How to Handle Weather Changes on Your Wedding Day!
OUR JOB, AS PLANNER AND COUPLE, IS TO BE PREPARED WHEN MOTHER NATURE STRIKES. HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO HELP YOU LEARN HOW TO HANDLE WEATHER CHANGES ON YOUR WEDDING DAY.
A sudden cold snap. A strong wind advisory. A swarm of mosquitos. The downpour. All of these are things that you pray don’t happen on or during your wedding day. However, things happen. They just do. As much as we want to think we can control every single detail, Mother Nature will do her thing. Our job, as planner and couple, is to be prepared when Mother Nature strikes. Here are a few tips to help you learn how to handle weather changes on your wedding day.
Photo: Lindsay Campbell
Always Have a Plan B
First and foremost, if you are having an outdoor wedding, have a Plan B that includes an alternate location indoors, or at least somewhere with cover.
You will also want to coordinate with your photographer and arrange back-up locations if any of your pics are planned to be captured outdoors. Think of your wedding venue, reception venue, someone’s home or another special place where photos can be captured, if needed. Also, if you and your photographer are flexible with timing, you could possibly make outdoor pics work. If it’s supposed to rain at 5 p.m., and that’s when you are supposed to take photos, maybe you could push up your photo session to 3 p.m. if the weather looks better.
Photo: Alexis Dimmer
The Extras
Whether you are having an indoor or outdoor wedding, you need to think about your guests’ experience. Even indoor weddings typically have some outdoor component – pictures, the walk from the car to the venue, the reception, the send-off, or other special activities.
If it’s raining, have umbrellas available. If it’s cold, have heaters. If the roads are icy, have reliable transportation available for guests. If mosquitos are out in force, have cute little baskets of bug spray available. If it’s a heat wave, don’t be stingy with the water.
Having these “extras” available can actually enhance the wedding and make your guests feel extra special as you showing them that you truly appreciate them and are going the extra mile for their comfort.
Photo: Abigail Lewis
Communicate the Plan
If you do have to make alternate plans for your wedding, you have to communicate these new plans effectively with all your guests. This can easily be done on your wedding website. You will want to include the weather forecast, how to dress, and what to bring for their maximum comfort.
Also, remember when we talked about having a “Plan B?” This goes for your vendors as well. Communicate with your vendors to ensure they understand your expectations for the day and how plans may be changed.
With forethought, flexibility, and effective communication, you can still have the wedding of your dreams, even if the weather is not ideal. Your wedding planner can be a great resource to helping you figure out what an alternate plan looks like for your big day.
Get in the Mood! Set the Scene for a Moody, Romantic Wedding
PURPLE, BLACK, GOLD, OLIVE, AND BURGUNDY! Perfect for romantic, moody, and dramatic weddings.
Purple, black, gold, olive, and burgundy…all colors that make you think of weddings, right? Well, probably not, but they should! These rich, dramatic colors can make a major statement and create the perfect moody, romantic fall or winter wedding.
Don’t let the word “moody” throw you off. It’s not just about goth or Halloween. Moody is simply an adjective describing the dark, mysterious and romantic aspects of fall. So, get in the mood to throw a phenomenal wedding that will leave people in awe.
Photo: Alexis Dimmer
The Attire
For the more daring brides, you can wear a gorgeous alternative dress that matches your theme. A black lace gown, bridal separate with a white lace top and black skirt, or even a gown made of gold sequins can make a beautiful statement. However, if you are little more conservative but still want the moody feel, a white wedding dress with dark accessories and florals can achieve the same intense effect. Once you’ve chosen your gown and look, dress your partner in a black suit and your bridesmaids in dark-colored dresses.
Photo: Boxcar Photography
The Makeup
A bold lip is a great way to channel your inner diva and “wow” your guests. A deep red or purple lip color will spice up your look. If you aren’t feeling the bold lip, try a dramatic eye with bold eyeliner and a dark eye shadow.
The Bouquet
A bold bouquet filled with dark flowers, deep red roses, succulents, and feathers can be a powerfully vivid accent. Leaves, berries and greenery are also great filler that helps create the moody, romantic wedding vibe.
