Envisioning your big day doesn't typically include an overcast, rainy day, but unfortunately, that may be a reality — regardless of whether you're planning your celebration indoors or outdoors.
By: Meghan Ely
Photo: Lucy Struve Photography
An outdoor soiree will require some additional consideration (and likely a Plan B), so it's crucial to enlist the help of your vendors, even if cloudy skies aren't necessarily on the radar . Let's dive into some expertise for making the most of a "bad" forecast on your wedding day.
Put as much thought into your Plan B as into your Plan A
"From day one, we don't plan one wedding — we plan two equally stunning celebrations. Plan A and Plan B are developed simultaneously with identical attention to detail, vendor coordination, and timeline planning. When rain appears in the forecast, there's no scrambling or stress because we're simply activating a fully realized celebration that's been months in the making. Your rainy day wedding isn't a backup plan — it's a completely designed experience that happens to be indoors. This approach means when I text you saying 'We're moving to our gorgeous Plan B,' you feel excited rather than disappointed, knowing your covered celebration will be just as magical as your outdoor dream." —Tamara Czartoryski, L’Agence Eventive
"One tried and true strategy we rely on is building dual timelines and floor plans. Timeline and floor plans go hand in hand, so we create a Plan A (outdoor) and Plan B (rain) that mirror each other as closely as possible. That way, vendors and staff know exactly how to adjust without guesswork. Having both versions finalized means that if we need to pivot, it's a smooth transition rather than a scramble." —Samiya Brasfield, SB Events Co.
"I always build in buffer time and prep my couples with waterproof gear and dry clothes. Have a plan that flexes with the weather, not fights it. Even simple changes like shifting portraits earlier, or bringing in clear umbrellas and an extra tent sidewall, can make rain feel intentional rather than reactive." —Natasha Cardinal, The Cardinals Elopements
"When planning an outdoor wedding, we always recommend that our clients come up with an inclement weather plan early in the planning process. This will help set expectations for the couple to ensure there are no surprises and/or meltdowns on the day or week of the wedding. That said, tropical destinations tend to have rain showers in the forecast often, especially during rainy season. We recommend couples not look at the weather forecast earlier than 4-5 days prior to the big day, because so much can change day to day. However, if the wedding is during hurricane season and there's advanced warning of a storm coming, we contact the couple as early as we can to help prepare and come up with a contingency plan." —Jen Avey, DestinationWeddings.com
Invest in rain gear
"Having umbrellas on hand is such a simple but smart idea. You can usually grab them really cheap online or even pick them up at a convenience store last minute. Having those available for guests means you can often still hold the ceremony outside since it's usually much shorter than the reception without everyone getting soaked. I also always make sure our team has plenty of extra towels on hand so we can quickly wipe down chairs or decor before the ceremony begins. It's a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in keeping guests comfortable and preventing them from sitting on wet chairs." —Emily Reno, Elopement Las Vegas
"From a photography perspective, I always prepare for rain. I carry a small umbrella attachment that clips directly to my camera, which keeps my gear dry and lets me keep shooting without missing a beat." Craig Peterman, Craig Peterman Photography & Videography
"We are constantly trying to consider our guests in weather situations. Do we have enough umbrellas to keep everyone dry from the valet to the building? Do we need to run to Target to grab towels to dry off seats after a rain shower? Did the storm bring in hot and muggy weather, and we need to add on HVAC or handheld fans to keep our guests cool? One of my best tips in the hotter months is to ask the caterer to provide cold towels from the ceremony to the cocktail hour. That little refresh goes a long way and makes guests feel much more comfortable going into dinner!" —Meaghan Cody, Sweet Pea Events
Remember it's out of your control — so don't let it dampen the mood
"If you get stuck in the worst of it on your wedding day, we help make the most of it. Plus, we give plenty of encouragement. We'll be standing by with cheery smiles, silly jokes, playful posing ideas, and lots of hoots and hollers as we cheer our couples and their wedding party on during their rainy-day photo session or ceremony. It doesn't stop the rain from falling, but with enough encouragement, we'll get through the event, and our couples end up really loving their photos." —McKenzi Taylor, Electric Sugar Elopements
Don't obsess over the forecast
"As a part of the photo and video team, I don't even consider the weather until we are two days out. Before then, the weather is a suggestion and something we don't need to cause alarm, until we get even closer to the event date. At the two-day mark, I will touch base with the planner to discuss the rain plan, ensuring we are fully prepared to speak with the couple. The day before the event (or sometimes two days before), I will connect with the couple and present them with options from an already prepared plan. As a rule, I like to approach couples with any concerns or issues already having a solution in mind, so that they can easily make a decision based on my expertise. I never want to bring a problem to a couple that I couldn't help solve." —Mary Angelini, Key Moment Films
Communicate clearly with your vendor team
"A tried-and-true group text with all the vendors works best when communicating with the vendor team. It's helpful to have all the vendors connected in real-time, unlike email, which can be used for short and quick messages to the vendor team to make updates related to the weather." —Mary Angelini, Key Moment Films
Believe it or not, rain isn’t the worst thing that can happen on your wedding day, and it certainly won’t dampen the mood on such a big milestone. With the right measures in place and transparency between you and your vendor team, you’ll survive any weather thrown your way.
Meghan Ely is the founder of OFD Consulting, a public relations agency specializing in publicity, speaking engagements, and thought leadership for wedding and event professionals. She also leads the OFD Collective, a PR membership community for industry pros.
