Rain and gloom on your wedding day?
October 6, 2016 11:12 AM Subscribe
While I am glad we won't get Hurricane Matthew, it's expected to rain and be gloomy on my wedding day. I am devastated. Recommendations for making it more enjoyable?
The ceremony and cocktail is supposed to be outdoors in a garden, with a jazz trio.The reception is in a building. We were going to have our dogs there. My dress has a huuuge train.
We bought a few clear umbrellas. Besides that I'm not sure how else to prepare. I'm super sad we maybe stuck inside the reception building, which is brick and slightly dark (with fairy lights above).
Did anyone have a rainy wedding and any advice?
The ceremony and cocktail is supposed to be outdoors in a garden, with a jazz trio.The reception is in a building. We were going to have our dogs there. My dress has a huuuge train.
We bought a few clear umbrellas. Besides that I'm not sure how else to prepare. I'm super sad we maybe stuck inside the reception building, which is brick and slightly dark (with fairy lights above).
Did anyone have a rainy wedding and any advice?
Well, I didn't have a rainy wedding, but I did have an indoor reception, so two things:
- you have time to work on the interior lighting. Suggest more fairy lights - a ton of them - enough to make it sparkling winter wonderland. Maybe you can turn down the other lights, to make it super glamorous. I was just at a wedding in a very lavish hotel where the dancing was done in club lighting conditions and it was awesome. Nobody would have busted out their best moves in full light.
- with regard to your rainy day. Outside weddings are rough! I was at one once that was so terribly hot in the pretty garden that they had to delay the ceremony so someone could go buy fans for all the guests, and someone fainted. It was pretty awful. I was at a June wedding once that should have been perfect and instead they got a fog so cold that the bride borrowed a poncho from someone for the ceremony. I'm glad to hear you have the option of going indoors and I'd concentrate on that.
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:19 AM on October 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
- you have time to work on the interior lighting. Suggest more fairy lights - a ton of them - enough to make it sparkling winter wonderland. Maybe you can turn down the other lights, to make it super glamorous. I was just at a wedding in a very lavish hotel where the dancing was done in club lighting conditions and it was awesome. Nobody would have busted out their best moves in full light.
- with regard to your rainy day. Outside weddings are rough! I was at one once that was so terribly hot in the pretty garden that they had to delay the ceremony so someone could go buy fans for all the guests, and someone fainted. It was pretty awful. I was at a June wedding once that should have been perfect and instead they got a fog so cold that the bride borrowed a poncho from someone for the ceremony. I'm glad to hear you have the option of going indoors and I'd concentrate on that.
posted by fingersandtoes at 11:19 AM on October 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
Remember why you're doing it - for the marriage, the life together with the one you love.
I had a really fantastic sunny-day wedding and the marriage was awful. Keep your eyes on the prize. Congratulations!
posted by headnsouth at 11:25 AM on October 6, 2016 [36 favorites]
I had a really fantastic sunny-day wedding and the marriage was awful. Keep your eyes on the prize. Congratulations!
posted by headnsouth at 11:25 AM on October 6, 2016 [36 favorites]
You'll be in a warm dry indoor space, while the outside is an inhospitable unappealing place to be. The contrast will make it feel cozier -- you could almost think of how you would decorate/light/etc for a winter wedding. Your reception space can be a refuge. Think of guests coming inside and gratefully doffing their raincoats, laughing and looking for a glass of something to warm up with.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:27 AM on October 6, 2016 [18 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:27 AM on October 6, 2016 [18 favorites]
Seconding fairy lights--they are super cheap on Amazon. Candles are also a great way to create cozy ambiance (if your venue allows them). I bought a pack of 144 votives from this site (looks like they are on sale!!) for my wedding and it made a huge difference.
posted by lovableiago at 11:29 AM on October 6, 2016
posted by lovableiago at 11:29 AM on October 6, 2016
Best answer: (I'll also say, we've been to weddings that had last-minute unavoidable changes of plan like this, and it can end up being more fun, more memorable and good humored we're-in-this-together feeling, when everybody knows you're having to kind of roll with it and improvise.)
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:33 AM on October 6, 2016 [17 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:33 AM on October 6, 2016 [17 favorites]
While it didn't actually rain during our (outdoor) ceremony, it threatened to. I brought colorful umbrellas, which meant we ended up with photos like this one.
