lookback lesson #14
We have a saying in the mountains. “If you don’t like the weather here, wait a minute.” When it comes to mountain weddings: the weather can change in a blink of an eye. Of course a majority of Hindsight Brides say they wished they hadn’t worried so much about the weather. It’s just not productive to worry about things you cannot possibly change. But you can prepare for them!
Look, it might rain on your wedding day. If you’re getting married in the West at elevations over 7000 feet, it might even snow on your wedding day. I’ve seen it snow on Memorial Day here in Mammoth Lakes for the past two years. I even saw it snow on the Fourth of July once. I think every one of us mountain bride has fretted over the weather. It poured rain all week every week for a month leading up to my wedding. I was sure my wedding day would be no exception.
Like I said, one of the most popular pieces of Hindsight Advice is to stop worrying about the weather. It’s unproductive. Really! But having a solid game plan for bad weather is productive, and it can go far to ease your worry.
Here are some top tips for creating a bad-weather plan:
- For outdoor weddings, arrange for a tent or a place to go indoors in case of bad weather. This holds for both the ceremony and the reception.
- Check with your planner or ask your local vendors about the history of snow during the month of your wedding to get a feel for all of the weather possibilities.
- Have a shoe back-up plan too! Wellies are a popular choice, but you can also go with Uggs or cowboy boots. I went with the first gift Hindsight Groom’s mom received from the step-dad who raised him: a pair of vintage hiking boots 🙂
- Prepare your guests for bad weather. Create guest tip sheet for traveling in inclement weather on your website. Include emergency phone numbers and tow truck services, and encourage your guests to print it out and bring it with them. Better yet, print it on the back of your wedding map. And don’t forget about the possibility of snow!
- For destination brides, include cards or board games or puzzles in welcome bags. You can buy mini games inexpensively or collect them from thrift stores. Also suggest rainy-day activities llike a museum, art gallery, or shopping center.
- Talk to your photographer about a rainy day plan. Don’t just assume she or he will know what to do. Brainstorm not only a backup plan for group shots, but also for creative shots. Some of my favorite wedding day pictures are of a bride and groom skipping through the rain under umbrellas.
- Talk to your makeup artist about water proof makeup.
- Rent some pretty umbrellas for your wedding party that coordinate with your theme or color palette. Also Have them nearby for guest convenience Check out Bella Umbrella. They are like the rent the runway for umbrellas and will ship them anywhere in the US.
- Put a hair dryer in the bathroom near the emergency kits so guests can dry off or fix their hair.
- Collect some of the rainwater from your wedding and use it to baptize your first child. (Idea found on Elizabeth Ann Designs. )
Remember: Many believe that rain on your wedding day is actually good luck. Why? Because a wet knot is harder to untie. Happy marriage!
