Outdoor Wedding? How to Plan Ahead for Unpredictable Weather

Your wedding has been planned months ahead of time, but what about a surprise change in the weather?  There’s always an option for everyone to BYOU (bring-your-own-umbrella), but what about the musicians?  Most musicians state in their contract they will not play in the rain because it may damage their instruments or equipment. 

So, what’s a person to do?  The best solution is to have a good back up plan in place for all kinds of weather.  Here’s what to consider:

1. Find a sheltered area within your site large enough for the musicians.  If there’s not a protected area, ask your wedding coordinator to bring a portable canopy.
2. Before you lock in the time of day for the ceremony, check out the site conditions.  Is it usually foggy in the morning?  Are there strong winds in the afternoon?  Also know the sun and shade patterns throughout the day.  You don’t want to be blasted with heat at high noon or blinded by the setting sun.
3. If the reception is indoors, reserve the room for a couple hours earlier.  You can easily relocate your ceremony there if a storm stirs up.  Or rent a large canopy or several smaller tents in lieu of an alternative indoor site.

That’s it!  It’s as simple as 1-2-3.  Congratulations and enjoy the wedding no matter what the weather brings!
 
“Outdoor Wedding?  How to Plan Ahead for Unpredictable Weather” author:  Suzy, violinist and founder of Vogue Violin. www.vogueviolin.com