We also made plans to move the ceremony to the reception (in a brewery) if it was raining too hard to stay outside, but it didn't happen.
posted by telophase at 11:42 AM on October 6, 2016 [8 favorites]
We also made plans to move the ceremony to the reception (in a brewery) if it was raining too hard to stay outside, but it didn't happen.
posted by telophase at 11:42 AM on October 6, 2016 [8 favorites]
You know it's good luck, right? Mr. BlahLaLa and I married on a rainy day, and we're coming up on anniversary #22, so...
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:08 PM on October 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 12:08 PM on October 6, 2016 [3 favorites]
I'd move all activities indoors and then work with the caterer or your planner to redo the floor plan and transitions if needed. I agree with the more lights recommendations! My Costco already has holiday lights on display, so you can get lots of them for a great price. Lights along walls is very nice, but you can also drape and tape them under serving tables and they glow through tablecloths and have a magical effect. LED lights are cool enough temperature-wise to hang behind drapery safely.
I know you imagined your day to be very different, and I'm sorry that weather has become a factor for you. Take some time to be sad/mad/disappointed and then brace and decide to will yourself to be happy and lighthearted about it. sweep the cloud away from over your head and go forward. Maybe make some inside joke phases with your future spouse and make each other giggle about the whole thing when you catch each other getting down. Congratulations on your wedding!!!
posted by quince at 12:09 PM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
I know you imagined your day to be very different, and I'm sorry that weather has become a factor for you. Take some time to be sad/mad/disappointed and then brace and decide to will yourself to be happy and lighthearted about it. sweep the cloud away from over your head and go forward. Maybe make some inside joke phases with your future spouse and make each other giggle about the whole thing when you catch each other getting down. Congratulations on your wedding!!!
posted by quince at 12:09 PM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was obsessed with the weather in the days leading up to my wedding, clicking the forecast WAY too many times a day to see if was improving. When the day came...I couldn't believe how. little. i. cared. I was SO happy, I was having SO much fun, the vibe was so positive and joyful that I wouldn't have noticed if it was sleeting.
I understand you have a picture in your mind and you have worked hard for this day, but my guess? It just won't really matter once you're in it. If you can't get a tent/marquee/canopy type thing for rain cover, just go with your plan b - it'll be FINE!
Also: if you have a good photographer, they can work some magic. Mine managed to grab us outside for superfast photo shoots in between showers, telling us soothingly that the light was actually great for portraits: no harsh shadows and lots of saturated colors. He worked magic - the pics were glorious, the day looks brighter than it was, everyone looks beautiful and what shines through is the happiness we felt on the day. I hope that's what you'll remember too! Congratulations!
posted by oneaday at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2016 [5 favorites]
I understand you have a picture in your mind and you have worked hard for this day, but my guess? It just won't really matter once you're in it. If you can't get a tent/marquee/canopy type thing for rain cover, just go with your plan b - it'll be FINE!
Also: if you have a good photographer, they can work some magic. Mine managed to grab us outside for superfast photo shoots in between showers, telling us soothingly that the light was actually great for portraits: no harsh shadows and lots of saturated colors. He worked magic - the pics were glorious, the day looks brighter than it was, everyone looks beautiful and what shines through is the happiness we felt on the day. I hope that's what you'll remember too! Congratulations!
posted by oneaday at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2016 [5 favorites]
We went to a wedding a couple years ago on the beach in San Diego, and it rained (in San Diego! in summer!). Everyone moved inside the small building on the premises and, I gotta say, everyone had a better time because of it. Really! Instead of having a bunch of people who don't know each other free to roam around a big outdoor space, we all had to mingle and be in close contact. We had so much fun. After boozy hour or two, people were even playing rain games, like a bridesmaid and a groomsman racing outside to see who could touch the building's sign (about 20 yards from the door) and get back first. The speeches people gave were amazing--some funny, some serious, almost all referencing the irony and unpredictable nature of rain on happiness, and the beauty of joy despite rain.
Lemons = lemonade, which is delicious.
Congratulations!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 12:11 PM on October 6, 2016 [6 favorites]
Lemons = lemonade, which is delicious.
Congratulations!
