This is a tough subject to cover because many of our clients have their hearts set on romantic ceremonies under ancient oaks with sweeping moss or dining under the stars and dancing the night away under sparkling bistro lights. So of course, we want that for our clients too!

RAIN

Rain most certainly is a four-letter word around here. We pride ourselves on positive thinking and believe in setting intentions for gorgeous weather and a flawless day. With that being said, controlling the weather is a superpower we’ve just been unable to perfect. While Charleston is known for its glorious spring and fall temperatures and a relatively mild winter, we have also had our fair share of downright ugly weather systems occasionally reeking havoc on our otherwise perfect wedding weather.

Traditional Umbrellas in fun colors or clear bubble umbrellas can make for some pretty unique pictures. What if your bridesmaids had glittery rain boots in varying colors? It may rain, but that doesn’t mean your day can’t be all that you would hope for it to be or that you can’t have the most adorable pictures!

When you are choosing your wedding venue all things must be considered in reference to back up plans, budget and weather. While we always hope for the best and work with you to execute your first choice of outdoor wedding set-up, you must be prepared and able to afford last minute updates to accommodate inclement weather. If any part of your wedding is intended to take place outside of the comforts of an environmentally controlled environment here is what you should plan and budget for.

TENTING

It is important to place tent reserves early on in the planning process. If a storm front comes in last minute, everyone else with a Charleston wedding may be scrambling to secure a tent. The tent companies are not going to be able to accommodate everyone. You have invested too much money and time into your wedding to have it possibly ruined because you were in denial about the possibility of rain. Tent reserves require about a 35% deposit and depending on the rental company, they will need a final decision and payment anywhere from 72-36 hours prior to the event. Work with your planner to discuss tent needs and sizing! You can ask your planners to also reach out to the planners coordinating the weddings on the days before and/or after yours to facilitate a tent share if possible. While the costs won’t be evenly divided, there can be a savings of around 25%. Rain is not the only reason to consider a tent. If you are having a wedding in the summer months, typically June through September, the sun can be intense on that outdoor set-up. If your ceremony is longer than 30 minutes or your reception area is not shaded, a tent may be a wise choice, especially if you have a number of guests from more Northern areas of the country. Renting market umbrellas is a great option to provide some shading at the ceremony site or cocktail hour area without tenting it entirely.

HEAT WAVES

Speaking of summer weddings, guest comfort should be a priority if you care about the overall guest experience at your wedding. Be sure to consider providing fans or misting fans if you’ve chosen a venue without air conditioning. Locally, you can find misting fans at All-Mist. Talk to your planner about the best options for keeping your guests from overheating. A pre- ceremony sips station with water, tea and lemonade is almost surely a summer wedding requirement!

COLD FRONTS

Remember those mild winters I was talking about? We still get freezing weather come through every now and again. Talk to your wedding planner about how to keep those quests comfy with outdoor heating. A few well placed blankets and shawls can be a nice touch as well.

Fire pits can be great options for added heat on cold nights with having the advantage of adding S’more as an extra treat and who doesn’t love S’mores?

WIND

Wind is a very unpredictable thing! If you are having a Ceremony or Reception outside, we always suggest using clips to hold the table cloths down as well as placing heavy objects such as rocks as place cards. If your venue is on the water, it is guaranteed that you will be getting a breeze.

Wedding Insurance:

“Weather” or not (See what I did there?) wedding insurance is required by your venue it is a minimal investment to protect your wedding. Considering it even if you are not getting married during hurricane season. Companies like Wedsure can provide quotes quickly and you can purchase a policy from their website instantly. Their policies covers a variety of things like if you are serving your own alcohol or vendor related issues. We ALWAYS suggest purchasing a policy to our brides.

The main takeaway here is that you need to account for these things in your budget from the very beginning of your wedding planning process. You are doing yourself, your guests and your wedding (she’s like a baby to you at that point) a disservice if you avoid thinking about the possibility of inclement weather all together. Also consider your vendor contracts. Many entertainers will have contract terms when it comes to playing in the heat or rain. That string quartet cannot get their instruments wet. An open-air reception may look incredible, but if your band has to shut down for over an hour because of a 5-minute micro burst, that will negatively impact the entire flow of your reception. Work with your planner to consider all of the vendor set-up needs and requirements. If you play it smart your Plan B can be executed smoothly and without the added stress of unexpected expenses. At CWS we often have levels of back up plans or what we call flex plans. For example, if you have a high tolerance for mist or sprinkles and we can get your music covered, you may still be able to have that outdoor ceremony. However, if that rain is coming in sideways, we will execute the full rain plan.

Work with your planner to discuss all of your set-up options and have a clear understanding of when all weather decisions need to be made in advance and day of.

As always, thanks for joining me. If there’s anything at all we can advise on as you create your wedding budget and back up plans let know!

Love & Hugs,

~Beth

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