The only consistent thing about the British weather is that it’s unpredictable. Whatever time of year you plan your wedding, there’s still a fair chance that you’ll encounter precipitation on your big day.
How to prevent rain from ruining your big day
While it may make things a bit soggy getting to and leaving the ceremony, and might put a damper on your photoshoot, you don’t have to let rain ruin your whole day. You can make it a wedding to remember for the right reasons, even if you’ve arranged for the ceremony and reception to be outdoors. Make sure you have some planning place early to handle things in chance the heavens open.
You might not have much chance of predicting the weather a year in advance, when you first pick your date and book your wedding venue, but you should have at least a week’s notice that there might be a chance of a downpour. OK, so that’s not really enough time to change the date, but you can take some steps to mitigate the impact of the weather.
Hire umbrellas for the wedding party and guests.
There are a number of companies who hire out brollies in large numbers for events and these can be a lifesaver. Even if some of your guests are paying attention and bring their own umbrellas, having plenty of extras on hand for those who didn’t means your wedding doesn’t become a damp squib.If your wedding is outside, especially if you’re having any part of the proceedings somewhere that isn’t paved, then wellies might be a great idea. Encouraging your guests to wear appropriate footwear may save some outfits from splashes (or worse, the occasional slip), could become a talking point with your guests for years to come.
Alternatively, if rubber boots are completely at odds with your aesthetic for the wedding you’d best make sure you have some alternative locations planned. Check with your venue, as they may already have wet weather plans in place.
A marquee can often be had at relatively short notice, that could be a lifesaver for outdoor weddings. There’s an increasing number of companies who offer marquees with clear plastic walls and roods, meaning your guests can still enjoy the beautiful views of your expensive venue.
But the toppest tip for wet weddings is to not panic and just enjoy it. The rain is unlikely to hold up the entire day and modern meteorology should give you some idea of when during the day is going to be wet. Even if the whole day is going to be a wash out, then a little last minute rearranging shouldn’t be difficult to overcome.
Of course, although most rainy days or even gale-ridden storms aren’t going to stop a determined couple from thoroughly enjoying their wedding, please don’t ignore dangerous weather conditions.