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 12:11 PM on October 6, 2016 [6 favorites]
It poured rain our entire wedding weekend and it was glorious. I cosign on the idea that rain outside of a love-and-joy filled building (even a slightly dark and brick one)=maximum coziness, especially if you add fairy-lights.
I think that shifting to an indoor ceremony may lead to less stress than hoping against hope that the weather shapes up. I believe that your wedding day is likely to be a lovely experience no matter what, but that making choices that minimize your stress leading up to it probably makes sense. Presumably, moving indoors solves the dress/train problem and a dog sitter should be able to occupy the dog post ceremony even if that requires running around outside a bit.
Congratulations and best of luck!
posted by jeszac at 12:19 PM on October 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
I think that shifting to an indoor ceremony may lead to less stress than hoping against hope that the weather shapes up. I believe that your wedding day is likely to be a lovely experience no matter what, but that making choices that minimize your stress leading up to it probably makes sense. Presumably, moving indoors solves the dress/train problem and a dog sitter should be able to occupy the dog post ceremony even if that requires running around outside a bit.
Congratulations and best of luck!
posted by jeszac at 12:19 PM on October 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
Instead of "gloom", think about how diffused soft light from overcast daytime skies makes gorgeous photographs where everyone looks pretty. If it's only occasional rain, work with your photographer to take advantage of this for small group shots outside when the rain lets up - the water will also make all the colors richer. They can set out temporary dry flooring (plywood with a rug on top is classic) in a small area for this so people don't get their feet wet.
See if you can add hot chocolate to the menu for maximum coziness.
And don't worry about your train. I've never seen a wedding train that wasn't a mess in some way or another - if it gets wet that's no big deal.
As for your dogs please consider that they wouldn't have had a clue what was going on anyway. They'd know if you were extra happy or extra stressed - so whatever takes that stress away is going to make your dogs happiest, and give them some extra hugs before you get your dress on.
posted by Mizu at 12:36 PM on October 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
See if you can add hot chocolate to the menu for maximum coziness.
And don't worry about your train. I've never seen a wedding train that wasn't a mess in some way or another - if it gets wet that's no big deal.
As for your dogs please consider that they wouldn't have had a clue what was going on anyway. They'd know if you were extra happy or extra stressed - so whatever takes that stress away is going to make your dogs happiest, and give them some extra hugs before you get your dress on.
posted by Mizu at 12:36 PM on October 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
You should play Alanis Morissette's "Ironic" (It's like RAIII-AIIIIIIIIN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY) while you walk down the aisle (or right before it, or for the recession). Not the whole song, maybe, but it will make everyone laugh, and feel good feelings about how you are rolling with it. Then you'll get a lot of loving anecdotes about how marriage is about taking the good with the bad and making the best of every situation because you are better together than apart no matter what.
Another option: some Pooh Bear "tut tut, it looks like rain!" signage next to a stand full of umbrellas.
In general, signalling to guests that you aren't letting the rain get you down (even if you kind of are) gives them room to make a fun experience out of it, rather than everyone worrying your dreams are being crushed. In turn, their lifted spirits will be catching for you.
posted by a fiendish thingy at 12:38 PM on October 6, 2016
Another option: some Pooh Bear "tut tut, it looks like rain!" signage next to a stand full of umbrellas.
In general, signalling to guests that you aren't letting the rain get you down (even if you kind of are) gives them room to make a fun experience out of it, rather than everyone worrying your dreams are being crushed. In turn, their lifted spirits will be catching for you.
posted by a fiendish thingy at 12:38 PM on October 6, 2016
i've heard that in some cultures rain on your wedding day is considered lucky!
ha we had a June wedding (the ceremony was outside) and had sleet that day (go figure) - it was hella sweet though, despite climate malfunction. but i feel you. maybe try to frame it as an opportunity to make cozy things happen, maybe fluffy throws and warm lights and totes let your photographer know if youre gonna be a more moodlit situation?
cloudy/rainy can really create a magical ambience. but maybe skip throwing the rice (if thats in the program) but have guests blow bubbles or something? also, if theres kiddos, maybe supplying em with some crafty stuff or colors or something might be nice if they cant run around so much?
posted by speakeasy at 12:39 PM on October 6, 2016
ha we had a June wedding (the ceremony was outside) and had sleet that day (go figure) - it was hella sweet though, despite climate malfunction. but i feel you. maybe try to frame it as an opportunity to make cozy things happen, maybe fluffy throws and warm lights and totes let your photographer know if youre gonna be a more moodlit situation?
