Outdoor weddings are super trendy right now, especially on the Jersey Shore, offering endless opportunities to throw a gorgeous, scenic party. Of course, the high season for weddings is June through October and, unfortunately, so is hurricane season. That’s why it’s so important to have a rain plan.
Plan Your Shelter.
Talk to your planner and venue about the possibility for an indoor alternative in case of rain. There is normally an indoor option for your ceremony, even if it means smaller guest attendance. If that’s not an option, consider how much coverage you’ll need (literally the square footage) and make sure you have an adequate number of tents, just in case. Even if it turns out to be a sunny day, having extra shade is never a bad idea.
Embrace the Rain.
If you see rain forecasted for your wedding day, do not panic. This is what your planner is for. In a perfect world, you’ve had weeks of meetings to map out your big day and any backup plan you may need.
Looking at things optimistically, being forced to pivot will keep you present on your big day! As the old adage goes, “A wet knot holds tighter.” Rain is often seen as good luck forecasting a successful marriage. Plus, it offers the opportunity for some special photos to commemorate it all.
Get Creative.
Speaking of photography, it’s worth touching base with your photographer ahead of the big day and collaborating on some ideas to incorporate the rain into your photos. A bulk order of clear umbrellas not only keeps your wedding party dry, but brings a creative visual element into play! Find my favorites here.
Open the Dance Floor Early.
When there’s no indoor option, the best case scenario is to move your wedding ceremony to the dance floor. From there, you have two options: bring all your guests to their seats early to watch the ceremony, or keep the ceremony guest list small and send the rest of your guests straight to cocktail hour.
The latter allows for the grand reveal of your reception to keep that magic you’ve been planning for. Your guests will understand the need to adjust and will appreciate that you thought about their comfort!
Pro-tip: If your photographer/videographer is open to it, ask them to upload highlights from your ceremony to the DJ’s video screen, so your guests can enjoy the moments they missed during dinner.
Ask your venue if it’s possible to have your reception space set up and ready to go earlier, so that table-setting doesn’t interrupt your vows. This might look like beautifully set tables, with the chairs temporarily relocated to the dance floor.
Once you’ve said “I do,” have your bartenders open up shop and ask the DJ to turn up the tunes right away, so you can welcome your guests under the cover of your tent (or in your cocktail hour space, if applicable) to get the party started rather than waiting outside in the rain. While guests are migrating to the bar, your servers will return the chairs to their tables and everyone can begin everyone’s favorite part of the day, cocktail hour.
Always Carry Wedding Insurance
A great planner once told me: if you can’t pay for a wedding twice, you need wedding insurance.
In the case of a serious storm, like the nor’easter we saw last month, conditions may become too dangerous to follow through with a wedding. Sometimes a state of emergency will prevent your loved ones from traveling, even if they’re willing to brave the elements. High winds, major flooding and power outages often result in road closures and flight cancellations. In serious weather events, rescheduling is the safest option. No amount of preparation can protect you against this if you don’t have a good insurance policy.
My favorite policy to recommend is Travelers Wedding & Special Event Insurance for all of the coverage options offered. Plan costs range between $500 to $3,000 depending on what you’d like covered and how much you’re spending overall. Regardless of what you’re spending, this is a small price to pay for a safety net that could save the biggest day of your life!
Getting married and need a planner? I’m here for you. Let’s grab coffee and talk about how I can take stress off your plate so you can enjoy planning your big day. I genuinely cannot wait to hear from you!
XOXO,
Sydney Wade
