Oct 26, 2009
Wedding Day – Raining On Your Parade
A miserable rainy day and a long hiatus from my blog I’m thinking what hot tips and advice can I offer you to support your wedding day planning and then I had my ‘light bulb’ moment.
Wedding Day – Wet Weather Strategies
When you hire a professional wedding planner wet weather strategies are included in the planning mix. But what if you’re organising your own wedding – “How do you ensure your planned perfect day is not a disaster?”
There’s no guarantees but if you plan for rain you’re covered :)
5 Tips To Rain Proof Your Wedding Day
Below are five tips to help you rain proof your wedding.
1. Check the weather forecast
When deciding your wedding day date research weather patterns. Here’s the Australian weather site. It’s easy and you can become a weather zone guest or member.
Did you know?
The Sydney 2000 Olympics was originally to be held in November but with long range weather forecasting October was found to be the best month and yes, it was just magically perfect.
2. Moon and Tides
Don’t just focus on the weather, check out tide and moon phases. Remember your friend’s beach wedding and instead of sand and rolling waves, it’s low tide and mud flats as far as the eye can see. Not a pretty site! Or, it’s full moon, king tide and your romantic wedding ceremony spot is under water.
3. Venue location
If your ceremony is being held outside ensure you have a back-up venue close-by! I know this sounds logical but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reviewed wedding event orders and there’s no wet weather Plan B.
9 Tips on How to Choose A Venue
i) research and choose your venue (close proximity to your ceremony)
ii) find out if the venue is available
iii) can the venue accommodate you and all your guests?
iv) what is the hire charge, if any?
v) are there cleaning/exit fees?
vi) what notice is required before hiring/cancelling?
vii) how many staff will be available on the day and at what cost?
viii) what can the venue offer as wet weather options, i.e., umbrellas, marquee
ix) can the venue coordinator recommend professional suppliers for marquee, etc.?
4. Hiring a marquee
Consider hiring a marquee as a wet weather option and/or can also be used for the wedding reception. If you decide upon a marquee make sure you contact your local council about regulations – there’s some horrific stories out there. Budget and logistics will decide whether this strategy is affordable.
5. Wedding Photographs
I can not emphasise enough - thoroughly research your photographer/s and ask lots and lots of questions. Are you local? If it rains which wet weather locations do you use? Do you have wet weather equipment?
Visit the recommended sites in wet weather. Walk around and look for rain water channels, run off from buildings, logistical ways of getting from A to B. Will there be lots of mud? Are there lots of shadows and dark? And importantly do you personally want your photos taken here?
Plus ask your photographer to show you wedding photos taken of bridal couples in the wet weather recommended areas.
And remember, whether it’s raining or not, “Breathe, Relax, Laugh and Enjoy – it’s your wedding day!”
Do you have any wet weather experiences you’d like to share with us? In hindsight would you have planned your wedding day differently? Any recommendations you can offer upcoming brides?
Tell us here… we’d love to hear from you.
And if there’s something in particular you’d like me to write about just let me know.
Happy Planning!
Lee Cass
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Awesome post :)
I’d only add that as a wedding photographer, I don’t typically recommend “wet weather locations”, but prefer to make sure the bridal party are ready to jump under umbrellas and stick with the original plan! Making photographic use of rain on your wedding day can be great fun :)
Can’t wait for your next post!
Thanks for your comment :)