, it would never rain on your wedding day, and the wind would only be a comfortable breeze.
Earlier today I was sitting in my family room listening to the rain. Not a relaxing patter on the window. It is thundering and coming down hard. I mean HARD! So hard, that even with a rain coat and umbrella you’d get drenched.
The sun was shining not just 20 minutes ago! It was nice enough to do a little yard work, or sit outside and have lunch. But now we’ve got a thunderstorm.
“Why in the world is she talking about the weather?” you’re probably thinking. Just to make the point that weather can turn quickly.
From weddings held at parks and shelter houses, to backyards, and venues with lovely outdoor settings – outdoor weddings are on the rise. And with outdoor weddings, while you want the weather to be perfect (rain on your wedding day – no one wants that!), you’ve got to contend with the weather.
Although you want perfect weather, in the real world, Mother Nature may have other ideas. And it’s not just rain. There may be wind storms, an unusual cold front, or high humidity or a heat wave.
Photo Credit: OpenClipart-Vectors via Pixabay
You can’t really combat this (the weather is going to be what it’s going to be), but you can plan ahead in case the weather isn’t cooperative.
What to Do About Rain On Your Wedding Day
What if you have rain on your wedding day (or other inclement weather)?
Have a “Plan B” for your wedding with an alternate indoor (or appropriately sheltered/air conditioned/heated) site, and discuss this with your wedding coordinator, as other set-up logistics will be affected. Inform your venue manager and other vendors of your “Plan B,” and let them know who the person is who will designate if “Plan B” has to be put in place.
Photo Credit: Jackie via Flickr
Some things to take into consideration:
1) Your other vendors needs
• How long does your florist need to set up? Is she decorating an arch and placing lots of flowers along the sides of the aisle, or does she just have to set down a couple floral arrangements?
• Your photographer, videographer, dj, musicians all have equipment that cannot get wet.
2) The comfort of your guests.
• Will there be high humidity, compounded by guests having to sit in the sun?
• Even if the rain has stopped, has the ground been left so slick and muddy that it is unsafe to walk on?
3) The proximity of the site for “Plan B” from your original site
• Is it close enough to be able to direct guests to the “building on the right” instead of the “clearing on the left?”
• Or will your guests have to drive to a second location?
Most of the time plans go as intended, and here’s hoping that you have beautiful weather on your wedding day. But, have a solid “Plan B” in place, and remember, you’re marrying the love of your life, and celebrating this with your closest friends and family!
Photo Credit: Olexy @Ohurtsov via Pixabay
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
For more wedding planning tips and ideas, contact me today at [email protected] or at 937-235-2586 or 937-581-3647!
When I worked in NYC back in the late 90s, my boss planned her wedding for the second Saturday in March, and there was a BLIZZARD that day! She had to wait until Monday to have the wedding, and some of her out-of-town guests never made it. Talk about having to go with the flow. What a great post – to encourage couples to have a Plan B. It always seems a good idea if you’re doing outdoor things.
Thanks Marcie. Sometimes it seems that Mother Nature didn’t get the memo about an event going on. Glad you liked the post.
Plan B sounds like a pretty important plan to have in place – as Mother Nature often has a mind of her own!