It’s like raaaiiiiinnnnn on your wedding day… We all know the song and dance, people telling you its good luck, making sure you are happy and content, but deep down, we know that you are upset and that is ok. I would say everyone wishes for 72 and sunny, or if you are a photographer, partly cloudy. But no one is like “Oh boy I hope it rains on Saturday!”

We get it, as wedding planners, bad weather is our nightmare because its the very one thing we have no control over. We live in Minnesota, where the wedding season is also storm season. (Also where we can basically see all 4 seasons in a single week.) So I always tell my couples, if you are getting married between May and September, always prepare for rain. We recently had a wedding where there was a 1% chance or rain, out of nowhere, it was a Tsunami outside! Today, we are going to give you some tips for surviving rain or any unexpected weather on your wedding day!

No matter what, remember what the day is all about. You are marrying your best friend!
I can’t lie, I hate saying that because it sounds so dumb, but it is true, you have to remember why you are there. Your family and friends love you so much, and they will put up with a little rain to celebrate with you!
Have a plan B!
This one might sound obvious, but seriously, having a plan b is crucial because in the chance of some serious weather, we want to know that things can easily be moved into another space. We will once in a while get couples that say they don’t have a plan b because its going to be amazing, and we will straight up tell them, it’s a non negotiable. To plan in advance, makes the day so much more relaxing.
Your venue should always have some plan b in place for you, so make sure to ask them what works best in that space. In the past we have done some of the following:

Have a tent large enough to have everything covered. Most tents now a days can withstand 75 mile an hour winds!
Have the ceremony in the same spot as the reception, create an aisle with the tables, have guests sit at their tables and create a focal point for you two to stand at.
Push tables back and have the ceremony on the dance floor.
3. Have faith in your vendors, and trust their advice.
You hired professionals who have probably had to deal with weather changes quite often, make sure you are communicating your desires with them through out the day and they will work with you to make something happen.
As your wedding planner, we are there to make you happy. So we will wait till the very last minute to move a ceremony. But if we do have to move it, we will make that plan B look spectacular and have you forgetting all about being outside!
If the radar is spotty weather and you have a DJ setting up equipment outside, be mindful that their equipment is expensive and it is sometimes just not possible to throw them out there.
4. Push back the ceremony start time.
This is not ideal, but if your venue allows it and you can see that the weather is going to clear up soon, you can think about opening up the bar a bit early and having guests come get some drinks and mingle, giving the staff time to wipe chairs down and make sure things are ready to go!
5. Always have umbrellas!
We have had weddings where rain pops up out of no where and it has taught us to always have at least 1 umbrella (for the bride.) We have noticed that people always tend to keep a few umbrellas in their car so hopefully you will be prepared enough. If you see that the weather is going to be crap, ask relatives to bring any umbrellas they have.
Buy some cute shawls or sweaters for you and your bridesmaids to wear through out the day so that everyone can keep a little warm!

6. Remember, rain makes for some killer photos! Rainbows, crazy clouds, fog and more, can really make for some stunning photos.
Sometimes its not only rain that can eff up an outdoor ceremony. Winds make it hard for people to hear, if it is insanely hot out, that can affect sound equipment. If it snows… Well, then it is just cold and crappy. Always keep in mind, the weather can change in an instant and that is no reason to let it ruin the most amazing day ever!
So I would like to close this blog out by saying, rain & unforeseeable weather doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Keep a positive mindset and enjoy the greatest day ever!
Nameste