What If It Rains on Your Wedding Day? 11 Tips for Bad Weather
You’ve spent months planning the biggest day of your life, designing your perfect wedding stationery and booking all of your suppliers – and now it looks like it’s going to rain. What do you do?
There's no doubt that planning for wedding weather can be tricky. Everyone wants their wedding day to be beautiful and perfect. Despite the superstition, rain on your wedding day probably isn't unlucky - but still, nobody wants to look like a drowned rat in their wedding photos, or have their shoes ruined by mud!
Unfortunately, here in the UK, it's hard to predict when it's going to rain. Even if you’re getting married at a typically dry time of year, such as June, you can never tell what the weather will be like.
So, whenever you’re planning to tie the knot, it’s always best to be prepared for a drizzle, shower or downpour. Here are our top tips on how to prepare for the possibility of rain on your big day.
1. Choose a Venue with Indoor Space
If you're worried about bad weather, one of the best things you can do is choose a venue with indoor space. Even if you want to hold the ceremony outside, having an available room to use will give you somewhere to go if it starts raining. This means that you won't have to worry about your wedding plans being disrupted, or your photos (or outfit) getting ruined.
Many venues offer indoor space as an optional extra - it may cost more to book out a room that you may not even use. But be sure to ask if this is something that's important to you. It's definitely worth stretching the budget a bit to ensure that you and your guests have somewhere dry to shelter.
2. Hire a Waterproof Gazebo or Marquee
If your chosen venue doesn't have indoor space, or you’re determined to hold the ceremony outdoors anyway, consider hiring a waterproof marquee or gazebo. They may not be particularly warm, but they'll at least provide some shelter from the rain in case starts to pour on your big day.
Marquees and gazebos come in all shapes and sizes, so be sure to shop around and find one that will fit your needs. They can be quite expensive to hire, but it's worth it to know that you'll have a dry place to go if the weather takes a turn for the worse. You can even hire outdoor heaters to keep everyone warm if needed!
3. Stay Close to Your Venue
One of the worst things about rain on your wedding day is that your hair, makeup, dress and shoes could get ruined en route to the venue. So, if the weather is looking temperamental, it's best to stay as close to the venue as possible the night before.
If your venue has accommodation, stay on-site if possible, so that you won't have to worry about travelling in bad weather. If not, do some research into the closest hotels and B&Bs, and book a wedding car to transport you directly to the venue.
4. Discuss a Flexible Start Time
If it's looking like there's going to be rain on-and-off on your big day, or if there's a high chance of it happening, chat to your venue about the potential of having a flexible start time for your ceremony.
This way, if the downpour begins right when the ceremony was supposed to begin, you can postpone it until a bit later in the day. Make sure you hire entertainment and provide drinks and canapés so that your guests have something to occupy themselves with while they wait!
5. Choose Your Wedding Attire Carefully
If you're worried about the weather, one of the most practical things you can do is choose your wedding attire with rain in mind. For example:
• Consider the material your dress or suit is made from. Lighter and thinner materials, such as chiffon, may not be warm - but they'll dry quickly
• Think about the length of your dress. A longer dress will not only be heavier when it gets wet, but it'll take longer to dry, and the hem risks getting muddy
• Choose closed-toe shoes over sandals or open-toe shoes. Also, stay away from stiletto heels that are at risk of sinking in the mud
• If you're wearing a shrug or shawl, steer clear of faux fur and thick, fluffy fabrics. They'll get soaked, and will take an age to dry off
You could also pack a lightweight poncho, just in case. They might not be beautiful, but they'll prevent your outfit from getting ruined.
6. Pack a Change of Clothes
If there's a chance it could rain, it's a good idea to pack a change of clothes - just in case. This way, if your original wedding outfit gets wet, muddy or ruined, you can change out of it and have something comfy and dry to put on.
This doesn't necessarily mean you have to buy a second wedding gown. But it may be wise to pack an extra formal dress and pair of shoes to change into for the reception, if your wedding dress is refusing to dry.
7. Get the Bridal Umbrellas Ready
In the UK, it's always worth bringing an umbrella along on a day out, even if the forecast says it's going to be sunny! Fortunately, you don't have to settle for your emergency wrinkled black umbrella that you keep at the bottom of your handbag.
You can buy beautiful, white bridal umbrellas that will coordinate perfectly with any wedding theme and look great in your wedding photos. These will not only protect you and your wedding party from the rain, but they'll also keep your hair and makeup looking good for as long as possible.
8. Wear Waterproof Makeup and Hairspray
The last thing you want is for your mascara and eyeliner to start running and smudging, making you look like a panda in your wedding photo album.
But you don't have to forego the makeup completely if you suspect it might rain on your big day. Luckily, waterproof makeup exists, and you can also get makeup setting spray to help keep everything looking good. You can use hairspray to keep your hairstyle in place, even if you get caught in a downpour.
9. Have Wellies and Raincoats on Standby
It's always a good idea to have a pair of wellies and a raincoat on standby, just in case the weather takes a turn for the worse on your wedding day. Wellington boots and waterproof jackets may not look the most stylish in your pictures, but they will prevent your beautiful wedding dress and shoes from getting ruined. If you're having your wedding breakfast or reception indoors, you only need wear them for the ceremony, and can take them off when you get inside.
If you're feeling generous, you could also source some wellies and rain macs for your bridal party, too - make sure to get everyone's shoe size beforehand!
10. Warn Your Wedding Guests
If you're worried that the weather might not be the greatest on your big day, and all or part of your wedding will be taking place outdoors, it's a good idea to warn your wedding guests in advance. This way, they can wear weather-appropriate footwear, and come prepared with umbrellas and waterproof coats just in case.
Customise your wedding invitations with a wet weather warning, to prevent your guests from being caught off-guard. If there's no place, include a wedding note card alongside your invitations to alert your guests to the possibility of rain.
11. Talk to Your Photographer
Your photographer will be one of the most important people on your wedding day, as they'll be responsible for capturing all of the day’s precious moments in beautiful photographs. Memories fade, but your wedding pictures will last forever, making them one of the most valuable wedding keepsakes.
If you're worried about the weather, it's a good idea to talk to your photographer about it beforehand. This way, they can plan accordingly and make sure that they have the right equipment to capture your photos even in wet weather, and protect all of their equipment. You might even find that your photographer has some great rainy wedding day photo ideas!
Don’t Forget to Enjoy Your Wedding Day!
Unfortunately, as much as you’d like your wedding day to be perfect, nobody can control the weather. Rain can be unpredictable, so it's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of a downpour on your wedding day. But despite the weather, remember to enjoy your wedding day! After all, you only get one chance to walk down the aisle and say your vows. The most important thing is that you marry the person you love, no matter what the weather is like.
Are you searching for the perfect wedding invitations, stationery, and accessories? If so, head to Bride and Groom Direct. We have a beautiful collection of inspiring wedding invitations, save the dates and more to choose from, in a variety of colours and styles. Visit our website today to browse our gorgeous designs and find your favourites.