The weather can change a lot of things on your wedding day and it is obviously one of those things that you have absolutely no control over. However it is something that you need to think about when planning your big day, you need to think of a backup plan if you are having an outdoor wedding and make sure that it is something that you and your partner agree on and have discussed. Remember too, it is not just rain that has to be considered, it is wind and heat too. Wind and heat can ruin your big day just as much, if not more than rain can.
Whenever I meet with a couple or they book me for their special day, I always talk a lot about where the ceremony will be held and if there is a backup plan in case of bad weather. Most of the time this has been thought of, or the venue is somewhere where it will not matter if the weather changes, but I have done some weddings where the weather has been a problem and at the last minute we have had to change where the ceremony is going to be held. It is a good idea to talk to each other about this plan as sometimes the groom can be apprehensive about making decisions about changes at the venue on the wedding day when he can’t ask his bride what she would prefer, so it is good to have a solid plan that you have discussed so that everyone is on the same page about changes.
Usually a little spitting rain is not a problem on your wedding day. One wedding I conducted in the Burnley Gardens, (check out the blog about it here) were it was cold and there was a little rain, but nothing to really be worried about (a few spots of rain has never worried me). Importantly, there was a backup plan in place if the weather had not held out.
The other thing to consider is the wind; wind can be cold, create problems with the PA system, if you are using one, and with veils, flowers and other accessories, so it is a good idea to think about how the wind could affect your day when picking out the area that you will have your ceremony.
You also need to think about the heat if you are having your ceremony somewhere that doesn’t have a lot of shade. You need to consider that most of your guests will be standing out in it direct sunlight for about an hour and a half for a standard 30 minute ceremony; most people will arrive about half an hour before and they will still be there mingling and talking for about half an hour after the ceremony concludes.
It is also a good idea if you have backup plans that change the location or even time of your wedding, you might want to put someone in charge of letting guests know that the venue has changed. Make sure that this someone who is not in your bridal party; the bridal party will have enough to worry about on your day. Organise this with this person in advance and make sure that you include on the your invitations something like “Contact Lucy in case of inclement weather on 04……..” so that on the day if any of the guests are concerned or need to know what is going on they have a name and a number where to contact someone who can let them know what the new plans are.
Deb Scherger Marriage Celebrant 