How to create a back-up plan for an outdoor wedding

A wedding day is a magical and memorable day, for a couple and their family members. Months or even years, of planning, may go into making a wedding day special.

For some, an outdoor wedding and celebration amid the beauty of nature, is the ultimate setting in which to tie the knot. When Mother Nature is your decorator, the setting can be hard to match.

Perhaps that’s why 62 percent of couples opted for outdoor nuptials in 2023, according to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Survey. However, there may be some extra work involved, when exchanging vows outdoors, hosting a reception outside or both.

That work includes having a contingency plan in place, if the weather does not cooperate. Here’s what couples should know about having a backup plan for their outdoor weddings.

• Identify a second location. Couples who book outdoor receptions at catering halls, can inquire how they handle inclement weather. Many will have a clause built into the agreement to move the party indoors, in the event of bad weather. Others may enable the wedding to move to a different space for an added fee. Smaller, less formal weddings taking place at other locations, may require a bit of ingenuity, when looking for a back-up space. Perhaps a friend has a large house, where everyone can gather or an employer may have a warehouse, loft or even a barn, that can be transformed into unique venues at the last minute.

• Choose outdoor spaces with covered areas. The wish might be to have blue skies overhead, but it’s impossible to control the weather. So, it’s safe to select outdoor spaces that offer a measure of weather protection, such as a pavillion in a park or a covered deck at a beachside locale. Such sites offer a little security, without detracting from the ambiance.

• Look into a tent rental. A tent is a great investment, because it keeps everyone out of the elements, rain or shine. Even on a lovely summer day, the blazing sun can make being outdoors uncomfortable. A tent is the solution. Couples should coordinate with a wedding planner or the venue itself, to be sure that a tent is allowed on the grounds.

• Think about event insurance. Special event insurance may protect against financial loss, in the event that severe weather throws a wrench into outdoor wedding plans. Poor weather may make moving around the venue treacherous and might force a postponement. Liability and cancellation protection in an insurance policy, helps couples avoid financial hardship.

• Hire a wedding planner. The Knot suggests hiring a wedding planner or coordinator, who can pivot to Plan B, in the event of bad weather. This helps take some of the stress off the couple, so they can enjoy the day.

• Plan wardrobe and hair/makeup accordingly. Brides and bridesmaids can choose fabrics for dresses that will be comfortable, and not become blown around or see-through, because of rain and wind. The wedding party can ask hair stylists to create a wedding hairstyle that is somewhat weatherproof. Experienced makeup artists likely know some tricks to keep makeup looking flawless, even when the weather isn’t.

Outdoor weddings can be beautiful events, but it is important to have a backup plan in place, in case weather doesn’t cooperate.