Rain, Rain Go Away!

Today, it’s pouring rain outside. I mean, POUR-ING.  This isn’t a sprinkle-sprinkle kind of rain. This is Florida’s finest…cats and dogs!

I can’t help but think about someone’s wedding that’s scheduled for today.  Somewhere, there’s a bride looking out the window, wondering what to do.  And then, I can’t help but remember my own outdoor wedding and the rain-worries I had.

Do you see this happy smiling bride?

Credit: Lauren Kinsey Photography

Yeah, that’s me!  I was exceptionally happy, but  what you didn’t see is the dark, ominous clouds drifting overhead.  Nor did you hear that rumbling of thunder right before I took my first steps down the path to the ceremony site. Here comes the bridesmaids!  Here comes the flower girls! Here comes the….THUNDER!!!

For days leading up to my wedding, I had checked Weather.com compulsively.  The 1-month forecast, the 2-week forecast, 10-day, 7-day, 3-day, 24-hour, 12-hour!  I was my own wedding-day-weather-expert! I even checked the Farmer’s Almanac!!  Anything! Something!

The morning of my wedding I woke up and the sky was blue and sunshiny.  “That’s a good sign,” I thought, drawing back the hotel curtains.  Florida weather, though, is funny.  I’ve come to the conclusion that it has a weather-identity-crisis.  It can go from blue sky to a torrential downpour in a matter of hours.

Credit: Lauren Kinsey Photography

I lived in California all my life.  In California, if you wake up and it’s a rainy day…YOU KNOW it’s going to be a rainy day.  If you wake up, and it’s sunny, YOU KNOW it’s going to be a sunny day.  Not Florida….no sir!!  The weather around here is a whole ‘nother animal!

All that to say…the morning of my wedding…it was SUNSHINY.  It was a perfect day…my perfect day! As the first notes of Butterfly Waltz began to play and I started walking down the long, winding path to the ceremony site, little tiny sprinkles began to cascade from the clouds. My guests have told me that it was beautiful, like sparkles falling from the sky. To me, however, they could have been marbles! Focus Christine! Focus! (Bam! Bam! Bam!)  Florida weather at it’s finest.

Credit: Lauren Kinsey Photography

As it turned it, the timing of the sprinkles did look magical, and the inevitable dour-pour, only took place after the guests were safely inside enjoying the reception.  Then it poured cats, dogs, hamsters and probably someone’s iguana!

I’ve said all this, because I did not have a rain plan. Sure, I read about it, but in my mind, rain was impossible on the most wonderful, magical day of my life!

So today’s weather has me thinking about rain plans.  Now I know that tenting an outdoor site can be expensive, and if you didn’t reserve a tent, it can be down-right impossible to handle in a last-minute scenario.

I think a beautiful and workable option would be to plan on umbrellas for all your guests and wedding party.  I’ve seen some surprisingly wonderful pictures online with rainy day weddings.  Look at these for instance:

Credit: Jebock Photography

And what about this?

Credit: David Purslow Photography

Okay, this is completely smile-worthy:

Credit: Lucky Dog Photo

One more cute one:

Credit: Offbeatbride.com

If I had to come up with a rain plan that didn’t break my budget, I think umbrellas are a good option.  I know for myself, that the natural beauty of the outdoors were important to me.  I wanted that to shine through.  I think these clear umbrellas would have allowed for that.  How about these clear umbrellas that you can buy in bulk at a wholesale rate? The price point on both of these items is worthy of rainy-day-consideration.  I think that the guests would look fantastic , and it wouldn’t interfere as much with your photography.

This umbrella from Bloomingdale’s, albeit at bit more expensive, would be adorable for the wedding party!  I’m just imagining that pop of color with that red heart.  Love it!

Bloomingdale's

Urban Outfitters has this good-looking umbrella, which would also work for the wedding party.  The black crisp borders are ideal for any wedding with black as an accent.  How perfect!  And again, this is a great price point!  You could outfit your entire wedding party!

Urban Outfitters

Amazon.com carries all sorts of umbrellas options.  How about this cutie with the polka-dots? I love the cheery colors!

Amazon.com

I’m so thankful that it didn’t rain on my wedding day!  With all the last-minute planning and late-night preparation, a rain plan just didn’t work itself into my big picture for that day!

Maybe you’re in the same situation…conscious that there could be rain, but not planning for it.  I mean, you’ve broken the piggy bank already, right?  I think these umbrella options are creative and can work on conservative budget, even a tight budget.  Treat them as an accessory.  Choose umbrellas that will compliment your colors and style.  Clear umbrellas will allow the scenery to shine through.

Rainy days happen, but with a little forethought, you can use it to your advantage.  Turn your umbrellas into accessories and give that cloud a silver lining that no one will forget!

As always, if you need my creative help, shoot me a comment below. I’m people-friendly!