Photo: Ok Crowe
The Décor
Continue with the dark flowers and rich color palette through your décor. Incorporate some of the flowers, greenery, berries and/or feathers used in your bouquet into your table centerpieces. Try navy blue or black candles. If you really want a theatrical effect, throw in some dark burgundy drapes. However, remember the key to bringing in the dark tones is balance. Offset dark linens with metallic charger plates. Lighten up the room with lots of flickering candles and romantic light displays.
Most importantly, remember your wedding day is about you and all the things you love. If rich, deep tones are your thing, don’t be afraid to shake things up by creating a stunning moody, romantic wedding vibe. You and your wedding planner can create an environment that you and your guests will love!
Photo: Rafferty Photo
Need Help Creating a Romantic, Moody Look for Your Wedding?
Contact Maggie Walker Weddings+ Events! We help brides in the Chattanooga area set the scene for the wedding day of their dreams.
Things to Consider When Planning Your Barn Wedding
GORGEOUS SCENERY, COZY ATMOSPHERE, MOTHER NATURE AT HER BEST. OR, BUGS, EXTREME TEMPS, AND MOTHER NATURE AT HER WORST. TO ENSURE YOU HAVE THE BLISSFUL WEDDING OF YOUR DREAMS, THESE ARE SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YOUR BARN WEDDING.
Rustic weddings…ah, they are beautiful.
Gorgeous scenery, cozy atmosphere, Mother Nature at her best. Or, bugs, extreme temps, and Mother Nature at her worst. To ensure you have the blissful wedding of your dreams, these are some things to consider when planning your barn wedding.
Practicality Pays
While barns can provide for an amazing wedding atmosphere, planning can be a little tricky. They typically don’t offer the common luxuries, like bathrooms, that traditional event facilities offer. When you’re saving all the barn wedding Pinterest boards, consider:
Does the venue have bathrooms? If not, you will need to make accommodations. There are lots of portable restroom options that can fit within your wedding style. (Tip: You can even add a special touch, like including a cute basket of monogrammed hand towels by the sink.)
What’s the electrical outlet situation? Will you need to bring in power, or are there enough options for all your electricity needs? (Caterer, band, DJ, etc.)
Is there enough lighting? Is there enough – or any – lighting in the barn? You may have to supplement or completely bring in lighting for your wedding.
How loud and long can we party? Even if the barn is remote, you will need to check the local sound ordinances to ensure you aren’t breaking any city or state ordinances. The last thing you want is to have to deal with the police on your wedding day.
Where will guests park? You will want to have a designated and easy-to-find parking area for guests. When determining the parking area, keep the proximity to the actual barn in mind. You don’t want your guests to have to walk too far before entering.
How’s the terrain? Is the ground muddy, hilly, hard to walk on? Keep this in mind as you determine the layout of your wedding celebration. Depending on the terrain, you may want to encourage your guests to wear flats, so heels won’t get stuck in the ground. (Tip: You could even provide flip flops for your female guests. They will appreciate you helping them not ruin their heels, and the flip flops are easier to dance in at the reception!)
Check the weather. Always have a plan B in case of inclement weather. Can your entire celebration take place inside the barn if it’s raining outside? Do you have enough fans/air conditioning or heaters if it’s extra hot or cold? Weather can turn on a dime, so be prepared to take extra steps to make your guests comfortable. (Tip: Have cute baskets of umbrellas stationed around the venue, if rain is on the radar. Have parasols and paper fans placed in baskets if it’s warm and sunny.)
BONUS TIP: A couple of our favorite barn locations: Howe Farms and Grey Dove
Sensational Styling
To create the perfect rustic barn wedding, there are lots of ways to customize and style your wedding to create those perfect little extras.
Candles – Candles may be the single best décor item. They are inexpensive and make for a cozy or elegant atmosphere. Pillars and/or votives all around the barn can truly make for an intimate setting.
Signs – Chalk anyone? Barn weddings make great venues for creative signage. Chalkboard signs and painted wooden signs are great ways to direct guests to various activities and venues.
Greenery – Embrace even more natural elements by incorporating greenery. Using various forms of greenery in bouquets, centerpieces, buffet table décor’ and pots/planters around the room brings in a simply elegant vibe. As a plus, greenery is often more budget-friendly than flowers, too.
Embrace the Fall – If your wedding is taking place during the fall, embrace seasonal elements. Use pumpkins and gourds for décor. Decorate using the rich fall colors of deep reds, oranges and browns. You can also incorporate scarves or woolen throws into your décor.