cloudy/rainy can really create a magical ambience. but maybe skip throwing the rice (if thats in the program) but have guests blow bubbles or something? also, if theres kiddos, maybe supplying em with some crafty stuff or colors or something might be nice if they cant run around so much?
posted by speakeasy at 12:39 PM on October 6, 2016
I eloped and have no tale to tell. Doing a Google image search on "cosy brick indoor wedding" and "rainy outdoor wedding" brings up lots of pretty pictures that should help spark more ideas. Human beings don't do perfect, and neither does Mother Nature. It will still be a wonderful wedding if you can let go of your weather woes. Easier said than done, I know. Happy wedding!
posted by Bella Donna at 12:54 PM on October 6, 2016
posted by Bella Donna at 12:54 PM on October 6, 2016
I attended one that was supposed to be outdoors but there was a freakishly early sleet storm. They moved it to the church youth hall and completed the ceremony and everyone seemed happy. Your friends and family should be delighted to be there when you get married and probably won't mind too much if it isn't nice weather.
posted by thelonius at 1:07 PM on October 6, 2016
posted by thelonius at 1:07 PM on October 6, 2016
It misted intermittently throughout our entirely-outdoor ceremony & dinner! It totally took us by surprise as a freak weather event - seriously, who expects rain in July in Topanga Canyon during CA's biggest drought ever? I was frustrated, but we stuck it out and stayed outside during the ceremony and dinner, and none of our guests complained (except my mom, obvs). People had to wipe down chairs to sit, but once the dew was cleaned up people did fine. It was awesome!
Pros of clouds:
* Our photos turned out great, because cloudy ambient light is beautiful.
* Like many humans, I can be prone to growing over-warm when I'm excited. Imagine how excited you'll be on your wedding day, surrounded by everyone you love! So warm! Luckily, the cool weather helped me out. Although others wore their jackets during dinner, I ran around like a mad thing in my sleeveless dress and felt super comfortable temperature-wise.
* Lots of grateful comments "I'm so glad we didn't have to melt in the sun like that one wedding I went to!"
* Less risk of fire. Sounds like a joke, but we had a bunch of candles.
My advice:
* My sister had her hair styled in long, beautiful, loose beach waves that melted away completely about 5 minutes after we arrived. What a waste of $50 and getting-ready time. She looked great in pictures but her hair wasn't what she was hoping for. My advice: Consider an updo if you're getting your hair done!
* We were completely caught by surprise by the cool weather, so although the guests brought their own jackets, my bridesmaids didn't have anything that matched their dresses. They toughed it out through the ceremony and then wore their boyfriend/husband's jackets afterward. It sounds like you've got umbrellas covered - maybe grab some wraps if you're doing the matching ladies thing.
posted by samthemander at 1:26 PM on October 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
Pros of clouds:
* Our photos turned out great, because cloudy ambient light is beautiful.
* Like many humans, I can be prone to growing over-warm when I'm excited. Imagine how excited you'll be on your wedding day, surrounded by everyone you love! So warm! Luckily, the cool weather helped me out. Although others wore their jackets during dinner, I ran around like a mad thing in my sleeveless dress and felt super comfortable temperature-wise.
* Lots of grateful comments "I'm so glad we didn't have to melt in the sun like that one wedding I went to!"
* Less risk of fire. Sounds like a joke, but we had a bunch of candles.
My advice:
* My sister had her hair styled in long, beautiful, loose beach waves that melted away completely about 5 minutes after we arrived. What a waste of $50 and getting-ready time. She looked great in pictures but her hair wasn't what she was hoping for. My advice: Consider an updo if you're getting your hair done!
* We were completely caught by surprise by the cool weather, so although the guests brought their own jackets, my bridesmaids didn't have anything that matched their dresses. They toughed it out through the ceremony and then wore their boyfriend/husband's jackets afterward. It sounds like you've got umbrellas covered - maybe grab some wraps if you're doing the matching ladies thing.
posted by samthemander at 1:26 PM on October 6, 2016 [2 favorites]
I planned for an outdoor ceremony and made no backup plan, because I was so confident rain wouldn't be an issue for an afternoon wedding in Colorado in September. It rained hard that day. It had stopped raining by the time the ceremony was to start, but the seats in the outdoor amphitheater were soaked, so we wound up having the ceremony and reception indoors. The reception hall was dark and a lot of our photos came out not great because of it. Anything you can do to improve the lighting inside would be worth it. We did get a few outdoor photos and they have that lovely, fresh just-after-a-rain quality.
