What's your rain plan?

​ 
Nobody wants rain on their wedding day! Unfortunately, we cant control Mother Nature’s plans. So your big day is looming ahead and it’s looking like rain, now what?
 
Communicate! First things first, communicate with the major supports of your day. If you have a wedding planner or venue coordinator, be in touch with them about the best next steps. Reach out to bridal party or delegate to a best man/maid of honor to have them prepare themselves with umbrellas and proper clothing. 
 
If your wedding is scheduled to be outside, ceremony or reception, it’s a great time to start seeking out a rental company that can provide you with a tent. Some rental companies may ask you to pay a deposit ahead of time to secure your tent, while be able to provide this the week of. Some things to consider when selecting a tent:

• Size!
  • Is this tent for a ceremony, reception, or both? How many tables are you fitting inside? Do you need room for a dance floor? Where will the poles of this tent land (if there are any poles) and will it obstruct the views of guests?
• Siding
  • Most rental companies will have the option to have sides put on the tent! This can be a good idea to keep you and your guests dry, if it’s looking like it is going to be stormy and windy or if it’s looking like it could be cold!
• Heaters
  • In the Spring and Fall, it can be really unfortunate when it is both rainy and chilly. Tents can come well equipped with heaters that blow heat into the tent. Keep the sides on to trap the heat! Discuss with your rental company how many they thing will be adequate for your tent size and guest count – remember you can always turn one off if it gets too warm!
• Additional tents?
  • If it’s going to rain, don’t forget to account for any other vendors that may need coverage. Does your caterer provide their own tent, or are you contracted to provide it? Are the bathrooms located a ways away? Is it possible to tent the walkway to them?

 
If just your ceremony is to be outside and you are not crazy about tents- there ways to navigate what to do! Call your venue or the person who owns/is in charge of the location you're to be married and ask if they have an alternative room for the ceremony. Some bigger venues are able to shift things around to accommodate for your wedding and the weather. If there is an extra charge to hold an indoor space in the chance of rain, it is highly recommended to bite the bullet and eat the added cost. Better to play it safe than to be left scrambling!
 
If there is not an indoor alternative option there are two trains of thought. 

1. Consider using the reception space as your ceremony. You can either arrange the tables in a way that creates a formal aisle and have guests sit at their seats for the ceremony, or see if the space can be reconfigured to look like a ceremony. Can tables be pushed back and pulled to the sides? Can they be easily broken down for your ceremony and then put back up during social hour? What is the time frame for this to happen? These are all important questions to find the answer to before making a plan b.
2. You want your reception outside- come hell or high water. The best way to have a rain alternative is to be prepared for yourself, your bridal parties, and your guests
   1. For you and your fiancé:

i.make sure to have purchased two large golf umbrellas, preferably clear as they wont cast a shadow on your face for pictures. This will help keep as much of you dry as possible. 
ii.Be prepared with changes of shoes, maybe a pair of rain boots for your ceremony, a blanket or warm shawl or jacket in case it is chilly, and a pair of dry clothing for after your wedding to change into if need be
iii.Ladies- be ready with hair spray and make up touch up kits. With summer rain comes humidity, and an umbrella can’t protect you from that!

1. For your bridal party:

i.If you’re asking your bridal party to possibly stand in the rain it’s important to equip them with what they may need to be comfortable. Purchase clear umbrellas for them to hold to protect their hair and shoulders
ii.Think about keeping it light and purchase ponchos for all your girls and guys up front to wear while you tie the knot
iii.Warn them of pending rain, and suggest they bring changes in shoes, an extra jacket, and maybe a hair dryer

1. For your guests:

i.Do your best to give them a heads up! If it’s looking like rain and you decide to still have your ceremony outside it can be nice to try and warn them so they can prepare. Reach out to just a few key people and ask them to spread the word.
ii.Incorporate some rain gear in your ceremony décor such as:

1. Umbrellas
2. Blankets
3. Ponchos
4. Towels

iii.Don’t force them to sit on wet chairs. If you choose to keep your ceremony outside and it’s raining, don’t expect all of your guests to be seated. If chairs are puddley and wet, it may be hard to ask folks to sit in water when its just the beginning of the night.
 
Lastly! Give yourself a 15-20 minute window of time to be disappointed, and then take action. It can be a huge bummer when you find out the weather for your big day is going to be less than ideal. You are allowed to be sad and upset. Don’t let it ruin your day! Remember the key most important pieces to your big day, and that a little rain will only add to the story!