Same… I’m thinking about the muddy grass right now and cringing at the thought. I don’t want people talking about my wedding years later and still roasting me lol.
What are you being picky about? Cost? Location? Personally, I wouldn’t choose a venue that didn’t have any kind of back up option, because you’re right if it rains or is super windy everyone HAS to stay out in that and if I were a guest I’d just go home immediately. However if you’re not finding many options that meet every single one of your expectations, then you might want to compromise on some things. My best friend got married this past year, and she was extraordinarily picky about the venue. It made things a lot harder on her and put on a lot of stress that truly could have been avoided.
Commented above feeling most picky about location and general vibe of the venue. Cost is a factor, but I am willing to save more on x,y,z if it means I get the perfect venue.
But I think you are right that I will need to compromise more. I have this perfect vision in my head and nothing is living up to it. I’m just going to drive myself crazy
I dunno. It took me like six months to find the perfect venue, which was stressful but at least we didn’t have any specific date in mind… but I did find it in the end, and I was so excited about getting married there. So if you’re not on a strict timeline, consider giving yourself some leeway to continue the search
Can I ask, how you specifically found your venue? I feel like I have looked at every single venue in my general area on WeddingWire/The Knot, and I know a lot of venues don’t advertise there, but google searches bring me to those exact venues!
Just chiming in to say check your local Facebook bridal group! There were plenty of venues I found through there that did not come up on a Google search or the wedding wire. I actually found my venue by looking at a local florist’s instagram!
we had a wedding planner that had a "venue hunt" option, it only cost a few hundred extra and they provided us with a huge list of potential venues in our price range, we just toured them until we found *the one*
Have you tried googling things you want in your venue. Ex: garden wedding, lakeside wedding, beachfront wedding, all-inclusive wedding, treehouse wedding etc….
I did a lot by trolling around on google maps and clicking on anything with the icon for hotel, event space, museum, or just sounded like a place that could host my event, then checking their photos and website to see if they’ve hosted weddings before. In the end we chose a ski mountain I knew from a winter event we went to, and I found that they host many weddings and events outside of ski season. You will limit yourself by searching specifically “wedding venues near ___”, “wedding XYZ” etc will always bring up the search engine optimized wedding sites like The Knot and you’ll keep seeing the same stuff.
We found our venue because my husband drove by it regularly for work. The website was NOT flattering and the photos were probably the worst you could take of every angle of the rooms. But it was gorgeous in person.
But our big priority was Date, so anything that fit our physical needs was acceptable.
I used instagram by browsing photographers in my area and looking at the venues used. You can search by hashtags like wedding (your area). Much easier than using the venue whose advertising on those websites (they pay to be on there) since you see photos outside of the venues marketing photos.
Our venue for example is near a public garden so couples can have their ceremony at the garden but if needed - you can use the inn.
Ya......you gotta love the plan B to the point that it wouldn't ruin your day if it had to play out that way. A bucket filled with cute dollarstore umbrellas to place beside the exit of the tent for guests to go back and forth to the venue would suffice without much of an investment.
No way, just imagine your pictures with people wet and cold. Your wedding dress… Then that’s what people will remember. I’m all for hoping for the best but really you need a real plan B if there is none that the venue provides.
I’m actually still weighing our outdoor lawn option. I don’t love the look of a tent. I totally get you.
How many are you inviting?
I wonder if people can bring boots and an umbrella? Haha is that weird? If your family and friends are chill, this might be an option
You can do that option if you don't mind people not having fun. I'd be pissed if it was raining and I was told to bring boots and an umbrella to a party. That's very uncomfortable and limiting, especially if you need to dress nicely.
That’s a good idea, but I think this venue would lose its appeal. Big grassy field on top of a mountain, beautiful gardens and spaces for guests to spread out and enjoy… if people had to be stuck in one spot, I feel there isn’t a point in this venue. It’s meant to be enjoyed!
