Rain On Your Wedding Day

This week our guest blogger, Lillie Read, gives you a step by step guide on how to stay graceful in the event of rain on your wedding day. However, if you book an elopement or tiny wedding with Sweet Grass Weddings, we have already taken many precautions to keep our wedding couples dry and happy!

As a child of the 90s I can’t think about rain and weddings without simultaneously hearing “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette in my head.  And while there are some who would argue – at literally any opportunity – that rain on your wedding day is not an example of irony, but coincidence; I think everyone can agree that wedding-day rain is one of the most anxiety causing aspects of having an outdoor wedding.

Now, if you are planning to have your wedding outside, I think it fairly safe to assume that you like the outdoors and respect Nature as a potentially fickle mistress.  That said,  forewarned is forearmed so with a little preplanning you can prepare an excellent contingency plan that will allow you to rest easy on your wedding day knowing that, whatever happens, you are covered – so to speak.

Since you won’t get a hint about the weather forecast until about 10 days before the wedding (always the busiest time) it is important to have your Plan B in place well before that happens.  When it comes to inclement weather, attitude and fortitude are what will carry the day but a good plan will allow you to have some extra breathing room if things suddenly take a turn for the worse.  Here are some tips to help get you started.

Scout Your Location In Advance
The location is one of the most important features of the wedding experience and once the perfect location is found, it can be hard to imagine going anywhere else.  That being said,have you taken a moment to determine where you can go if it rains?  Not just where you will have the ceremony, but where you will hold the reception, take the pictures, and even park.  Consider the terrain then imagine it in the rain – you don’t want your fancy event tent to be situated in middle of a low-lying or poorly drained field, for instance.  A little advance work in this department can save you a lot of heartache on the actual day.  If you’re preparing for rain you also have to prepare to get creative, so don’t forget deep overhangs or heavy foliage as places where you can dash for some dry pictures during the event.

Talk To Your Wedding Photographer 

If you’re having an outdoor wedding make sure your photographer is prepared to shoot in the rain and knows how to get great shots.  Backlighting yourself against the rain drops can create a wonderful sparkling effect and don’t forget to use city lights and street lights as ways of playing off the rain.  Of course storm clouds, and even rainbows, can crop up on a rainy day and both will create amazing drama in a shot.  Then there’s the use of reflection; in puddles, on wet pavements, or in windows these images always have a lot of interest and appeal.  Finally, there is motion – splashing in puddles, ducking under umbrellas, running through the rain, there is a host of ways to invite the rain into your pictures rather than keeping it at arm’s length.  The most important thing is that your photographer is confident in their skills and can take charge of the situation, leaving you free to go with the flow.

Be Flexible With Your Timeline
Your Plan B may not have the same flow as Plan A, so be flexible with your timeline to avoid a meltdown if it rains.  Find a good weather radar app and check it before the event.  A pop-up shower will look different than a tropical storm so you should be able to see whether the rain is just passing through or here for the duration.  Also consider that there may be a break in the rain when you least expect it, so be prepared to take advantage of that.  Make sure your photographer knows to look for breaks in the weather so they can direct people for pictures as necessary.  Don’t forget to talk with your band or DJ about how they can cover any gaps in the timeline should such a break occur.  You may even want to have a few rain themed songs on hand just to be safe.

 Bring Backup Gear
Infrastructure is essential.  There are a few key items that can turn rain from a disaster into a memorable event and chief among them are umbrellas, rain boots, towels, and garbage bags.  With umbrellas and rain boots first decide if you want to pick up a coordinated set for your wedding party or if you want something stand-out for yourself.  Consider your colors when making a selection or opt for a clear umbrella, which lets in extra light for your photographer.  Rain boots will let you conquer even the soggiest terrain, which will grant you rainy day photography options that heels could only dream of.  Don’t forget to keep the tags on everything so they can be returned if it’s sunny, but definitely make sure to plan this in advance.  Though humble, towels and garbage bags are also crucial if rain is threatening.  They can dry off wet surfaces, protect clothes during pictures, and will help delicate equipment, like cameras, sound systems, and electronics stay safe from the weather.

Consider Hair and Make-up
Hair and make-up can be challenging to maintain in the rain, but there are some things you can do for preemptive damage control.  Use a high quality primer to help your make-up set and opt for a lightweight moisturizer which will help keep shine down in high humidity.  Blotting papers are also a great item to have on hand because they will control shine without adding extra color and they’re easy to keep with you throughout the day.  For a truly weather-proof look consider airbrushed make-up, which is very long wearing, lasting from 12-24 hours.  A silicone based formula will provide a virtually waterproof finish and the final product will be truly flawless no matter what the day brings.  Lastly, waterproof mascara, which is a must for any wedding, is essential when rain is threatening.  Then, if you do get rained on and need to dry off, make sure to pat your face dry – don’t rub!  And, as a last resort you can always check to see if your make-up artist will stay at least part way through the event to provide touch ups as needed.

