Question for all of you outdoor brides, do you all have backup plans incase the weather is not ideal? We are having an October barn wedding in Pennsylvania, with the ceremony being held outside under a willow tree. I'm not sure what the best thing to do is:
1. We could rent a tent, which seems like the least hassle, although if it is nice outside I know I wont want to use it. That means paying a huge sum of money (at least 1300$) to get a tent big enough to seat 200, only to let it sit there if the sun is shining.
2. We could have a church on stand-by. We would be willing to pay them regarless of use, as a $200 fee is a lot less ridiculous if out weather holds up. This could also get tricky in the days before the wedding trying to inform 200 people that the venue has changed and they need to go to the church, not the barn.
3. We could do nothing, and if the day comes and the weather is bad, we move the ceremony inside of the barn. The seating is less than optimal for this as its sort of an "L" shaped area and the people around the corner wouldnt be able to see anything. There also isn't really a good area to say "i do" there other than in front of the restrooms? I'd like to avoid this option I think, althought it seems the most cost effective and will cause the fewest communication issues?
4. We could do nothing, get married outside regardless of weather, and if it rains we can talk for years to come about our first kiss in the rain. This seems romantic in my head, and I dont think that I would mind it, but the 200 soggy guests might be less than happy.
What are you planning on doing? What seems like the best decision in your experience?