Rain Rain Go Away!

All of this wet, spring weather got us to thinking...what is a bride to do if there is rain on her wedding day?

We've all heard the old adage that wedding day rain brings good luck and a happy marriage. Whether you believe this or not, there is always a chance rain will fall on your Big Day. Here are some tips for making the most of whatever Mother Nature brings you:

Begin with a positive outlook. A wet forecast doesn't have to mean disaster. Sure, a rainy day is less than ideal, but rain or no rain you are still having a wedding. If wet weather is a certainty at the beginning of your wedding week, task a few bridesmaids to seek out fun, colorful umbrellas to use on the day of the wedding. Even in bleak weather they will create a cheerful atmosphere and will make for great props to use in your wedding photographs.



Make the most of it. Contrary to what you may think, the soft lighting associated with overcast days creates an ideal situation for taking stunning photographs. While harsh sunlight can create unwanted shadows, diffused lighting results in beautiful, even skin tones. And remember those colorful umbrellas? Who needs sunshine when you can add bursts of color to your wedding photographs with these simple props. Be open minded and let the creativity flow...we're sure it will lead to great results.



Planning is everything! To make wet weather less of an issue, create a backup plan in advance for dealing with inclement weather.

Although rain may not thwart an indoor wedding, it may make the logistics of getting to and from the church or venue more difficult. In the case of really messy weather, brides may want to finish dressing on location. The best way to expedite this is to be completely ready except for the gown. The gown should be wrapped in double plastic covers for transport. The bride should wear her jewelry, any special undergarments and an extra pair of shoes so she is ready to just slip on her gown and bridal shoes upon arriving at the ceremony location. If dressing on location is impractical, it is still best to wait to put on your bridal shoes until right before the ceremony.

If you are planning an outdoor wedding, ask your venue contact about backup locations should the weather force you to move the ceremony indoors. For weddings in tents, discuss ordering a floor at the time of your reservation to avoid a muddy reception.

I personally know two happily married couples whose wedding days had less than perfect weather. Both couples got married in August when New England weather is typically at its best: one in Connecticut and one on Martha's Vineyard. The Connecticut wedding was planned as both an outside ceremony and reception in a beautiful tent along the river. The wedding day began with light rain but by the afternoon, torrential downpours had developed with no signs of improvement.

Although they didn't have a formal plan for bad weather (when does it rain in August!), the bride said their venue contact quickly came up with an alternative indoor location: a vacant dining room. Flowers and decorations from the tent were brought in and the room was filled with candles. There was no room for seating so the wedding party and guests huddled around the bride and groom for the candlelit ceremony. The bride said it was so much more intimate and special than what they had originally planned.

The other bride not only dealt with torrential downpours, she got married on Martha's Vineyard the weekend of a hurricane. Image having only half your guests able to arrive at your destination because inclement weather shuts down both water and air travel. Three and five years later, both couples recount their wedding days with laughter. At the very least, it makes for a great story!

Written by Chelle Subber

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