Every bride knows the dread that comes with seeing those grey clouds loom over her wedding day. But did you know there are actually a lot of things you can do to make sure your rainy-day wedding goes smoothly? You’ve planned your big day for so long and have spent a fortune doing so. You know exactly what dress you want, how you want your bridesmaids to look, which beautiful decorations you want, which cake to wow your guests with, and more! After all, it’s one of the most important days in your life.
But there’s a certain level of unpredictability that comes when you’re preparing for your wedding, especially if you’re celebrating in an area prone to rain. It’s also natural to have a few hiccups. So it’s important to provide an alternative and make sure everybody enjoys themselves even if the weather doesn’t go to plan.
Follow our below tips to make sure that you’re ready and not worried if a rainy-day wedding is on the horizon!
1. Talk To Your Venue
Most wedding venues have logistics in place for backup plans. So first of all, check what your venue does if there is rain on your wedding day. Ask if they already have a contingency plan in place that can adapt to your needs, and ask about any resources and indoor spaces if you’re wedding is outdoors. This will also help you narrow down your venue choices. Sometimes your venue won’t have a backup plan, or the one they do have doesn’t suit your requirements. So it’s important to choose a venue that you’re happy with, if it does or doesn’t rain!
2. Plan With Your Vendors
Before you sign any contracts with vendors, ask them about their rainy-day wedding policies. For example, what happens if you’re hiring a live band for an outdoor wedding? Or does your florist need to switch up any flower plans in case of rain? Remember that they’re professionals and they’ll have experienced adjusting their services to rain and backup plans. But each vendor will have their own backup plan, so it’s best to talk about this from the start so that you’re all on the same page. It’s also useful to leave some margin in your budget in case you need to cover any rain costs or if there are any last-minute changes.
3. Inform Your Guests
Your guests will need to know what to do if it rains on your wedding day. So make sure that you keep them in the loop as soon as you can. The best way is with a wedding website, where you can add a rainy day section that you keep updating. Include any important items they should bring, how parking will work, any access roads that will be closed, disability access, and any transport logistics. They’ll appreciate being told in advance!
4. Consider Your Photos
Talk to your photographer to see how to organize your photoshoot in case it rains. This involves having a run-through of indoor spaces that would be perfect and even considering some props to add to the background. This may also mean adjusting your timeline to take photos in short periods rather than one long session. Also, don’t forget to check your photographer’s rain day portfolio when you hire them, as this can really help put your mind at ease. You should also consider still taking your photos outside in the rain. The natural moodiness of the weather can make your photos look magical. Ultimately, trust your photographer! They’re professionals, and you’ve hired them because you love their work. So they’ll make sure to capture your beautiful memories in the best way possible!
5. Think About Hair & Makeup
A super trendy hairstyle might get tricky if it rains. Run through gorgeous effortless buns, perhaps add a flower crown too! And have frizz-resistant products at the ready! Most brides will probably wear waterproof make-up if they’re prone to a few tears. But it’s even more essential for a rainy-day wedding. It’s also helpful if your hair and make-up team are able to stay a bit longer so they can do any touch-ups after the ceremony.
6. Transparent Tent
If you have your heart set on an outdoor reception then you should consider renting a tent for your special day. Your venue might have one prepared or know of local vendors that won’t break your budget too much. It’s best if it’s transparent. This way you can still enjoy the beauty of nature but not be exposed to the elements. You’ll also get a beautiful view if the sun comes out! Make sure to have some heaters around the tent to keep guests warm and place extra candles to create a calming and intimate ambience.
7. Keep Your Guests Warm
Create a warm and cozy environment with some rainy-day accessories. Have umbrellas, blankets and towels at the ready to make sure that your guests are comfortable. You can even create a rain wedding station, with garment racks and cute boxes for guests to leave their umbrellas and boots. Choose different colors to brighten the mood or one monochrome color to complement your decoration. If the forecast says it’s 100% going to rain, then you can make the most of these extras and add a personal touch with some monograms. This can even be a wedding favor, with a beautiful quote that symbolizes your union. If it’s likely to rain and part of your wedding is outdoors, then have some cute weatherproof shoes such as fun Wellington boots on standby too!
8. Have An Emergency Kit
One key part of planning ahead is to make sure that you still look and feel beautiful, even with a bit of rain. So pack a bag full of practical items that you’ll need to have with you to keep your stunning look intact. For example, a hairdryer, an emergency make-up kit, extra shoes, a fabric protector, and a sheet to stand on for photos. Also make sure your maid of honor or one of your bridesmaids knows where the bag is at all times, in case you need it.
9. Wedding Insurance
Wedding insurance won’t take away the rain, but it will take away a lot of the extra stress you might have. You’ve probably been saving up for your wedding for a while, so it’s not worth risking that at all. Insurance can protect you financially if the weather isn’t on your side. If the worst happens and you need to cancel, then you can rest assured that your insurance will cover the costs of rescheduling your wedding. It will also cover the costs of damage because of bad weather. Look around for insurers that cover the points you need.
10. Embrace It!
Did you know that rain on your wedding day is actually a sign of good luck? It doesn’t have to dampen the mood if you’ve planned ahead. So just go with it! Everyone is with you to celebrate and have fun, so rain shouldn’t have to spoil that. The main thing is to be flexible. You can’t control mother nature but you can control how you feel about the change of weather. Remember what this special day means to you!
There’s no need to worry if the weather isn’t as you hoped for, with our top tips for a rainy-day wedding. For more essential wedding day tips, head to WedBoard. You’ll find advice to make sure that your special day runs smoothly including, 16 Dos & Don’ts for the Morning of Your Wedding, The Most Important Questions To Ask Your Wedding Venue, and Top Tips for The Perfect Wedding Day Timeline.
Featured image: We Are The Clarkes