Hope the weather cooperates, but if it doesn't, I agree with those who've said to try and focus on the happiness of the occasion and keeping your chin up and then letting your friends and family who love you outrageously compliment you on your ability to roll with it.
posted by danielleh at 2:50 PM on October 6, 2016
Hope the weather cooperates, but if it doesn't, I agree with those who've said to try and focus on the happiness of the occasion and keeping your chin up and then letting your friends and family who love you outrageously compliment you on your ability to roll with it.
posted by danielleh at 2:50 PM on October 6, 2016
Just got married (...last weekend) in a county experiencing severe drought that happened to have buckets of rain on my wedding day. Had planned to do the ceremony outdoors.
Guests understand that you can't control the weather. They'll take their cues from you- if you talk about how distressed you are, they will feel really bummed too. If you shrug your shoulders, they will too. You're there for your partner, right? Your partner is there for you, and your guests are there for both of you, not for a perfect outdoor venue.
I've been describing my wedding as perfect because everyone we love was there and we ate and drank and danced, even if it didn't go according to original plan.
One bit of practical advice: go out and get pictures in the rain, but also figure out where to do family, bridal party portraits if you're doing that.
posted by paradeofblimps at 3:07 PM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
Guests understand that you can't control the weather. They'll take their cues from you- if you talk about how distressed you are, they will feel really bummed too. If you shrug your shoulders, they will too. You're there for your partner, right? Your partner is there for you, and your guests are there for both of you, not for a perfect outdoor venue.
I've been describing my wedding as perfect because everyone we love was there and we ate and drank and danced, even if it didn't go according to original plan.
One bit of practical advice: go out and get pictures in the rain, but also figure out where to do family, bridal party portraits if you're doing that.
posted by paradeofblimps at 3:07 PM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
My husband and I were supposed to get married in a field, in view of mountains, under a beautiful old tree. Instead, it rained, and we got married in a barn (hey, it was a nice-looking barn!). I was disappointed beforehand, but you know what? At the end of the day, we got married surrounded by family and friends, and it was perfect. The skies cleared for a little while after the ceremony, and we got some nice photos in that field, and then the clouds darkened, and the skies sang, and it poured.
More than a few of our loved ones still talk about that day. Invariably, they mention the storms. Not a single person has spoken of the weather with the slightest negativity. It's just "our thing," and we own it. (It probably helps that I enjoy rain, and love thunderstorms, but there's more to it than that.) We call it The Day of Storms (yes, there's a bit of an intentional Zelda echo there, because we're nerds). And you know what? At the end of the day, you'll be married, and you'll own it too, no matter what else happens. Things invariably go "wrong" at weddings, but if you end up married, none of it matters. What really matters is the marriage. Congratulations!
posted by cellar door at 5:29 PM on October 6, 2016
More than a few of our loved ones still talk about that day. Invariably, they mention the storms. Not a single person has spoken of the weather with the slightest negativity. It's just "our thing," and we own it. (It probably helps that I enjoy rain, and love thunderstorms, but there's more to it than that.) We call it The Day of Storms (yes, there's a bit of an intentional Zelda echo there, because we're nerds). And you know what? At the end of the day, you'll be married, and you'll own it too, no matter what else happens. Things invariably go "wrong" at weddings, but if you end up married, none of it matters. What really matters is the marriage. Congratulations!
posted by cellar door at 5:29 PM on October 6, 2016
Count on wedding energy. You'll be surprised on the morning of the event how little the weather will be mattering to you. And as every guest shows up, they're only going to be thinking of how happy they are to be there and how much they love you, and they're going to be bringing that great energy. The whole day is going to feel "up." Regardless of the weather.
