The natural beauty of Red Gate Farms is simply unparalleled. From the overarching ancient oaks draped in Spanish moss, the sweeping paddocks to our glistening pond, hosting an outdoor wedding on our property guarantees a truly magnificent backdrop. But, while it may be every couple’s dream to get married under sunny, picture-perfect skies, Mother Nature sometimes has other plans. While planning all of the fun details for your wedding celebration, you may not want to even think about the possibility of bad weather. Unfortunately, the elements are unpredictable, and it is impossible to promise clear skies and gorgeous weather when you book your venue long in advance. However, there’s no need to let the rain keep you from enjoying your big day. From slight drizzles to downpours, the team at Red Gate Farms can help you still have the gorgeous wedding of your dreams — rain or shine! Here are some tips from our wedding experts on preparing the best backup plans for bad weather on your wedding day.
Plan Ahead
To avoid any added unnecessary stress on your big day, during the months leading up to your celebration, take the time to come up with Plan Bs (and maybe even Plan Cs). Whether just your ceremony or your entire wedding is to be outdoors, make sure you have a sheltered alternative. Pitching tents on your wedding grounds can give you the best of both worlds, providing shelter while also offering an outdoor feel. Don’t forget to also keep your guests in the loop! On your wedding invitations, let your guests know the celebration will be outdoors so they can better prepare, too.
Embrace the Unexpected
Considering all the time and energy that goes into planning a wedding, it’s understandable to want every detail to go according to plan. However, no amount of checklists, spreadsheets, or detailed timelines can change a weather forecast. During your months of planning, it’s important to remind yourself to embrace the unexpected and go with the flow. Obsessing over things outside of your control will only stir up anxiety and may make you lose sight of what truly matters on your wedding day. When you give yourself grace and can accept a change of plans with a smile, you’ll feel more relaxed and prepared. After all, rain or shine, you’ll still be marrying the love of your life, surrounded by the people you love!
Find a Venue and Vendors You Trust
Before committing to a wedding venue, caterer, DJ, or photographer, talk with them to determine what their plan of action is in the face of rainy weather. Ask your venue to see any backup spaces they may offer if your ceremony gets rained out, and ask your photographer to see galleries from rainy weddings. We also suggest hiring a wedding coordinator that can easily handle the logistics of last-minute changes, so you can be as present and relaxed as possible in the minutes leading up to walking down the aisle. At Red Gate Farms, we’ll do everything in our power to make sure your stunning outdoor ceremony goes off without a hitch. However, in the rare instances where the weather will not cooperate at all, we have backup plans prepared far in advance to help your day be as smooth and stress-free as possible. If it showers during the day of your wedding, we will go out and make sure all of your chairs are dried off before your guests arrive. In the chance that it rains all day, we can implement an alternative plan in as little as 30 minutes before your ceremony begins. Often, we can even bring in your beautiful outdoor backdrop from the altar and place it in the doorway of an indoor venue. In addition, we can move chairs from the tables to arrange a stunning indoor aisle, and we can also rearrange cocktail tables inside onto the dance floor. Then, after the ceremony, while your guests are enjoying a delicious cocktail and your wedding party is getting photographed, we will quickly pull the tables back out.
Red Gate Farms
At Red Gate Farms, your happiness is our top priority. We will do everything we can to ensure your wedding day is all that you dreamed it to be and more. Our exceptional team is always present and working your event, and we are ready to make a quick change when need be. We also have a list of local, trusted vendors who share in our dedication to our amazing and unique couples. To learn more about hosting a wedding at Red Gate Farms and to explore our three unique venues, contact Red Gate Farms today!