10 awesome planning tips for what to do if it rains on your wedding day!
What to do if it rains on your wedding day? Whether your wedding is completely inside or maybe you are having an outdoor wedding ceremony or reception, rain can throw a wrench in what you had planned. Here are some tips for bad weather, just in case!
What to do if it rains on your wedding day #1
Dont panic!
This may sound like a no brainer, but I think that it is so important to remind yourself before and during your wedding, that things will likely not go exactly as planned. Make up your mind to enjoy yourself and just let things happen. You worked so hard planning and deserve nothing else, but to relax and enjoy the day – You earned it!
What to do if it rains on your wedding day #2
Rent a tent.
A tent can be an awesome addition for your wedding in a whole variety of ways. Having a tent for your outdoor wedding dinner and reception is an awesome way to provide some shelter from the rain. This way everyone can stay dry while still enjoying the ambience of being outdoors. This is also a great way to add some extra space if your wedding venue is a little bit smaller and you were banking on spending most of it outside.
If you’re looking for a tent to rent, I would highly recommend Chance Productions in Madison. Those guys are awesome! Here’s a photo of one of their custom tents.
What to do if it rains on your wedding day #3
Talk to your vendors!
I highly recommend speaking with your wedding vendors before hand about a potential plan in case of rain. As a wedding vendor myself, I have rainy wedding days ALL the time. We will be able to help guide and advise you with some potential solutions and workarounds from our experience in the wedding industry.
What to do if it rains on your wedding day #4
Style it!
Rain on your wedding day can create some awesome opportunities for unique photos. As a wedding photographer, I always come prepared with see through umbrellas and other fun items to style your photos with even in the event it rains.
What to do if it rains on your wedding day #5
Be flexible with your schedule.
Most of the time there are breaks in the rain that will give you an opportunity to get some photos done or any special moments you were hoping to have outdoors. The best way to handle this is by building in extra time into your wedding day schedule. This may result in cocktail hour going a little long or dinner starting a little late, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do!
What to do if it rains on your wedding day #6
Make an exact bad weather cut off.
Rather than going back and forth on your wedding day with your venue, vendors, and family, figure out an exact cut off that will determine when and if you will move your wedding indoors. What I mean by this looking at things such as rain percentages and plan to make a final call at some point before the ceremony. Trust me, if you don’t set expectations before hand, everyone will have an opinion and it can be super stressful. This is something you should consult your venue beforehand since they will probably have a standard protocol for this situation.
What to do if it rains on your wedding day #7
Bring umbrellas!
Ask friends and family to bring umbrellas or buy a bunch in advance. This makes things so much more convenient for you, the guests, and the wedding party. If it rains on your wedding day and you came prepared with umbrellas, you will be very glad that you did.
What to do if it rains on your wedding day #8
Coffee and Hot Chocolate.
Talk to your caterer about possible food and drink options that could make for a cozy little addition to your wedding celebration. This is also a good idea for weddings in late fall and early spring when the weather can get really cold!
What to do if it rains on your wedding day #9
Have blankets ready for your guest!
Having blankets can be a fun and very convenient thing for your guests on a rainy wedding night. This is especially helpful if your wedding is under a tent and it gets a little chilly.
What to do if it rains on your wedding day #10
Rent portable heaters for your wedding day.
Another great option for a tent reception is renting a portable heater for guests to warm up by. Once the sun goes down things can get pretty chilly. Wedding guests love to have this option when it’s cold and rainy outside. Rather than having people leave early because it’s cold and wet, spend a little extra money to make them more comfortable.
What to do if it rains on your wedding day #11
Bring some rain boots!
With so many barn wedding venues out there, especially here in Wisconsin, bringing some rain boots can be a very functional item to have at your disposal. This can be a great solution if it gets muddy out and can be an awesome touch for your wedding photos!
Those are my best tips for what to do if it rains on your wedding day!
No matter if you’re having an indoor or outdoor wedding, I hope that you found this information helpful for planning! I want you to be confident in your plan for if it rains on your wedding day, so please feel free to contact me with questions!
If you have any ideas that I didn’t mention, drop your ideas in the comment section below!
Happy wedding planning!
Forte Films and Stills