Outdoor weddings can create truly magical experiences, from fairytale forests to Bridgerton-style countryside escapes, being surrounded by the natural world, the sound of birdsong and a gentle breeze is a perfect day for some. We wish that were always the case, but no matter how meticulously you plan your wedding, the one thing that will always be beyond your control is the notoriously unpredictable Great British weather.
Whether you believe that it’s good luck or not, rain on your wedding day can make things a little tricker than blue skies. But that shouldn’t mean your day should be less enjoyable or memorable. You just need to have a plan in place for how you’re going to deal with the drizzle.
Fulton Umbrellas have come up with a handy guide on how you can weatherproof your wedding.
1. Footwear. No one wants to spend their special day with soggy shoes and socks, so it’s best to choose footwear that’s going to see you through the weather. For outdoor weddings, in general, stiletto heels should be avoided, but especially in wet weather, as you may find yourself sinking into the ground. Waterproof sprays might help in keeping the rain off your feet. Or you could just lean into it with some cute matching wedding wellies for the happy couple. The wedding party may also want to consider bringing spare shoes and socks that can be swapped out for the photographs or if your wedding moves indoors.
2. Umbrellas. For rainy weddings, umbrellas are going to be your new best friend. Make sure to provide some umbrellas for the wedding party, whether that's personalised umbrellas for guests or protective windproof umbrellas for when the weather is on the wild side. Another great tip is for the newlyweds to carry see-through umbrellas so they aren't obscured in photos. When there are larger numbers of guests, a more budget-friendly answer is to send out reminders to them via social media or text that rain is forecast, so they should bring an umbrella with them. You could even ask guests to bring umbrellas that match your wedding colours or theme so that everyone is coordinated regardless of the weather!
3. Towels. Towels can be the unsung hero of any rainy wedding day. You can keep some on hand for the wedding party and guests to dry off once indoors or after the rain has stopped. They're also useful for wiping down outdoor chairs or other seating after the rain so your guests can relax and sit outside.
4. Make sure there's cover. Next on the list is making sure you've got covers and shelters in place for any potential rainfall. If you've opted for a more laid-back wedding with outdoor food trucks serving guests, it's best to rent a marquee, tent, or canopy for everyone to stand under in the event of rain. These can be styled to match the other elements of your wedding with decorations like flowers and fairy lights, so you don't need to worry about it looking plain or not fitting in. These types of shelters can be good for drizzle, but just in case there's a downpour or the wind is so strong that the rain is going sideways, the best thing to do is to check out your venue's indoor space and make sure everything can be quickly moved inside if necessary.
5. Stay in contact with your vendors. There's a chance that rain might disrupt your schedule, and as such, some flexibility may be required in the timings of the big day. In this case, you, your planner or perhaps even a close family member need to keep everyone informed of any changes in location or set-up. This can include musicians, caterers, the venue itself, florists, your photographer, videographer and so on. That way, everyone will know the contingency plan and be in the right place in rainy weather.
6. Hair and make-up If a rainy wedding day is on the horizon, another good tip is to pick make-up and hairstyles that are going to have true staying power on the day. For hair, consider a classy up-do rather than loose, voluminous waves that may frizz up or flatten out at the first drops of rain.
7. Check the weather. You're probably already doing this every 5 minutes and dreading the first signs of clouds or showers. But, if it is going to rain, having an idea of when to expect it can help you start to plan around it. For example, when to nip outside to take your photographs in between showers or whether your guests can still dine al fresco. It's also worth remembering that the weather is difficult to forecast, especially weeks in advance, and will probably change as the day approaches – so try not to stress yourself out too much over it.
8. Embrace it! It may not have been what you were dreaming of, but the rain is here, and you should try to embrace it rather than let it cause stress or panic. Comments like 'shame about the rain' may come from a well-meaning place, but you should take them with a pinch of salt. After all, your wedding is a celebration of love, and no amount of rain can change that. Instead, just think about romantic photographs of you and your loved one nestled under an umbrella, being big kids and splashing in puddles, or dramatic shots of the moody weather. Have a chat with your photographer about it. They're probably brimming with ideas for taking amazing photos in the rain.
Regardless of what mother nature has planned for the day, the Great British weather shouldn't stop you from making amazing memories and turning this rainy wedding day into one you won't for