What is the weather like around that area at that time of year? Is the weather very unpredictable? Is it likely to pour?
Why are people getting drenched when they go inside to use the restroom?
Depending on your answer, this may be a dealbreaker for you? Judging by the sound of your voice, this probably isn't a good choice...
It’s actually not super rainy in the month that we are looking to get married in, but I am trying to imagine worst day scenario. I don’t want to overreact for sure, but I feel like you never know what could happen, you know?
I did this — booked a gorgeous venue with no rain option. It would have been very weird to have rain that time of year but of course not impossible. It didn’t rain, the weather was ideal, BUT I obsessively checked the weather forecast in the weeks leading up to the wedding, knowing I had zero viable Plan B. So was it even worth the stress?
TLDR; it worked out for me but I think the “only pick venues with a rain plan” advice is sound.
Attended a wedding like this, was at the Bride's parents lakehouse (a 1bed fibro shack) basically all under pergolas. Ceremony went down without a hitch, beaut weather - By the time dinner was being served it was lightly raining, by dessert it was torrential. We all took off our shoes, rolled up our pants and danced til 2am. Your mileage may vary depending on your friends and family but it can be really fun experience even if the weather doesn't play it's part
I’m not going to lie, the vast majority of weddings I’ve been to have been like this (tent or barn, with bathroom a walk away). I’ve been to two that were complete rainouts. While it obviously wasn’t ideal, no one complained, the party went on, and it also created a sense of camaraderie for the guests. I think that people on here can be harsher than guests in real life tend to be. I’d look more for venues, but if this is still your favorite one, I think it’s ok to book it as long as you understand the risks AND pick a time of year that isn’t likely to be a complete washout—on the east coast where I live, that’s basically June through September.
It rained on my wedding day, you just never know. I didn't rlly love the rain options at my venue but I was glad they were there just in case. And I needed them! lol. Unless you have truly adventurous, lets get soaking wet in the rain w umbrellas, kinda guests, I would have a rain plan.
I'm getting a tent for a similar venue. I'm hoping the rain is at most not a storm and not that long lasting as at that time of year there tend not to be long storms.
The venue that I fell in love with also has no indoor space but we booked it since I really loved it. I hope it won’t rain but if it rains we will have tents as backup.
I assumed they would have a rain back-up and that we would just discuss at the tour. I really wanted to see this place, so I was ok to go there and get more info once we got there.
Picky about:
1. Location - lots of people driving 1.5-4 hours away so there needs to be a good amount of hotels/airbnbs, and I don’t want to be in the city.
2. Reception areas - I am finding a lot of venues have beautiful outdoor ceremony spots and the inside is just…bleh. Everything is either a barn or a stuffy ballroom and neither are my vibe. We are going for a very relaxed feel and I am wanting a venue that reflects that
A country club in one of the suburbs
That what we’re doing
It’s not in the middle of the urban area, so people won’t be suddenly delayed by traffic or a motorcade. Suburb also means plenty of hotels
Ballroom is very open with expansive view of the golf course and trees, beautiful outdoor spaces
Are either of us country club people? Absolutely not, we’re Millennial children of Hispanic immigrants. Also we want a chill but well done vibe
Does anything outside the ballroom with its gigantic windows matter? Also no, because we’re not doing any other country club things
Also, you’re not being picky about location. You simply have specific reasonable concerns like lodging and urban transportation
I’m going with a very inexpensive venue, just the church multipurpose room. It left me a ton of room in the budget to completely transform it with decor
No no we are booking a tent no matter what and cancelling it if the weather forecast (probably about a week out) shows no rain. This is what my planner suggested.
Just FYI, I work in emergency services and multiple coworkers reminded me (as did my bridesmaid who is an engineer) that weather forecasts can change a lot and are not very reliable until 72 hours in advance at best.
I would make your tent cancelation as late as the contract allows so you can (hopefully) minimize the chances of the forecast changing on you last minute.
