How to Plan for a Rainy Wedding Day
How to Plan for a Rainy Wedding Day.
They say rain on your wedding day is good luck but how on earth do you plan for it? After all, you’ve spent months scouring and securing every detail of your big day. But if you fail to account for those surprising weather moments, you’ll end up with a logistical nightmare. Here are a few steps to ensure, rain or shine, your event goes off without a hitch.
· If you’re marrying outside, consider a “plan B” for the ceremony and/or reception. You may have a wedding location that rarely gets rain or maybe your region is in the middle of a drought. Regardless, never discount Mother Nature! Always search for a second option in case the weather goes south. Maybe your venue has an indoor space that’s ideal for a ceremony or maybe you need to secure a tent rental. Whatever the plan, make sure you’re covered!
· And make sure your guests know about any location changes. Provide adequate signs or instructions so they don’t miss a second of your special day. Better yet, include an “in case of rain” note on the invite.
· Connect with your vendors about alternate plans. If a rainy wedding day is a concern, check with your vendors to find out how they may be affected. They may or may not need to alter their plans. Be patient and remember: they are professionals.
· Plan for adequate food and beverage storage. You don’t want all of that delicious food and drink to get warm, go bad or worse – get soaked. When you do a walk-through of your venue, ask about additional storage to keep your food and beverage top-notch. If there is none available, secure separate storage just in case.
· Consider how you’ll get to and from the ceremony and reception. Are you walking or traveling by car? Make sure you have plenty of umbrellas on-hand – and trusted friends! – in case a rain cloud appears overhead. Big towels will also come in handy!
· Always bring a change of shoes. Those fancy stilettos may be your dream pair of shoes to walk down the aisle in, but if you find yourself sinking in the wet ground, be sure to have a backup. Besides, funky rain boots could make for cute photos!
· Consult with your photographer in the event rain is in the forecast. You can work with them to come up with creative alternatives at your wedding location. After all, if they are a professional, they’ve probably done this once or twice. Plus, rainy photos with spotlights or cool umbrella shots are usually magnificent!
· Rain-proof your hair and makeup. A rainy day has the potential to wreak havoc on your hair and makeup. But stop the drops in their tracks by wearing a messy up-do or a flower crown atop wavy locks. Pack a hair dryer just in case. And of course, waterproof mascara and primer are no-brainers.
· Incorporate a flexible timeline. Heavy rain might mean delays in your timeline of events. Be flexible and allow for a few extra minutes in case you need to make a quick dash inside or change from an outdoor to an indoor affair.
The more prepared you are for a rainy wedding day, the more relaxed you’ll be no matter what’s overhead. Stay on top of the weather at least 10 days out. And in the event it does rain, stay positive. After all, you can’t control the weather - only how you react to it. Be graceful, be flexible and if nothing else, dance in it! The photos will be priceless.
Top Photo: Melissa Oholendt | Bottom Photo: Kaoverii Silva
