As wedding celebrants, we’ve seen it all—sun-kissed afternoons that feel like something straight out of a film and wind that could sweep the bride right off her feet (literally). So, let's talk about the great equaliser of outdoor weddings: the weather. That’s right, the unpredictable force of nature that loves to RSVP at the last minute and show up completely uninvited. And if you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, there’s a good chance it’ll make an appearance. But don’t worry! Together, we’ll survive it, probably laugh about it, and definitely get you married… one way or another!
We’ve planned our wedding for the height of summer – it’ll definitely be dry!
Hmm, but let’s remember we are probably talking about the great British summer here aren’t we...trust us, the weather loves a good outdoor wedding. It expects a formal invitation and is likely to send a thundercloud to join in! But don’t worry, we’ll be there with a waterproof jacket and a pretty umbrella – as well as our best ‘we’re in it together’ grin.
Ready Steady Wed Tip: Bring along a load of cute umbrellas and pretend you’re in a whimsical rom-com where everyone dances in the rain. Also, don’t forget, rain on your wedding day is said to be good luck – a wet knot is much harder to untie than a dry one, and rain makes for super cool wedding photos too. And if you really don’t want to rain to make an appearance then simply bury a sausage at your venue the night before – that’s not a euphemism – if you don’t know what we mean then google it! Actually, maybe not! ( Giggle!)
Photograph courtesy of Click & Rec
Wind: The Ultimate Party Crasher
Wind might be the trickiest of all the weather guests. It can start off all innocent— a gentle breeze, ruffling your hair to say, “I’m here for the vibe.” But give it 10 minutes, and that “gentle breeze” will turn into a gust that will attempt to steal your veil, turn your vows into a wind-whipped interpretive dance, and send Aunt Margaret’s hat flying into the nearest tree. Honestly, wind’s got some nerve. But here’s the thing: with enough hairspray and a celebrant who can project louder than the groomsmen’s laughter, we’ll get through it. Just remember: a windswept look is totally in right now.
We’ve been involved in sunrise ceremonies on top of a Tor in September, a wedding on a wild camp site where the beautiful homemade alter couldn’t withstand the wind and a ceremony where the hire company refused to erect the ordered tipi due to a hurricane warning (in August, in Rotherham!) so a hasty swap to a marquee was made instead at the last minute. And I am telling you now, the wind isn’t what anyone remembers about those ceremonies.
Hail: For the Couple That Really Wants to Make a Statement
Now, hail is rare but it certainly is memorable. If you want your guests to remember your wedding for years to come, a surprise hailstorm will do the trick. Think of it as Mother Nature’s confetti. And yes, it stings a bit, but think of the wedding photos! And the dramatic sprint to cover! You’ll laugh about this for decades, honestly. In the highly unlikely event of a hailstorm, we’ll adapt, we’ll improvise, and we’ll still say those vows—even if we have to shout them over the sound of ice pelting the marquee.
Heatwave? Bring It On!
Nothing says "I do" like the groom sweating through his tux, am I right? Just kidding, but honestly, if your wedding day turns into a scorcher, we’ll get through it with plenty of humour and hydration. Gayle spent years working as a celebrant in Spain – she knows how to make it work! And we’ve both led ceremonies where we could see guests’ makeup melting in real-time. And there are plenty of suitable, heartfelt lines to suit about “the heat of love” or “keeping your cool”—whatever it takes to keep everyone smiling through the sweat.
Ready Steady Wed Tip: Embrace the glow!
The Solution to Fool-proofing an Outdoor Ceremony? Go with the Flow…
To be blunt, even with the best-laid plans, weather can—and often will—throw a spanner in the works. But guess what? It’s all part of the adventure. Years from now, you might forget what colour the table linens were or which uncle tripped during the reception. But you’ll always remember the wild, wonderful way you got married—rain, wind, hail, or shine.
So, whether it’s a little drizzle or full-on apocalyptic weather, we’ve got you covered—quite literally, we might be holding the umbrella over you while you exchange rings, or keeping hold of the pergola. And in the end, no matter what, you’ll still be married to the love of your life. And that’s the real magic.
Just don’t forget to send the weather a thank-you note for keeping things interesting.
Now, who’s ready to roll with whatever Mother Nature’s got in store?
Rebecca x
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