Have a Rain or Excessive Sun Plan
Weather changes, so be ready, not sorry with a “B” plan!
Everyone loves outdoor weddings, receptions or other events. Nature can provide lovely, memorable settings for a wedding. But, the most special day of your life can be ruined if you do not have a rain plan. Not only do you need a “rain plan”, but you must communicate it to your vendors. Nothing like a little or worse, a lot of rain on your event. Not only can it be hazardous if there electricity set up, but something as simple as your makeup and your hair could really be ruined! Remember it isn’t just rain that can ruin an event. A unexpected high temperature or humidity, combined with a lack of shade could actually hurt people, especially the elderly!
A story from our experience to illustrate my point . . .
A Japanese bride chose to have her wedding at the Japanese Garden in the Missouri Botanical Garden. Her family came from Japan for the event. But Mother Nature intervened and rained that day. The bride anguished with no rain plan and when it came the exact hour of the ceremony, she had still not moved her ceremony indoors. All of her vendors, like the quartet, were put in a holding pattern, effecting the music with an hour-long prelude after she decided to move indoors to their auditorium and make the necessary arrangements! Instead of her happiest moment, it turned into something chaotic for everyone.
Finally, if you are going to have an event outdoors, always consider hiring a large tent, especially if it is a summertime. A tent can provide shelter in rain or excess heat with no shade!
My suggestion is to have your reception site available early as your rain site. I also recommend you make the decision no later than one hour prior to the ceremony so that everything can be ready! Remember that vendors like catering firms and musicians must be able to make accommodations for the back-up venue. Power, tables, and other supporting equipment has to be moved and re-set up. In some cases you may need to move tables, chairs, and decorations if you want the backup venue to be as memorable as possible to your original location. All this takes time!
With technology, if weather threatens, you can react before it is too late. As it is, your wedding day is going to be pretty hectic, having a “rain plan” will allow you to minimize stress and make sure your wedding, reception or both are memorable for the right reason.