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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!

Western Massachusetts is one of those rare and amazing places where you can hike through beautiful wilderness, take a hot air balloon ride, stop at a pick-your-own organic farm, check out a gallery opening for a local artist, eat a delicious, seasonal meal and listen to a world class musician at an intimate venue…all in a single day!

That’s one reason so many couples choose to get married in Western Massachusetts. There’s no shortage of incredible wedding venues and vendors, and out-of-town guests can easily make a vacation out of this unique destination.
But we think there’s another reason, too. Western Massachusetts has a special ethos that appeals to both those who make this area their home as well as come here to exchange their wedding vows. 

This is a place that values small and slow, independent and creative – and weddings are no exception.

Valley Wed was launched with exactly those couples in mind: people who steer clear of anything “cookie cutter” and dismiss the idea that their wedding has to look like something out of a traditional bridal magazine. 

Valley Wed is a wedding show designed for couples that want to go their own way, but they don’t want to go it alone.

Once you start planning your wedding day, finding the right vendors – top-quality professionals you can trust, that understand your vision and are committed to making it reality – may be your biggest challenge, but also your greatest asset.

Valley Wed coordinator Hannah Grace of Grace Ceremonies has made that task a whole lot easier for you.  In this second annual show, she once again offers couples a carefully curated selection of over 30 of the top wedding vendors in Western Massachusetts with the goals of inspiring personal connections and honoring your style with a locally sourced approach.

Every vendor at Valley Wed is an independently owned small business.  Each vendor prides themselves on exceptional quality products and services. All the vendors have a proven track record and loyal fan base.  And you’d probably have fun grabbing a drink with any one of them.

Wedding planning can be a fun and fulfilling experience, especially when you have the right people on your team. Valley Wed will help you find everything you need to have an amazing wedding day, with the best vendors to help you plan one of the most important days of your life.

Valley Wed will showcase a wide variety of wedding vendors from bakers, photographers, DJs, event planners, musicians, officiants, florists and more. You’ll also be able to enjoy craft beer and wines by the glass, complimentary horse and carriage rides from Mainely Drafts, free coffee from Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee, live music from Classic Wedding Ensembles and others, and the farm stand and orchards will be open at Quonquont for pick-your-own apples.

One lucky couple will win our grand prize giveaway of $500 off a pair of wedding rings from dmg {Don Muller Gallery, Inc.}. Pinch is also offering our second prize giveaway of a $250 gift certificate for their gallery in Northampton. Other prizes and giveaways include artisan olive oils and balsamic vinegars from Ellie’s Oils, a floral arrangement from Badger's Flowers & Co., a Jackson & Connor gift card, custom letterpress save-the-dates from Big Wheel Press, $100 off AG Ambroult’s Wedding Ring Workshop, a bridal shower cake from Cakes by Amanda, and a whole lot more.

Register for our giveaways and door prizes and get your tickets online now at www.valleywed.com.

Valley Wed
October 16, 2016
11am – 4pm
$6/person or $10/couple

Quonquont Farm
9 North Street
Whately, MA 01093

Valley Wed is a unique wedding show offering couples a handpicked selection of exceptional wedding pros in Western Mass.  It's designed especially for couples that want to go their own way, but they don’t want to go it alone.

 Meet Tanya, owner of Tanya Costigan Events, offering wedding planning
and event design as well as flowers, invitations and decor rentals.

I started my business in 2010 after planning events, as a volunteer, for the public schools and Boys & Girls Club. Weddings make me swoon and was a natural path for me to pursue.

My favorite part of my "job" (I don't really like calling it a job or work because I love what I do so much) is the design and styling. I love transforming the space and seeing how happy and excited you are when you see it!

That not hiring at least a "day of" manager is a HUGE regret couples have after the fact...and at that point it's too late.  I wish I could bottle up the words my clients express to me at the end of the wedding day. "I don't know what we would have done without you," "I'm so glad we hired you," "I loved being able to just enjoy knowing you were taking care of everything."

I offer free wedding planning workshops throughout the year. These Engage Workshops are hands-on learning opportunities for brides-to-be on different wedding planning topics.  I also offer floral services, decor rentals and invitations. Plus I love sending little sweet somethings to my clients during the year...just because :)

I think I answered this above...and those words are music to my ears. I love to see the relief in the faces of my couples.  Moms typically love my services, too, because most times my tasks and responsibilities fall to them on the wedding day. They like to enjoy, too.

(Besides hiring me to care for your wedding!) Invest in a great photographer.  It's the one physical thing you will have from your wedding day and it will last forever. You don't want to regret skimping on photography.  It is a huge priority.