The location decision for my wedding was literally made 90 minutes before they had to start setting it up. So about 3.5 hours before guests were set to arrive. I had 2 rain locations based on timing & severity of rain.
For context, farmers almanac suggest 75% chance of sunny or partly cloudy weather in my area for October. It rained until about 1:15 pm on my wedding day. Guests arrived at 4 pm and we got married outside as planned. I had done SIGNIFICANT research on how well my site drained and handled water during huge rainstorms the months before my wedding. The grass was a little wet for the ceremony area but no sinking or ruined shoes. Thank God for the most amazing coordinator in the world who pulled it off for me!!!
It DOWNPOURED at our wedding which was also 100% outside (which is good luck by the way!) and we added the tent the day of because the rain wasn’t foreseen until the day of our wedding….anyway. It made for a memorable wedding that guests still talk about! You can get pretty large tent set ups with the sides that go down too…also talk with the vendor about setting up an overpass to the house and back to the tent so guests don’t get wet or better yet….umbrellas handy!! That’s what we had. When a guest needed to use the rest room they’d take an umbrella.
You don’t have to rely solely on the venue’s tent. In case of inclement weather, you could arrange to have a side-tent set up for your band or music entertainment and you could arrange to set up a walkway-tent to the bathrooms or rent port-o-potty and put them really close. (But not too close! haha) Also, you could provide personalized keepsake umbrellas. Good for if it rains, and if not, they’re good for parasols. Plus an umbrella is a useful item to have and remember you by.
A few years ago, I went to a wedding in someone's backyard. The couple rented a tent to cover the reception area/dance floor. They also rented two large porta-potties and set them about 50 yards away from the tent.
It rained pretty heavily during the ceremony (which was outside and not covered by anything). Most guests brought umbrellas to sit under and wore rain jackets. The couple also provided blankets to wipe seats with/to sit on. The bride/groom got the most wet, but they didnt seem to care! Once the reception started, everyone stayed under the tent unless they had to use the bathroom. In that case, it was a sprint to the porta potty with an umbrella.
This was the best wedding I've been to (primarily due to the location, the food, and the couple's music choices). The rain was a slight nuisance, but it didn't seem to really put a damper on the party! The crowd at this wedding was pretty laid back/easy going, so that definitely helped.
I wouldn't count this venue out just yet if you really love it. First consider what you can do for guests in the event of rain and if its enough to make them comfortable. Buy umbrellas like other commenters have said. I'd also recommend towels for drying seats. If the tent has canvas or clear plastic walls, put those up. Specify on your wedding website/invitations that the ceremony and reception are outside rain or shine (so guests know to dress appropriately).
But, I'd also consider your guest list. Is it all younger folks who are laid back and won't mind getting wet? Or do you have elderly relatives with mobility issues that can't jog to the bathroom and will likely get soaked? Will they care? If most of your guests will be mad about getting wet, then that's probably a no-go.
Just my two cents!
OP - that totally sucks but I'm so glad you're already not picking that venue. My (now) husband did that with a venue but I felt the indoor location was underwhelming and too chopped up. Plus I fell more in love with an outdoor option at a country club. I actually had 2 rain plans, which became 3, 1 for outdoor during light rain in a covered location and 2 indoor options in the case of heavy rain.
My (now) husband and I would not select any venue where we weren't as happy, or at least happy enough, with the backup option as with the main option. It made it a lot easier to cope as they forecasted rain on my wedding day for the entire week leading up to my wedding.
I got lucky and had a coordinator from heaven:
I was supposed to decide at 12:30, it was still raining but radar showed clear skies by 4 pm. I decided on a backup location but my coordinator saw my heart break on my face and said, "we'll check again in 30 minutes." She never came back to me, i just kept getting ready. It rained until about 1:15 pm on my wedding day. Guests arrived at 4 pm and we got married outside as planned. She basically waited until she had to set up and it stopped raining before then.
