Planning For Autumn Weather
Monday, October 11th, 2010
Posted in Planning Advice
Autumn is a great time to get married – an explosion of vibrant colours, coupled with harvest festivals and Halloween are all great inspiration for styling a wedding. It’s also outside of peak wedding season, so you may well save a fair bit of money on venue hire.
However, autumn is also one of the most unpredictable times in terms of weather. Now I know in this country you can’t really guarantee the weather at any time of year, but autumn is perhaps more mixed than most – one day you’re enjoying warm rays of sunshine, and the next you’re digging out the winter woollies and waterproof boots.
So what do you do to make sure that our fickle climate doesn’t spoil your special day?
1. There’s a pretty high chance of rain at this time of year, so make sure you have plenty of umbrellas on hand just in case. Ask your ushers to greet guests with them at the car park so they don’t get wet walking to your venue, and make sure you have a large umbrella to protect you when walking to/from your ceremony.
2. Even if it isn’t wet on the day, it could well have been raining in the days leading up to your wedding, so expect the ground to be damp and dirty. Fields and lawns could be muddy and soggy, so if you’re intending to have some photos taken on grass have a pair of trainers or wellies on hand to slip on to avoid ruining your Jimmy Choos – opt for speical ‘Wedding Wellies’, like those from Weddington Boots , or go for something more funky and colourful.
3. Even if it isn’t raining, your guests won’t want to stand around outside if it’s cold, so make sure you have an indoors back-up option for your drinks reception. Ask your caterers, venue co-ordinator or wedding planner to make a decision on the weather before the ceremony to ensure the day runs smoothly.
4. Keep in mind what you and your bridesmaids will be wearing on the day – if you’re in a strapless dress you’re unlikely to want to spend much time posing for photographs if it is particularly chilly. Discuss alternative indoor options with your photographer in advance in order to avoid wasting time on the day trying to find good photo opportunities.
5. Think carefully about the food you’re going to serve. Guests will probably appreciate warm canapés more than cold nibbles, and whilst a chilled starter and dessert is great for summer, it may not prove quite so popular on a cool October afternoon.
6. Make sure your venue will be warm enough – it might be reasonably mild in the day, but autumn evenings can be particularly cool and you don’t want your guests feeling cold. This is particularly important for barns and village halls, which can be large draughty spaces, as well as marquees. Check in advance that there is sufficient heating, and consider hiring in extra heaters and/or leaving baskets of blankets to ensure guests stay warm.
7. Marquees can work at any time of year, providing you have thought carefully about the logistics involved. Chances are it will rain at some point in the run up to your wedding, and fields may become waterlogged more easily than in summer. Make sure you have a solid floor to avoid the unwanted appearance of any bogs inside the marquee, and provide carpeted/solid paths to the toilets and car park so that guests don’t get wet or muddy.
8. Unpredictable weather can make for some fabulous photographs, so above all don’t let a rain shower ruin your day. “For the rest of your life every time it starts to rain, it will remind you of this wonderful special day in your life…Embrace the unexpected, dance in your rain boots, and kiss your husband in the rain” (quoted from Elizabeth Messina ).
Photo Credits:
Bride with veil:
Segerius Bruce
Bride with umbrella:
Lloyd Dobbie
Bride and bridesmaids in wellies:
Kerry Morgan
Rugs:
Touch Photography
via
Zoe Lingard
Bride and groom kissing:
Kiss The Groom