Every bridal couple’s biggest fear is that it may rain on their wedding day, especially if the event is outdoors. In some cultures, like the Hindu culture, rain on your wedding day is considered good luck. Why? Because a wet knot is difficult to untie; so when you 'tie the knot' on a rainy day it is believed your marriage will be just as difficult to unravel.
So, while it is important to be prepared, it is also important to relax and go with the flow (pun intended)! The best thing to do is to have a plan for if it rains or is especially chilly on the day.
Here are a few tricks to help you deal with and even embrace less than perfect weather conditions (and some ideas for dry umbrella photos if it doesn't rain):
Firstly, check your contract and/or call your venue and chat about their recommendations and the options they have available to you on the day.
For outdoor ceremony areas, we recommend checking if there is either an indoor or covered area for you to move the ceremony to onsite at your venue. Remember to ask if there will be staff there to help move and set things up as well as for an estimated timeframe.
If there isn’t an alternative indoor area at your venue to use, consider getting a marquee/tent or some umbrellas for you and your guests to use. Depending on your venue, it may be advisable to have an alternative venue just in case the weather makes it difficult to use your original venue.
For outdoor receptions, check that your venue has a second space available to use for guests to socialise or if they can convert the indoor ceremony area. Remember to also ask about staff and an estimated timeframe. Alternatively, you can hire a marquee or tent.
Don’t forget to ensure that the walkway, stairs, roads and any other areas are safe for your guests to use while wet. Remember to make sure (as far as possible) all of these areas are also well-lit to avoid injury as it gets darker.
Indoor reception spaces can be converted into ceremony spaces last minute if need be. That being said, when you decided to have an outdoor ceremony it was likely because you wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of being in nature or a more natural setting.
So, if you are getting married in a season where it is likely to rain or are worried it is very likely to rain on your wedding day but don’t want to lose that vibe of your venue’s ceremony area? Try basing your receptions décor on a fresh, natural style.
The outdoor-in look is stunning and will help you keep some of the original intensions behind your choice in an outdoor ceremony area.
Your photographer will likely have scoped out your venue prior to the day of and will also be keeping an eye on the weather. If it rains you have a few options for your photos.
If the ground is just wet, all you will need to do is be aware not to get your dresses and/or suits dirty and change or put coverings over your shoes to protect them from getting dirty. Maybe invest in some wellington boots.
If the rain is intermittent, you can hop in and out to take photos and/or find some stunning covered areas to take photos. You can also use umbrellas.
If it is raining heavily, you may want to consider taking your photos indoors on the day. If you really want outdoor photos, ask your bridal party and those who you are closest to you to come back for a redo on a day with better weather.
Don’t mind the possibility of changing? Chat to your photographer about doing some in the rain couple photos (think 'The Notebook' rain kiss scene).
See how you can use umbrellas, ponds, pools, decks, wet foliage, and if it is dark enough outside and your photographer has waterproof lighting or the venue has outdoor lights they can turn on as a backdrop to highlight the rain in some of the photos to take different and breathtaking photos (absolute chef's kiss).
While it may not be the couple photos you had initially hoped for, they will be stunning and a true reflection of how the day went and your ability to embrace hiccups as a couple.
Your guests will need to be updated on your plans for if it rains as well. Will the ceremony move? Will the venue change? Do they need to bring a change of clothes or an umbrella?
This will prevent any unnecessary confusion and delays on the day. Use your wedding website to send guests updates or include the plan there to begin with if you suspect it may rain.
If you aren’t using a wedding website, then you will need to call/email/message all your guests (we are happy it is not us). To make this easier, we suggest you export your Happly guest list and tick off your guests as you have called/emailed/messaged them.
If it is going to rain on the day or it will be miserable, we recommend some cute ‘bad weather’ themed guest favours like blankets, pashminas, and raincoats.
Other nice to haves are umbrellas, towels, and a hot drink stand. If your venue has a fireplace and you can use it, that would also add to the overall atmosphere of the day/evening.
Leave some wiggle room for extra expenses such as a last minute marquee or tent, heaters, hot drink stand, blankets, etc. You may even need a second venue should the weather end up being a bit extreme or if it makes it difficult to use your original venue for whatever reason.
Chat with your coordinator about ideas for a plan for if it rains. If you don't have a coordinator, bounce ideas off of your bridal party and venue. Make sure you have confirmed your vendors are able to work if it rains and what they need to do so.
Chat with your hair and makeup artist(s) or anyone who will be in photos and doing their own makeup to try and make sure all looks are as waterproof and/or fixable on the day as possible. You can even try give your attire some protection by waterproofing it with a spray (like Scotchgard). We do, however, recommend taking your attire to a professional to avoid damaging or discolouring it.
Make sure your bridal party, partner, venue, and coordinator all know what the backup plan is for the day should it rain at any point. What goes where and who's responsible for X, Y, Z, etc.
Make a timeline that includes extra time for delays caused by rain (such as traffic and having to rearrange the venue).
Leading up to the day make sure to check the forecast regularly so you can be better prepared for the day and any changes that need to be made.
Join some Facebook traffic groups or have someone regularly checking for any accidents or traffic jams on the day of. Heavy weather can cause accidents, road closures and therefore travel delays and dangers. Assign someone in advance to keep track of these possible issues on the day. They can then get the MC to inform guests if there are any major problems on the roads.
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