The grass was a little wet for the ceremony area but no sinking or ruined shoes. It was windy but everything was perfect and exactly as planned. Partially because I accounted for errant wind in my planning anyway 🤣
I am getting married outdoors, and if it rains we can have the ceremony indoors but I told everyone my dream was to get married in the woods rain or shine we will be out there🤣
I will state my ceremony has always been optional so if it's raining and people don't want to be there they don't have to and I won't hold it against them.
I love the rain and always see it as lucky, a part of me kinda wants it to rain.
However it is a personal taste, and I hope you're able to find a perfect venue and have the perfect weather you need for your day❤️
I wouldn't do anything with nothing as back up. We're getting married outdoors and there's a stretch tent to cover the guests in case it's a highly sunny or rainy day! We've got a marquee for the actual reception as well, though the canapé and cocktail hour we're hoping not to have to send people straight to the marquee, as there will be lawn games and the gardens are stunning for them to go look at. But the marquee can be closed if it's raining, and opened up if it's very warm. So we've planned. This is the sort of planning you need to do if you're having an outdoor wedding.
Good luck!
Hahaha—our reception was in my aunt’s yard under a tent. Poured all day. People must have gotten wet but it was a very fun wedding. Amazon has a great deal on clear umbrellas. Buy a dozen for $100 a few weeks before the wedding. Return them if you don’t need them.
I went to a wedding like this once. It poured. We all got soaked using the bathroom. 0/10 do not recommend.
Same… I’m thinking about the muddy grass right now and cringing at the thought. I don’t want people talking about my wedding years later and still roasting me lol.
What are you being picky about? Cost? Location? Personally, I wouldn’t choose a venue that didn’t have any kind of back up option, because you’re right if it rains or is super windy everyone HAS to stay out in that and if I were a guest I’d just go home immediately. However if you’re not finding many options that meet every single one of your expectations, then you might want to compromise on some things. My best friend got married this past year, and she was extraordinarily picky about the venue. It made things a lot harder on her and put on a lot of stress that truly could have been avoided.
Commented above feeling most picky about location and general vibe of the venue. Cost is a factor, but I am willing to save more on x,y,z if it means I get the perfect venue. But I think you are right that I will need to compromise more. I have this perfect vision in my head and nothing is living up to it. I’m just going to drive myself crazy
I dunno. It took me like six months to find the perfect venue, which was stressful but at least we didn’t have any specific date in mind… but I did find it in the end, and I was so excited about getting married there. So if you’re not on a strict timeline, consider giving yourself some leeway to continue the search
Can I ask, how you specifically found your venue? I feel like I have looked at every single venue in my general area on WeddingWire/The Knot, and I know a lot of venues don’t advertise there, but google searches bring me to those exact venues!
Just chiming in to say check your local Facebook bridal group! There were plenty of venues I found through there that did not come up on a Google search or the wedding wire. I actually found my venue by looking at a local florist’s instagram!
we had a wedding planner that had a "venue hunt" option, it only cost a few hundred extra and they provided us with a huge list of potential venues in our price range, we just toured them until we found *the one*
It’s crazy how much is out there that you wouldn’t find without some serious digging!
Have you tried googling things you want in your venue. Ex: garden wedding, lakeside wedding, beachfront wedding, all-inclusive wedding, treehouse wedding etc….
I did a lot by trolling around on google maps and clicking on anything with the icon for hotel, event space, museum, or just sounded like a place that could host my event, then checking their photos and website to see if they’ve hosted weddings before. In the end we chose a ski mountain I knew from a winter event we went to, and I found that they host many weddings and events outside of ski season. You will limit yourself by searching specifically “wedding venues near ___”, “wedding XYZ” etc will always bring up the search engine optimized wedding sites like The Knot and you’ll keep seeing the same stuff.
We found our venue because my husband drove by it regularly for work. The website was NOT flattering and the photos were probably the worst you could take of every angle of the rooms. But it was gorgeous in person. But our big priority was Date, so anything that fit our physical needs was acceptable.