That said, it seems smart to make the adjustments needed to make guests comfortable. Googling for "comfy" details - hot chocolate, happy lighting, maybe renting a fake fireplace? - could really help folks go with the flow. But don't worry - it's going to be great. And actually, one thing I've noticed about having to move a group to a more contained [indoor] space is that everyone instantly gets more social and friendly, because they're closer together and that makes it more fun.
posted by Miko at 8:30 PM on October 6, 2016
That said, it seems smart to make the adjustments needed to make guests comfortable. Googling for "comfy" details - hot chocolate, happy lighting, maybe renting a fake fireplace? - could really help folks go with the flow. But don't worry - it's going to be great. And actually, one thing I've noticed about having to move a group to a more contained [indoor] space is that everyone instantly gets more social and friendly, because they're closer together and that makes it more fun.
posted by Miko at 8:30 PM on October 6, 2016
Response by poster: Thanks everyone. I've been gloomily checking and rechecking the weather, and all your responses have helped a lot. We'all definitely add fairy lights and I'll bring my pink rain boots!
posted by inevitability at 8:45 PM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by inevitability at 8:45 PM on October 6, 2016 [1 favorite]
It rained on our wedding day. It stopped about 10 minutes before the day-of coordinator was going to tell the site team to move all the chairs indoors, so we got to have the ceremony outside but took pictures in the rain.
And oneaday was exactly right: I was so happy, I didn't care. I loved the umbrellas. My brother-in-law's big orange umbrella contrasted with the trees in a way that looked great. I loved the mist in the forest. I loved my dress and didn't care that my train got muddy. (It all felt "right" somehow -- vintage lace, mud, flowers, pine needles... they all belong together in a romantic sort of way.)
Logistical thoughts: umbrellas for the wedding party or at least guidance on umbrella colors?, planning for 1-2 someones to carry your train and another someone to hold an umbrella over your just-styled hair as you travel between buildings or to outdoor photos, how do you keep your guests' shoes from getting destroyed if the site is muddy? (you can probably rent some kind of floor mat like they use in restaurants), would you want to keep the ceremony outside and tent that area? ($$$), do you need to tent the caterers' area? (more $$$), we distributed cheap blankets (about 1 for every 3 people) to those who needed them...
Congratulations!
posted by slidell at 10:22 PM on October 6, 2016
And oneaday was exactly right: I was so happy, I didn't care. I loved the umbrellas. My brother-in-law's big orange umbrella contrasted with the trees in a way that looked great. I loved the mist in the forest. I loved my dress and didn't care that my train got muddy. (It all felt "right" somehow -- vintage lace, mud, flowers, pine needles... they all belong together in a romantic sort of way.)
Logistical thoughts: umbrellas for the wedding party or at least guidance on umbrella colors?, planning for 1-2 someones to carry your train and another someone to hold an umbrella over your just-styled hair as you travel between buildings or to outdoor photos, how do you keep your guests' shoes from getting destroyed if the site is muddy? (you can probably rent some kind of floor mat like they use in restaurants), would you want to keep the ceremony outside and tent that area? ($$$), do you need to tent the caterers' area? (more $$$), we distributed cheap blankets (about 1 for every 3 people) to those who needed them...
Congratulations!
posted by slidell at 10:22 PM on October 6, 2016
Love the pink rain boots idea. These pics of brides and bridesmaids in wellies might help get you into the spirit too! I totally endorse what others have said about your mood being contagious. I went to another wedding this summer in a MONSOON (seriously we had to pull the car over on the highway on the way there) and the bride was laughing about it and sarcastically mocking it so much that we all got the giddy, goofy cue from her and ran with it. Unexpected twists like weather can lend a more spontaneous, let-down-your-hair feel to an event in a fun way.
posted by oneaday at 4:13 AM on October 7, 2016
posted by oneaday at 4:13 AM on October 7, 2016
I had a rainy wedding, and we had to move the ceremony from the beach to under a nearby bridge, which was super charming in its own way. Things we did that went well:
- We ordered enough super cheap disposable ponchos for all our guests, and a box of cheap umbrellas, for anyone who came unprepared.
- We got SUPER cute umbrellas, so that taking photos with them felt extra fun instead of like a disappointment.
And really, the best thing about weddings is that eventually it's over and then you get to be married. <3 Congratulations!
posted by 168 at 5:36 AM on October 7, 2016
- We ordered enough super cheap disposable ponchos for all our guests, and a box of cheap umbrellas, for anyone who came unprepared.
