You can plan, plan, and plan some more when it comes to your wedding. One thing that can be unpredictable no matter how much planning has transpired is the weather. But there are things you can do should last-minute clouds roll in or temps drop below comfort level. Here are some tips for unpredictable weather and how to handle it for your wedding.
LIKE A SCOUT
Just like a scout, be prepared. If weather is a concern, start tracking it. Sure, we all have our favorite weather prediction websites like weather underground and weather.com, but those work best for when it’s close to your wedding date. If you want to plan ahead, you can check out the Farmer’s Almanac weather prediction tools. While they are about 80% accurate, they have Long Range Weather Forecasts that can help plan a bit (up to two months in advance) for your wedding date. They also have a Weather History tool if you want to see typical patterns for your date in the past.
Another important way to be prepared is to know how much lead time your vendors need to adjust your wedding should mother nature have other plans. It’s good to have this info in advance so you can make a “plan b”.
WITH UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER, RENTALS ARE YOUR FRIEND
If temps drop suddenly and you were planning an outdoor ceremony or reception, consider renting heaters. If rain is on the way, you might need a last-minute tent. For ceremonies, having umbrellas on hand would be helpful. And fans are a great choice for heatwaves!
A PLANNER CAN HELP THINGS LOOK SEAMLESS
Bentley Bates, planner for Honey B Wedding Planning, wants guests unaware of the adjustments that need to be made if a rolling storm approaches, “I am used to sweating in secret. A change in regards to the weather is common here in Minnesota; or should I say, Minne-SNOW-ta. Regardless of the quick changes I need to make, I always notify and check in with the couple. Once I notify them, I go ahead and make phone calls in a quiet place where no one sees me. Then, when the tent arrives, it’s like magic! Not one guest knows how it was dealt with, but it made the day so much better. If I ever need a breather or time to figure out logistics, I always handle it in private, come up with a plan, and execute. This creates an effortless day that the couple will remember being fun, rather than stressful!”
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Anna Quigley, a day-of coordinator for Your Day Coordinations, attends not only the rehearsal “but also the rehearsal dinner so that I can get to know the bridal party. I determine who my people are that will be around the next day that I can look to if I need a few extra hands for a few minutes here and there! They also get to know me, which makes them much more willing to help out the next day if needed!” This way, if a location has to be switched due to changes in weather, Anna is prepared and has back-up helpers “to make sure that the bride and groom can be guests at their own wedding and that together we are going to make sure that they have the perfect day!”
TRY TO STAY CALM — FUN CAN FOLLOW!
Bates recalls a wedding when the weather predicted wasn’t ideal. In fact, there were supposed to be severe thunderstorms throughout. When the weather cleared for the ceremony, everyone thought they were in the clear. “However, during cocktail hour, guests were outside enjoying their drinks when I noticed the entire sky was yellow-green and the air was thin. I knew it was time to get everyone inside. As everyone was making their way inside, the tornado warning siren went off,” Bates explains.
“I notified all of the vendors and the DJ to make an announcement to let the guests know. The guests were inside at the safest location in the venue. I told the DJ to play music and continue with cocktail hour. Both myself and the venue manager were constantly checking the weather on the radar and checking in with local authorities. The warning was over within 10 minutes and guests could proceed to move freely about the venue. I believe that the safety of the guests is top priority. Later that night, the couple and some guests came to thank me for making it a safe & fun environment during the storm.”
Bates’ best advice is to remember while you can’t control the weather, you can ask vendors how they handle unpredictable weather changes and by having a handle on this, you’ll feel better. Bates says, “knowing your vendor’s capabilities will ease your stress on the big day. Remember, some of the most unpredictable elements in a wedding, make for the greatest memories.”
Quigley also had a good point that couples should remember when it comes to making last minute changes, “Guests won’t know any of the things that needed to change last minute, so remember why [you] are getting married in the first place and no matter what happens, you get to marry your best friend and it will be beautiful no matter if its inside or outside.”