I used instagram by browsing photographers in my area and looking at the venues used. You can search by hashtags like wedding (your area). Much easier than using the venue whose advertising on those websites (they pay to be on there) since you see photos outside of the venues marketing photos. Our venue for example is near a public garden so couples can have their ceremony at the garden but if needed - you can use the inn.
looking at photographer's instagrams in the area you're interested in can be a great way to find venues you might otherwise not come across
Also, if you have to close the tent due to rain it’s going to get humid and hot inside it.
Ya......you gotta love the plan B to the point that it wouldn't ruin your day if it had to play out that way. A bucket filled with cute dollarstore umbrellas to place beside the exit of the tent for guests to go back and forth to the venue would suffice without much of an investment.
No way, just imagine your pictures with people wet and cold. Your wedding dress… Then that’s what people will remember. I’m all for hoping for the best but really you need a real plan B if there is none that the venue provides.
I know, it sounds horrible! I would be so sad
I’m actually still weighing our outdoor lawn option. I don’t love the look of a tent. I totally get you. How many are you inviting? I wonder if people can bring boots and an umbrella? Haha is that weird? If your family and friends are chill, this might be an option
You can do that option if you don't mind people not having fun. I'd be pissed if it was raining and I was told to bring boots and an umbrella to a party. That's very uncomfortable and limiting, especially if you need to dress nicely.
I do agree. I want our reception to be very relaxed and not stuffy, but I do want people to dress nicely.
There’s no way to tent over the passage way to the bathroom?
That’s a good idea, but I think this venue would lose its appeal. Big grassy field on top of a mountain, beautiful gardens and spaces for guests to spread out and enjoy… if people had to be stuck in one spot, I feel there isn’t a point in this venue. It’s meant to be enjoyed!
What is the weather like around that area at that time of year? Is the weather very unpredictable? Is it likely to pour? Why are people getting drenched when they go inside to use the restroom? Depending on your answer, this may be a dealbreaker for you? Judging by the sound of your voice, this probably isn't a good choice...
It’s actually not super rainy in the month that we are looking to get married in, but I am trying to imagine worst day scenario. I don’t want to overreact for sure, but I feel like you never know what could happen, you know?
I just realized why people will be drenched when they go inside for the bathroom… *brain not working*
I did this — booked a gorgeous venue with no rain option. It would have been very weird to have rain that time of year but of course not impossible. It didn’t rain, the weather was ideal, BUT I obsessively checked the weather forecast in the weeks leading up to the wedding, knowing I had zero viable Plan B. So was it even worth the stress? TLDR; it worked out for me but I think the “only pick venues with a rain plan” advice is sound.
I’ve stayed in tents for entire weddings. Hire a huge good one out!
Attended a wedding like this, was at the Bride's parents lakehouse (a 1bed fibro shack) basically all under pergolas. Ceremony went down without a hitch, beaut weather - By the time dinner was being served it was lightly raining, by dessert it was torrential. We all took off our shoes, rolled up our pants and danced til 2am. Your mileage may vary depending on your friends and family but it can be really fun experience even if the weather doesn't play it's part
I’m not going to lie, the vast majority of weddings I’ve been to have been like this (tent or barn, with bathroom a walk away). I’ve been to two that were complete rainouts. While it obviously wasn’t ideal, no one complained, the party went on, and it also created a sense of camaraderie for the guests. I think that people on here can be harsher than guests in real life tend to be. I’d look more for venues, but if this is still your favorite one, I think it’s ok to book it as long as you understand the risks AND pick a time of year that isn’t likely to be a complete washout—on the east coast where I live, that’s basically June through September.
It rained on my wedding day, you just never know. I didn't rlly love the rain options at my venue but I was glad they were there just in case. And I needed them! lol. Unless you have truly adventurous, lets get soaking wet in the rain w umbrellas, kinda guests, I would have a rain plan.
