Don’t let bad weather on your wedding day ruin the fun! There are a number of very practical things you can do to make sure you (and your guests) have the best day ever, even if it’s raining or insanely hot.
Episode breakdown
Weather type 1: Rain
Rain is good luck
Did you know that rain on your wedding day is good luck because it means your marriage will last? You’re going to hear this a lot if it rains on your wedding day! Sure, it won’t calm your nerves entirely, but who doesn’t want to have good luck on their Big Day?
Add romantic lighting
With gloomy skies making the atmosphere a little darker than you planned, include candles and extra lighting! This soft glow will illuminate the space and will make your wedding feel cosy and romantic.
Be prepared to shift your timeline around
You might have rain for the entire day or just for 20 minutes. Rain can be unpredictable and sometimes it’s worth waiting to see if it’ll stop. Be ready to shift your timeline around if this is what you’d like to do. Your day-of coordinator can assist you with this!
Get lots of umbrellas
Whether you hire them in or ask guests to bring their own, don’t forget to have rain supplies to keep guests dry! Nobody wants to arrive at a wedding only to be forced to sit outside and get soaking wet. Help guests get or stay dry with blankets, towels and heaters.
Talk to your hair and makeup artist
The rain and wind can completely mess up your perfectly planned wedding beauty look. To keep your hair and makeup looking fabulous all day long, consider an updo and waterproof makeup.
Don’t let it ruin your day
There’s only so much you can do to prepare ahead of time. Decide before your wedding that no matter what the weather is like, it’s going to be a beautiful day! If you’re up for it, embrace the rain and get some gorgeous outdoor shots.
Weather type 2: Intense heat
Keep guests cool:
- Marquees or handheld parasols (keep them shaded)
- Hydrate them (bottles of water)
Make a wise decision when choosing your dress
Some wedding dresses can be made from thick and heavy material, which will be hot! This is not what we want for out summer brides so make sure your bridal consultant knows you are having a summer wedding. They will then be able to guide you on the best fabric choices to work with, which will ideally have a lighter weight.
Choose shoes that breathe
What’s your shoe choice got to do with it? Let us tell you – a lot! If your feet are very cosy and hot inside your shoes, the rest of you will feel just as hot and bothered! Instead of fully closed shoes opt for sandals or flats.
Wear your hair up
Just like too-warm feet, if you hair is tumbling down around you, you are guaranteed to feel hotter. A beautiful up-do is the way forward. Chat to your hair stylist about what styles will suit your overall look and will work with the elements of the day.
Choose breathable undergarments
Many wedding dresses have the option of built-in support so there is no need for a bra. Go for natural cotton underwear to keep things breathable and fresh feeling throughout the day.
Stay in the shade
Your photographer will be able to guide you throughout the important photos but when you’re mingling with your guests try to stay out of direct sunlight. Use shaded areas such as under parasols to keep cool and the sweat at bay!
Your backup plan
First tip: use a reliable weather forecast app to help you predict the weather and remove a layer of anxiety!
Regardless of the weather forecast, include a backup plan into your plans so you are prepared.
Talk to your venue and planner
Your wedding planner and venue are the two most important suppliers who can initiate any wedding backup plan you have.
While hunting for the perfect wedding venue, here are some questions you should ask:
- Is there an indoor option in case it rains?
- What is the guest count for any backup options?
- At what point will the couple need to decide if they are going to use the backup plan?
In the event that the venue doesn’t offer a wedding backup plan, it’s important to discuss options with your wedding planner. They will be able to advise you on the options and costs!
Have space in your budget
You will want to create space in your budget for a bad weather backup plan! Consider the alternative: guests with drenched wedding outfits, musicians needing to stop playing in order to protect their equipment, and just general rainy weather chaos.
In order to implement a wedding backup plan in case of bad weather, you will need to have money set aside. This could go towards hiring a marquee and umbrellas, getting warm and cosy blankets for everybody, or buying lots of beautiful candles to create a romantic glow in your indoor ceremony.
Communicate with your suppliers
Some suppliers won’t be impacted by a change in plans, while others will need time to prepare. The suppliers who had planned to set up a beautiful outdoor dinner and will now need to transition to indoors will need to know about the change in plans as soon as possible.
Keep in conversation with your suppliers because they will know how to make this transition efficient!
Don’t handle this alone
A wedding planner or day-of coordinator will be a superhero in moments like this. Instead of calling all your suppliers to share the change in plans, or managing the new decor set up, allow your wedding planner to step in and oversee this process for you. That is what they’re there for you! On your Big Day, you should be sipping bubbly with your girls while you get ready together, no matter what pops up.