Professionally:  Having my work published in print!  Mingle Magazine published my Will You Bee My Bridesmaid shoot in their January 2016 issue.
Personally:  Having two kids in college, preparing for their future.

We're not your average wedding expo.  We don’t do cake-dives or gimmicks.  Instead, we offer a curated style of wedding show; one that focuses on real relationships with the best wedding vendors the Pioneer Valley has to offer.

Valley Wed is designed for couples who want to go their own way, but they don't want to go it alone.  We're here to help you find everything you need to have an amazing wedding day.  It'll be fun - we promise!  Here's the scoop:

Bring your fiancé.  Bring your friends!

We've got great door prizes including two $75 gift certificates from Blue Heron Restaurant, two $100 gift certificates from PINCH and a grand prize giveaway of a $500 gift certificate toward the purchase of two wedding bands at dmg {Don Muller Gallery, Inc}.

We have three sets of live music lined up from harpist Tara Alterman of Heavenly Elegance, the Classic Wedding Ensembles Quartet and country bluegrass from The Rambling Kind.

We've got concessions from Chanterelle To Go plus samples from our other caterers and bakers.  If it's beverages you crave, bartenders will be standing by with your choice of cocktails, craft beers and wines by the glass.

That's right!  Mainely Drafts will be offering carriage rides through the beautiful orchards at Quonquont Farm.

Check out Valley Wed's cover story and two-page feature in The Republican's
Fall 2015 WEDDINGS magazine, written by Maureen Sullivan.

Featuring Valley Wed creators Tiffany Hilton of Tiffany Hilton Pottery
and Rev. Hannah Grace of Grace Ceremonies

Check out Valley Wed's four-page feature in The Valley Advocate
Fall 2015 I Do Wedding Guide, by Hunter Styles.

Featuring Valley Wed creators Tiffany Hilton of Tiffany Hilton Pottery and
Rev. Hannah Grace of Grace Ceremonies

Hilton agreed, adding that the “wedding industrial complex” can be a costly and intimidating machine. “We don’t want to be anything cookie-cutter,” she said. “We’re trying to network small businesses based in the Valley. Limousine companies, insurance companies, spray tan companies — those are all present at some wedding shows, but we don’t need feel we need them at our show.”

Instead, the vendors selected for this first Valley Wed distinguish themselves by providing a personal touch, whether it’s a custom-fit suit from Jackson & Connor in Northampton, a carefully cooked meal from Blue Heron Catering in Sunderland, a dress from Pearl Bridal Boutique in Holyoke, unique invitations from Big Wheel Press in Easthampton, or a wedding shoot by Sandra Costello Photography, to name a few.

Valley Wed is a curated style of wedding show; one that focuses on real relationships with the best wedding vendors the Pioneer Valley has to offer.  We want to connect you with the top wedding professionals in Western Massachusetts to help you plan one of the most important days of your life. 

I recently worked with a clients who held their wedding at the groom's home in Pembroke, MA.  When it was time for the Father/Daughter dance, the bride's dad announced to everyone that he'd chosen to dance to the same song he played and danced to with his daughter the day she came home from the hospital.

I always tell couples that the busy wedding day starts early and moves quickly, so stop and enjoy the moments when you can.  Take some moments alone with each other, especially right after the ceremony before going off to do pictures.  Couples are grateful for that advice and in retrospect, grateful that I was the one caring for tasks on the wedding day so they could really, truly enjoy the day fully with everyone they love.

This is a hard one because I love so many things about it...but I love my clients immensely and I love their pleased reactions when they see their ceremony/reception spaces for the first time.  It makes them happy and makes the day real.  I love, love, love what I do.  Love.

I gush a little when my clients walk that aisle - every time. I am completely, completely smitten with what I get to do.  I care for my clients' weddings as if they were my own.  I love hearing Fathers of the Bride or Mothers of the Groom tell me stories of their children before the ceremony when they are emotional.  I offer thoughtful and professional service and I have a natural calmness that I bring which has been the most consistent feedback I get from clients and their families. 

[Learn more about Tanya's free wedding planning workshops!]

I love Strawbale Cafe in Westhampton.  In season, they make their own maple syrup and they offer gluten free pancakes (I always add chocolate chips!).

I love Malibu rum and pineapple juice.  Or champagne.  Oooooh, you know what? That sounds like a signature drink waiting to happen!  *Makes mental note to try mixing the 3*

I'm a volunteer Birthday Fairy for the Confetti Foundation. The Confetti Foundation is a non-profit started by a couple of event planners in Rhode Island that collects cute birthday supplies, packs them in a pretty themed box and Birthday Fairies like me deliver them to local hospitals that distribute them to children staying in the hospital on their birthday with long-term illnesses.