Rain on Your Wedding Day: A Guide to Summer Showers and Backup Plans
It is safe to say that everyone knows the dread of obsessively checking the weather app, wishing that tiny rain emoji would just disappear. In a perfect world, we could control the weather and rainy days would be reserved for the Sundays we don’t even leave our beds. But in the real world, your summer wedding or proposal might be approaching and the forecast may call for showers, or even storms. Instead of jumping straight into panic mode, we are here to provide you with tips on preparing for any unexpected weather and remind you that rain on your wedding isn’t the end of the world. In fact, some say it may even be good luck.
- Check for Updated Forecasts
We all know how unreliable or unpredictable weather forecasts can be. Sometimes they are spot on, while other times the weather app is suggesting you take shelter on a perfectly sunny day. Our first piece of advice is to keep checking the weather app for the most updated forecasts. Maybe there is only going to be rain in the early afternoon and hopefully you can adjust your schedule accordingly. While it is important to keep any eye on the forecast, we also encourage not checking obsessively as this will only stress you out. Whatever is going to happen will happen and it is out of your control.
- Create a Backup Plan
Before you even have any clue what the weather will look like on your special day, you should be creating a backup plan. Unfortunately, if rain appears the day of, it may be too late to create new plans so it is important to have a plan B as a sort of insurance. When you are touring your outdoor venues, ask them what their plan for bad weather is. If you are set on getting married or proposing outdoors, consider renting a tent. There are many different ways to work around the rain and your wedding planner and venues are there to not only help you out, but to ease your mind.
- Come Prepared for the Rain
It is important to come prepared for the worst, even while hoping for the best. Of course you will want umbrellas, preferably ones that won’t interfere with your look. We recommend a clear or even customized umbrella that will almost act as an accessory during your ceremony and in photos. You may also want to pack towels so that when the rain (hopefully) goes away, you can wipe down all of the wet surfaces and the reception or event can go on as planned. Additionally, consider bringing a second pair of shoes, in case your original pair gets wet and uncomfortable. Check out our previous blog post on a wedding day emergency kit for more essentials you may need!
- Protect Your Guests
Although it is your special day, you cannot forget about protecting your guests from the bad weather. If you are able to, start collecting umbrellas that match with your wedding theme and then provide them for the guests day of. This doesn’t have to be super expensive, you could even thrift or pick up umbrellas from the dollar store! Regardless, we promise your guests will thank you later.
- Stay Positive
At the end of the day, the weather is not under your control. There is nothing you could have done to stop the rain or storms and your guests know this! Accepting this should relieve some of the stress you are holding onto. Stay flexible and positive throughout this process, whether that means moving times around or even switching the vision you originally had for your day.
- Finally, Embrace it!
Rain at a wedding is something celebrated in some cultures and considered widely as a sign of good luck in your marriage. Embrace this sign and have fun with it. Rain can make for beautiful and unique wedding photos that you will never forget or be able to recreate. A little rain never hurts anybody and it definitely doesn’t stop the fun that you should be having at any summer event you have planned.
While we are sure you will continue to keep the weather app open 24/7, we hope our tips have eased your mind (at least a little) in the days leading up to your big event. There’s nothing you can do to change the forecast, but at least you can stay prepared and even have a little fun with those pesky summer showers.
XOXO, Nicole
NJ Wedding Pros
740 River Rd. Suite 240
Fair Haven, NJ 07704
njweddingpros@gmail.com
http://www.njweddingpros.com
732-747-0900