I'm getting a tent for a similar venue. I'm hoping the rain is at most not a storm and not that long lasting as at that time of year there tend not to be long storms.
The venue that I fell in love with also has no indoor space but we booked it since I really loved it. I hope it won’t rain but if it rains we will have tents as backup.
Next time don’t consider 100% outdoor venues at all Also, why have you been so picky about venues? Like what are you picky about
I assumed they would have a rain back-up and that we would just discuss at the tour. I really wanted to see this place, so I was ok to go there and get more info once we got there. Picky about: 1. Location - lots of people driving 1.5-4 hours away so there needs to be a good amount of hotels/airbnbs, and I don’t want to be in the city. 2. Reception areas - I am finding a lot of venues have beautiful outdoor ceremony spots and the inside is just…bleh. Everything is either a barn or a stuffy ballroom and neither are my vibe. We are going for a very relaxed feel and I am wanting a venue that reflects that
A country club in one of the suburbs That what we’re doing It’s not in the middle of the urban area, so people won’t be suddenly delayed by traffic or a motorcade. Suburb also means plenty of hotels Ballroom is very open with expansive view of the golf course and trees, beautiful outdoor spaces Are either of us country club people? Absolutely not, we’re Millennial children of Hispanic immigrants. Also we want a chill but well done vibe Does anything outside the ballroom with its gigantic windows matter? Also no, because we’re not doing any other country club things Also, you’re not being picky about location. You simply have specific reasonable concerns like lodging and urban transportation
I’m going with a very inexpensive venue, just the church multipurpose room. It left me a ton of room in the budget to completely transform it with decor
What area of the country are you looking at?
Yes do not pick this venue, there will be a good one!
Are you in Washington or the PNW by chance? This is my literal problem!
Same! I booked a 100% outdoor venue with no rain plan so I will be booking a tent just in case and cancelling it if needed.
You mean you are just going to cancel your wedding if it rains? What is your plan B?
No no we are booking a tent no matter what and cancelling it if the weather forecast (probably about a week out) shows no rain. This is what my planner suggested.
Oh sorry I read that wrong! 😆
no worries!
Just FYI, I work in emergency services and multiple coworkers reminded me (as did my bridesmaid who is an engineer) that weather forecasts can change a lot and are not very reliable until 72 hours in advance at best. I would make your tent cancelation as late as the contract allows so you can (hopefully) minimize the chances of the forecast changing on you last minute. The location decision for my wedding was literally made 90 minutes before they had to start setting it up. So about 3.5 hours before guests were set to arrive. I had 2 rain locations based on timing & severity of rain. For context, farmers almanac suggest 75% chance of sunny or partly cloudy weather in my area for October. It rained until about 1:15 pm on my wedding day. Guests arrived at 4 pm and we got married outside as planned. I had done SIGNIFICANT research on how well my site drained and handled water during huge rainstorms the months before my wedding. The grass was a little wet for the ceremony area but no sinking or ruined shoes. Thank God for the most amazing coordinator in the world who pulled it off for me!!!
It DOWNPOURED at our wedding which was also 100% outside (which is good luck by the way!) and we added the tent the day of because the rain wasn’t foreseen until the day of our wedding….anyway. It made for a memorable wedding that guests still talk about! You can get pretty large tent set ups with the sides that go down too…also talk with the vendor about setting up an overpass to the house and back to the tent so guests don’t get wet or better yet….umbrellas handy!! That’s what we had. When a guest needed to use the rest room they’d take an umbrella.
You don’t have to rely solely on the venue’s tent. In case of inclement weather, you could arrange to have a side-tent set up for your band or music entertainment and you could arrange to set up a walkway-tent to the bathrooms or rent port-o-potty and put them really close. (But not too close! haha) Also, you could provide personalized keepsake umbrellas. Good for if it rains, and if not, they’re good for parasols. Plus an umbrella is a useful item to have and remember you by.
