Everybody says your wedding day is the best day of your life… and it makes sense why! You get to marry your best friend, everyone you love is in the same room, you eat delicious food and make memories to last a lifetime.

However, even with plenty of planning, Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate and rain on your big day can really dampen your spirits. So much time and effort goes into the planning and design of your wedding and it’s completely valid to feel disappointed if rain is forecast for your day. But fear not! With some careful planning and a positive attitude, you can turn a rainy wedding day into a unique and unforgettable experience. In this blog post, we'll explore practical tips and suggestions to help you save your wedding from rain and make the most of the situation.

Marquees: Be Prepared and Stay Dry

One of the best precautions you can take is to stay informed about the weather forecast. Though it’s not always accurate or reliable, it’s usually better to be safe than sorry - especially if your wedding is outdoors. Check the forecast about a week in advance, and if it's looking wet, have a marquee on standby. A marquee provides a covered area where you and your guests can seek shelter while still enjoying the festivities.

A marquee doesn’t have to dampen your style, either. Many marquee hire businesses now offer clear roof and clear wall tents that allow your guests to enjoy the views around them while remaining warm and dry inside. Adding fairy lights, string bulb lights or hanging floral installations can also spruce up a marquee to take it from purely practical to effortlessly chic. Hiring a marquee is worth every penny if it can provide you with peace of mind and assurances that your celebrations can continue regardless of the rain.

Umbrellas: Practical and Stylish

Clear umbrellas are a must-have accessory for a rainy wedding day. Not only do they keep you dry, but they can also add a touch of elegance to your photos. Your photographer will no doubt have worked with umbrellas and rain before and will have plenty of creative ideas to get beautiful pictures while keeping you dry. You can provide umbrellas for your guests as well, ensuring that everyone stays comfortable and protected from the rain. Or, send out a group message in the days before advising your guests to pack an umbrella and to dress accordingly. Coordinating the umbrellas with your wedding theme can even turn them into a stylish prop, adding a unique flair to your pictures.

Beauty Essentials: Hair and Makeup Touch-Ups

Rain can dampen your hair and makeup, but with a little preparation, you can stay fresh and radiant throughout the day. If you’re anticipating rain, pack a hair dryer and a curling iron and all necessary makeup touch-up tools to fix any unexpected mishaps. You will have a number of opportunities throughout your wedding day to take a break and touch up your hair and makeup. Your bridesmaids can help you to coordinate this and it may even be wise to add extra time in between your ceremony and reception to ensure you’re not rushed and have time to feel your best again. By having these essentials on hand, you ensure that your hair and makeup are flawless throughout the day and before entering the reception.

Reception Dress: Embrace Versatility

Consider having a reception dress to change into after getting wet. If your budget is tight, you could consider hiring a dress or purchasing a formal/party dress that isn’t advertised as being ‘bridal’. A reception dress offers multiple benefits: it allows you to move more freely, reduces the risk of ruining your bridal gown, and sets a more relaxed and casual vibe for the rest of the day. Not to mention the fact that it will be nice and dry! Get creative with the dress you choose and even opt for some different heels or a pair of sneakers to party the night away. Choose a dress that complements your style and ensures you feel comfortable while dancing and mingling with your loved ones.

Trust Your Vendors: Professional Adaptation

Your wedding vendors, including your photographer, planner, and caterers, are experienced professionals who have definitely encountered rainy wedding days before. Trust in their expertise and ability to adapt to changing circumstances. You’ve hired them for a reason - they’re here to help you! They will want to help make sure your wedding day is the absolute best day it can be. Your photographer will make the most of the breaks in the rain, finding covered areas and making sure that the essential moments are captured beautifully.

They will also be keeping an eye on the weather in the days leading up to your wedding and get in touch with you about potential undercover photo locations. On the day, they’ll also be on the look out for moments of clear skies and help you use the optimal times for outdoor shots. So don’t be devastated if it looks like it’s going to rain - your vendors know exactly how to tackle it and will work with you to make your dream wedding come true… even if you do have to adjust a few things here and there.

Attitude Is Everything: Embrace the Rain

After you've taken the more "formal" photos, embrace the rain and have fun with it! Remember that your wedding day is about celebrating your love and creating lifelong memories. EMBRACE the rain and allow yourself to be fully present in the moment. The candid shots captured during the rain often turn out to be some of our clients’ favourite and most cherished images from the day! Your wedding day truly does fly by, so don’t waste a moment dreaming about what could have been or thinking that all your plans are ruined. Lean on your family and friends, your new husband or wife and focus on the amazing reality that it’s your wedding day and you are surrounded by everybody you love! Let go of any worries and embrace the unexpected, and you'll experience a newfound sense of freedom and joy that will make your wedding day truly unforgettable.

While rain on your wedding day may not be what you initially envisioned, it doesn't have to dampen your spirits or the magic of the occasion. By preparing for the rain, trusting your vendors, and maintaining a positive attitude, you can turn a potentially challenging situation into an opportunity for creativity, spontaneity, and unforgettable memories. Remember, it's not the weather that defines your wedding day; it's the love, laughter, and happiness shared. And if you’ve read to the end of this blog post and still feel disheartened, keep this old saying at the front of your mind: a wet knot is harder to untie.

How to Save Your Wedding from Rain: Embrace the Unexpected