Share Your Plan B
Now that you’ve done all this planning, make sure to share your thoughts with your wedding planner, fiancé, best friend, parent, or other trusted person.  This is particularly important for DIY weddings that don’t have a planner.  Make sure somebody knows not only what to do (move gifts inside, set up party tent, find umbrellas) but how to do it (put gifts on patio table, find party tent in hall closet, get umbrellas from green bag).  Choose someone outside of the wedding party who you know will be able to implement and delegate because those crucial few moments before you walk down the aisle should be reserved for calming nerves and reflecting on the moment, not moving chairs or hunting for infrastructure.

When All Else Fails – Smile
There is an old proverb that says: “Man plans and God laughs”.  It is a good reminder that, even with all this planning, you may yet be surprised on your wedding day.  The most important thing to remember is that your wedding is a joyous occasion and you should treat is as such.  Your attitude is going to be the biggest determiner of how you, and your guests, remember your wedding so try to maintain a positive perspective.  If you are exuding happiness and love then people will respond to that because there is literally nothing more radiant than a happy couple on their wedding day.  Remind yourself to let your joy shine even if the sun isn’t.  Regardless of the weather, focus on the symbolism of what is taking place and reflect on the fact that it is harder to untie a wet knot than a dry one.  If you and your intended can forge through bad weather, adapt to unexpected circumstances, and maintain grace and aplomb while doing it then you’re well on your way to developing the skills needed for a successful marriage.

How to Cancel Your Wedding and Elope Instead

This blog was guest written by Lillie Read

The renegade tradition of elopement has, in all likelihood, been around nearly as long as the storied institution of marriage.  For much of our history, and in some places still today, a woman was considered her father’s property until she married, which often made eloping a necessity in the event of a contested or controversial courtship.  In those days, choosing to elope was a daunting and sometimes risky prospect.  Now, most modern couples now have the luxury of turning to elopement as a choice, rather than a necessity, but the thorny question still remains – how does one announce that an elopement will take place (or has already…)?

If there are currently plans in the works to hold a wedding this confessional process may become a bit more complicated; particularly if deposits have been paid and services booked.  Now, you always have the option of doing what one of my dear friends did – take the $10,000 your parents gave you for expenses and abscond to Jamaica – but that approach may not resonate for everyone.  In which case, what does one do when it becomes clear that eloping is the right choice?

First things first – take a deep breath and remember that your wedding is, most importantly, all about YOU.  The ceremony is a reflection of your commitment to your mate so the only misstep you can make is not being true to what you want. Now with that done, the next consideration is how to break the news to your friends and family, which may cause some tension.  It is advisable to prepare yourself for mixed reactions, but try your best to keep the “elopement prime directive” in mind – your wedding is all about you.

The best thing to do is to inform those closest to you about your decision in advance.  If you want to do the wedding solo, kindly – but firmly – telling them of your decision helps avoid hurt feelings and surprises after the fact.  Finding creative ways of making them feel included in the experience can go a long way towards smoothing any ruffled feathers so consider having a priority picture viewing party or allowing your loved ones to host a post-elopement reception.  In all likelihood your people just want the opportunity to celebrate this life changing event with you, so try and be sensitive to that in your approach.

Then there is the question of money.  If you have decided to elope after your wedding has been booked, money is often one of the first issues to crop up; especially if you have family contributing funds to the wedding. Before you dismiss the idea of elopement talk to the family members in question and see where they stand – you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. If money has already been put down on a venue, or services, then offer to pay back that amount, or deduct it from the overall budget.  While it may not be necessary, it comes across as respectful of the contribution and will certainly be appreciated.  This too can help alleviate some of the uncertainty that comes with announcing a significant change of plans.

Of course, part of the appeal of eloping is that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg – one does not have to go to Jamaica, after all, to have a great wedding.  Planning a small, intimate ceremony is increasingly popular and in many ways this approach offers far more flexibility for creating an intensely personal and meaningful experience.  With that in mind, don’t forget to record the event and hire a knowledgeable person to help it go smoothly.  Even though you may not want all the trappings that come with a big wedding, there are three things you DO want when planning an elopement: a local planner, a good photographer, and a reliable officiant.

As with any wedding the pinnacle of the event is the presentation of the newly wedded couple.  With an elopement your big reveal happens a little differently but you shouldn’t be afraid to celebrate it all the same.  Take time to send wedding announcements so people are sure to know about this life changing event.  Not only does it create excitement for the recipient, it underscores that your wedding – though small – was important.  Take time to share pictures via social media, email, or even post mail and allow folks the opportunity to connect with your wedding and share in your joy.

No matter what your approach, make sure to honor yourself and don’t be afraid to stand up for your vision.  If all else fails – there’s still Jamaica.