Outdoor wedding, and it's supposed to rain...

cborries

I know that it's still a month away, but I checked the forecast for our wedding day, and it's supposed to consistently rain over the next 4 weeks, including on our wedding weekend.  Whatever.  I can't control the weather, and we knew this was a possibility at this time of year and at our location.  I'm not going to freak out about it.  But as we're finalizing all the details, I'm wondering...

Have you been to an outdoor wedding where it rained?  What was good/bad about it?  What would have made it less miserable for you?

We have tents already, but I'm thinking about wrangling up some outdoor heaters, umbrellas, and towels.  Any other suggestions to make the guests more comfortable?  

wandajune6

I think you've covered it all.

I went to an outdoor wedding with rain that was a mess. They were unprepared and we were all cold and fussy. The bride was so upset that she made us all feel it. With towels, heaters, and a sense of humor, it would still have been a fabulous night. Warm drinks are also welcome.

One more quick thing: make sure it's easy to get to the bathroom without getting wet or muddy. Hers was a mess despite tents because they had no way for you to get to the bathroom without soaking and people got super muddy on the walk.

You'll all have a blast!

Angusaur

What area are you in? I'm in PA and when it rains, it's still humid and hot. I feel like if I had a heater as well I'd be down right miserable. I think umbrellas and towels are a good idea.

cborries

We're in Alaska.  The forecast says it should be about 65 degrees.  For us, that's still pretty warm.    But for out of state guests, it might be a little chilly.

cborries

wandajune6 said:

I think you've covered it all.

I went to an outdoor wedding with rain that was a mess. They were unprepared and we were all cold and fussy. The bride was so upset that she made us all feel it. With towels, heaters, and a sense of humor, it would still have been a fabulous night. Warm drinks are also welcome.

One more quick thing: make sure it's easy to get to the bathroom without getting wet or muddy. Hers was a mess despite tents because they had no way for you to get to the bathroom without soaking and people got super muddy on the walk.

You'll all have a blast!

Good idea!  I didn't even think about that!  I'll have to let FI know.

beachyone15

The heater idea is fabulous. I went to a wedding where it poured so hard the rain was being blown sideways. Even though we were all still under a gazebo, it was cold and miserable. The couple had the ceremony outside but thank goodness we moved inside for the reception. Also I remember how sad it made me that the bride's gown got muddy (although she didn't seem to care). So having some sort of walk-able path would be good. What about serving hot drinks? Cider, or some kind of hot signature drink?

lyndausvi

My wedding was in the middle of a tropical storm.  It was to be on the beach but it ended up under a tent.    I will admit, it was hot and humid under the tent.  I wish we had more fans to cool things down. 

The sail on boat on the cake fell.  And the wind blew the tablecloth up onto the cake.  

Here is how I had to dress to get to outside:

The best advice I can give you is not worry about what you can not control.   A happy couple will make happy guests.  A sad and disappointed couple will make for sad guests who feel sorry for you. 

   I knew on Tuesday before the wedding the storm was coming.  Our planner didn't want to think like that..   Whatever, dude,  It's coming.   I told DH that if we are happy the guests will also be happy.  If we are all sad and upset we are not getting our beach wedding the guests will be sad and disappointed for us.   We both said the most important thing was we were getting married.  

The reception was a BLAST.   We had a great time.  Food, booze and a great DJ made for an awesome party.   Dance floor was packed.

People still talk about how much fun they had and how our attitudes were great.   Some women flat out said in the same situation they would have lost it.  

Your wedding is a month away. I suggest stepping away from weather.com for now.   10 days before my dad's party there was an 80% chance of rain.  The day off it was beautiful with no clouds in the sky.  If there is rain, then just go with the follow and remember rain should not stop you from the main goal of the day.... GETTING MARRIED.

AddieCake

One I went to, we waited inside until it let up. At another, they just moved it into the reception space. At my own, it was only misting, but we considered moving inside to the reception space. Fortunately, it let up in time.

lyndausvi

oh, rain in Alaska is a little different than rain in South Jersey in the Summer.   Heaters might be a good idea.  But it still might be humid.  With the sides down it might keep it warm enough.

ElcaB

It rained on my sister's wedding day. The ceremony was supposed to be outside & as we pulled up to the venue, everyone was still inside waiting to see if it'd stop. Five minutes before the ceremony start, it did! Some of the guys wiped down the chairs with towels and the sun came out right as she walked down the aisle. It was perfect. 

SBmini

ElcaB said:

It rained on my sister's wedding day. The ceremony was supposed to be outside & as we pulled up to the venue, everyone was still inside waiting to see if it'd stop. Five minutes before the ceremony start, it did! Some of the guys wiped down the chairs with towels and the sun came out right as she walked down the aisle. It was perfect. 

This is what happened to my parents too. It rained and rained and rained and then 10 minutes before the start time the clouds broke open and everything was beautiful and perfect! It ALMOST rained on my wedding day too. A storm came in at about 8pm the night before. Everyone was super worried, but I was too exhausted about worrying to worry. Woke up the next morning and was greeted with the most beautiful sky filled with puffy white clouds. It ended up being a little cold and the grass was a little soggy, but everything was fine.

E71126

I got married a couple of weeks ago.

As we were taking pictures outside before our beautiful outdoor ceremony, we started to feel raindrops. Horrible downpour started 15 minutes before it was set to start.

We had to shuffle everyone inside the nearest building and wait for it to stop enough to get everyone over to the back up ceremony location, which was also my reception. Wasn't what we planned.

My mom was crying, but my husband and I kept our cool, and we got married.

It wasn't in front of a beautiful oak tree, but instead in the middle of our reception with everyone seated at the dinner tables. It will work out. You will still be married. Yes, it is disappointing, but that is life! Good luck!

sarahufl

We went to a wedding last year that was at a family home- primarily outside, but had the house we could use. It started to POUR post-ceremony. Next thing you know, the bride and groom are outside dancing up a storm in the rain, so we all joined. Had a blast!

That said, it rains. Crap happens, just try to prepare as best you can and have a good time regardless.