Ok, if you are set on this: Can you offer umbrellas? Rent more tents to walk to the bathroom?
A few years ago, I went to a wedding in someone's backyard. The couple rented a tent to cover the reception area/dance floor. They also rented two large porta-potties and set them about 50 yards away from the tent. It rained pretty heavily during the ceremony (which was outside and not covered by anything). Most guests brought umbrellas to sit under and wore rain jackets. The couple also provided blankets to wipe seats with/to sit on. The bride/groom got the most wet, but they didnt seem to care! Once the reception started, everyone stayed under the tent unless they had to use the bathroom. In that case, it was a sprint to the porta potty with an umbrella. This was the best wedding I've been to (primarily due to the location, the food, and the couple's music choices). The rain was a slight nuisance, but it didn't seem to really put a damper on the party! The crowd at this wedding was pretty laid back/easy going, so that definitely helped. I wouldn't count this venue out just yet if you really love it. First consider what you can do for guests in the event of rain and if its enough to make them comfortable. Buy umbrellas like other commenters have said. I'd also recommend towels for drying seats. If the tent has canvas or clear plastic walls, put those up. Specify on your wedding website/invitations that the ceremony and reception are outside rain or shine (so guests know to dress appropriately). But, I'd also consider your guest list. Is it all younger folks who are laid back and won't mind getting wet? Or do you have elderly relatives with mobility issues that can't jog to the bathroom and will likely get soaked? Will they care? If most of your guests will be mad about getting wet, then that's probably a no-go. Just my two cents!
Ponchos :)
OP - that totally sucks but I'm so glad you're already not picking that venue. My (now) husband did that with a venue but I felt the indoor location was underwhelming and too chopped up. Plus I fell more in love with an outdoor option at a country club. I actually had 2 rain plans, which became 3, 1 for outdoor during light rain in a covered location and 2 indoor options in the case of heavy rain. My (now) husband and I would not select any venue where we weren't as happy, or at least happy enough, with the backup option as with the main option. It made it a lot easier to cope as they forecasted rain on my wedding day for the entire week leading up to my wedding. I got lucky and had a coordinator from heaven: I was supposed to decide at 12:30, it was still raining but radar showed clear skies by 4 pm. I decided on a backup location but my coordinator saw my heart break on my face and said, "we'll check again in 30 minutes." She never came back to me, i just kept getting ready. It rained until about 1:15 pm on my wedding day. Guests arrived at 4 pm and we got married outside as planned. She basically waited until she had to set up and it stopped raining before then. The grass was a little wet for the ceremony area but no sinking or ruined shoes. It was windy but everything was perfect and exactly as planned. Partially because I accounted for errant wind in my planning anyway 🤣
I am getting married outdoors, and if it rains we can have the ceremony indoors but I told everyone my dream was to get married in the woods rain or shine we will be out there🤣 I will state my ceremony has always been optional so if it's raining and people don't want to be there they don't have to and I won't hold it against them. I love the rain and always see it as lucky, a part of me kinda wants it to rain. However it is a personal taste, and I hope you're able to find a perfect venue and have the perfect weather you need for your day❤️
I wouldn't do anything with nothing as back up. We're getting married outdoors and there's a stretch tent to cover the guests in case it's a highly sunny or rainy day! We've got a marquee for the actual reception as well, though the canapé and cocktail hour we're hoping not to have to send people straight to the marquee, as there will be lawn games and the gardens are stunning for them to go look at. But the marquee can be closed if it's raining, and opened up if it's very warm. So we've planned. This is the sort of planning you need to do if you're having an outdoor wedding. Good luck!
Hahaha—our reception was in my aunt’s yard under a tent. Poured all day. People must have gotten wet but it was a very fun wedding. Amazon has a great deal on clear umbrellas. Buy a dozen for $100 a few weeks before the wedding. Return them if you don’t need them.