For couples planning their wedding, poor weather is probably one of the most daunting prospects that needs to be considered. It is one of the elements completely out of control {to some extent} and my advice to all of my couples who worry about rain on their wedding day is to create a ‘Rainy Day Wedding Backup Plan’
And because I see this worry often with my couples, and I hate to think of lots more couples worrying about this potential part of their special day, I’ve pulled together all of my advice to share as tips in this blog post. Hopefully there will be some great nuggets of information that will be of super benefit to encouraging you to embrace ALL WEATHER on your wedding day!
Ok, so no matter what time of year you choose to have your wedding and celebrate – there will ALWAYS be a chance of some sort of poor, cold and/or wet weather. By planning for this and accepting it’s likely, already you will feel less worried about it actually happening. Follow some of these tips below and see if you feel even better after…
1// Embrace the weather!
Firstly, embrace the weather! All weather! Aim to come to terms with the fact that the element of weather is simply out of your control BUT you can prepare for most eventualities. Once you get your mindset ready for this, then you can really make sure you fully enjoy your day with NO weather worry!
2// Create a rainy day wedding backup plan for your outdoor ceremony
With your wedding co-ordinator or vicar, registrar or other professionals that are part of your wedding day, create a rainy day backup plan. Most venues will have one in place already – so ask them about it! Or, if you don’t have a wedding co-ordinator – put your own plan in place. Where will your ceremony take place indoors? Will it be ready and set up if you make a decision on the day?
3// Outdoor ceremonies cut off point
Have a clear ‘cut off’ time to make decision on whether your outdoor ceremony will be outdoors! Most venues will have this in place – but for those that do not have a wedding co-ordinator, make a plan and stick to it. Time is of the essence when making these decisions on the day.
4// Trust your photographer
Your photographer will have experience in how they have dealt with poor weather at weddings before. Speak to them. Talk over how they work with the rain and wind. It might be that through discussions you can contribute some creative ideas! But if you create a plan together, then you’ll both know how to react and collaborate on the day itself.
5// Be flexible
Prepare to be flexible with the timings and structure of your day. Of course there will be some restrictions, ie. Your ceremony time and hot food servings will have to remain the same, but otherwise aim to be flexible. If there’s a break in the rain, be ready to head out with your photographer.
6// Add WHITE brollies to your budget
Make buying WHITE brollies part of your budget and add it to your ‘To Do’ list! Huge, almost golfer size, are really useful! More for keeping you as a bride or groom dry, and for your bridemaids too! “Why white?” I hear you ask… Well, simply because they do not throw any colour casts onto skin tones or outfits, IN FACT, a white brolly can really help to enhance skin tones as it diffuses really bright, direct light. So white brollies for the win all round!
7// Wellington boots!
Have a pair of welly boots available on the day. Treat yourself to a new pretty pair! When you are ready to venture out for photographs, then you can pop these on under your dress and save spoiling your shoes. No one will know any the wiser until you lift your dress to protect it – and that can make for some great natural photographs too!
8// Waterproof makeup
At your makeup trial, or if you are doing your makeup yourself, then invest in some quality waterproof makeup {trial it if new to make sure it suits your skin etc}. This isn’t just important for in case you meet some unpleasant weather during your day – but also SUPER useful for teary eyed moments too! {Believe me I know – I cry at weddings – that’s a whole other story!}
9// Existing dry spaces
For when you haven’t your brolly to hand, make use of all possible dry areas! Archways, doorways, under canopies and trees. There are more spots to keep dry than we often realise! This will help to keep you not only dry, but worry less about hair, make up and dresses, shoes and suits.
10// Consider your guests!
Make sure that you have areas for guests to shelter and extra brollies on hand! These don’t necessarily need to be white brollies – but it does help if you want to keep co-ordinated! For mainly outdoor weddings, if you do not want your guests to rush into your marquee without seeing it first, then make sure you create some smaller covered areas for them to stay dry. Or make sure that there’s lots of places at your venue.
11// Don’t let worry take over your excitement
Lastly, but by no means least, don’t let worry take over your day. It’s one thing that no one has control of – what will be will be – just be prepared.
So I hope these tips help to reduce some of your worries. Let’s face it – it doesn’t often rain ALL day – so it’s unlikely you will need to fully implement all of these ideas. But knowing that you can if and when you need to, will completely put your mind at ease. And to add – there are also some incredible plus points to having rain during your day. Not only does it create some stories, but it enhances the colours of nature too. And it can create drama and atmosphere in otherwise, rather dull skies. Now there’s a silver lining!
If you are looking for your wedding photographer and prefer the more natural and relaxed style of photography, then please explore my website and/or get in touch.
Smile, Jeni x
Jeni Lowe Photography
Leave a Reply