- We got SUPER cute umbrellas, so that taking photos with them felt extra fun instead of like a disappointment.
And really, the best thing about weddings is that eventually it's over and then you get to be married. <3 Congratulations!
posted by 168 at 5:36 AM on October 7, 2016
Echoing others: I nervously watched the forecast and I was SO disappointed that rain was expected! It did, indeed, rain on my wedding day, and I could not have cared less. The groomsmen had large golf umbrellas to help guests stay dry. Everyone - EVERYONE - fell all over themselves to help me (the bride!) stay dry, so that was lovely.
And I could not have been happier: I was marrying the most wonderful man in the whole world, with the people I loved best surrounding us, and we had a great dance party!
We are now expecting our first baby and so this is the pregnancy hormones talking, but I am starting to tear up (with happiness!) just thinking about it. You will have a beautiful day.
posted by teragram at 10:02 AM on October 7, 2016
And I could not have been happier: I was marrying the most wonderful man in the whole world, with the people I loved best surrounding us, and we had a great dance party!
We are now expecting our first baby and so this is the pregnancy hormones talking, but I am starting to tear up (with happiness!) just thinking about it. You will have a beautiful day.
posted by teragram at 10:02 AM on October 7, 2016
I went to a great wedding a few years ago that was very rainy. The bride love pink and wore pink wellies for the outside photos. She bought lots of bright pink umbrellas for guest. It was the best wedding I've been to as everyone had lots of fun with the umbrellas and the pictures were amazing.
If you can't change it, embrace it and turn it into a memorable thing.
Good luck!
posted by ozem at 11:12 PM on October 7, 2016
If you can't change it, embrace it and turn it into a memorable thing.
Good luck!
posted by ozem at 11:12 PM on October 7, 2016
Can you:
Plan for a way to tie up your train and test it out
Get each bridesmaid a colourful umbrella (or get light coloured ones and spray paint them) and have a gorgeous umbrella photo spread with the umbrellas all open and leaned back over their shoulders
Get cute colourful galoshes for the bride and bridesmaids, and flip flops for the groom and groomsmen, with pants rolled up
Get matching pashmina scarves for the bride and bridesmaids in case it's chilly
Tell guests to bring flip flops and umbrellas
Buy a stack of cheap towels at Walmart, return if unused, wash and donate to a women's shelter if used
Waterproof mascara and makeup setting spray
If your hair gets frizzy, ask the photog to take photos where the frizz catches the backlight - backlit frizz makes you look like a fiery angel
Talk to your photog about how to get some rain shots like this incredible magic
It poured at my best friend's wedding but it was still a gorgeous day.
Remember the phrase, "a wet knot is harder to untie"
posted by pseudostrabismus at 1:25 PM on October 8, 2016
Plan for a way to tie up your train and test it out
Get each bridesmaid a colourful umbrella (or get light coloured ones and spray paint them) and have a gorgeous umbrella photo spread with the umbrellas all open and leaned back over their shoulders
Get cute colourful galoshes for the bride and bridesmaids, and flip flops for the groom and groomsmen, with pants rolled up
Get matching pashmina scarves for the bride and bridesmaids in case it's chilly
Tell guests to bring flip flops and umbrellas
Buy a stack of cheap towels at Walmart, return if unused, wash and donate to a women's shelter if used
Waterproof mascara and makeup setting spray
If your hair gets frizzy, ask the photog to take photos where the frizz catches the backlight - backlit frizz makes you look like a fiery angel
Talk to your photog about how to get some rain shots like this incredible magic
It poured at my best friend's wedding but it was still a gorgeous day.
Remember the phrase, "a wet knot is harder to untie"
posted by pseudostrabismus at 1:25 PM on October 8, 2016
When I say backlit frizzy hair I mean like this
posted by pseudostrabismus at 1:30 PM on October 8, 2016
posted by pseudostrabismus at 1:30 PM on October 8, 2016
Response by poster: Thanks for your advice everyone. It rained during our first look and photos, but cleared up in time for the ceremony!
posted by inevitability at 5:57 PM on October 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by inevitability at 5:57 PM on October 10, 2016 [5 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Suggestions: umbrellas, cute boots. Leave the dogs at home/with a sitter if you can.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:17 AM on October 6, 2016 [6 favorites]