Wedding in the Rain: What a Good Plan B Looks Like

In Germany rain is not unusual even in June. Anyone who wants to celebrate outdoors therefore needs a plan B, and not an improvised one but one that is just as beautiful.

Plan B is not an emergency

Think the alternative through from the start, as an equal variant. If the ceremony has to take place indoors: is the room nicely decorated? Does everyone have a chair? Who sets it up? Once that is settled, rain loses its terror.

The options

• The venue's indoor space: Easiest if there is a nice room that is free anyway.
• Tent or pavilion: Costs money but makes you independent. Often you can reserve it until shortly before.
• Covered terrace: Enough for a drinks reception and ceremony in light rain.

What to ask the venue beforehand

• Is there an indoor space that is definitely free on the day, or only "probably"?
• Do all guests fit in there with chairs, even for the ceremony?
• Who sets it up, and does it cost extra?
• By when must the decision be made so the setup works?
• Can a tent be set up, and until when can it be cancelled free of charge?

Have the answers given in writing. "We'll sort it out" over the phone helps little on the wedding morning.

When to decide?

Set a fixed time, usually the day before or the morning of the wedding. Who decides? Ideally the venue or the witnesses together with you, so you don't stare at the weather app for hours. The setup time determines how late the decision can be made.

A 30 percent chance of rain, by the way, does not mean it rains 30 percent of the time. It says how likely it is that it rains at some point in that period. So look at the hourly forecast and the rain radar instead. A short shower at 11 am is no reason to move the 3 pm ceremony indoors.

When it suddenly rains in the middle of the celebration

Sometimes the forecast holds until the afternoon and then a thunderstorm moves in. For that case a simple routine is enough: who moves equipment and decor under cover, who brings the older guests inside first, and where are the spare chairs? Run through it briefly with the venue and witnesses. If everyone knows what to do, the move is done in ten minutes.

What else helps

• Towels and doormats at the entrance
• Comfortable shoes to change into
• Blankets in case it gets cold
• Allow more time for walking between buildings

Photos in the rain

Ask your photographer beforehand which places they would use in bad weather. An archway, a barn or a covered staircase is often enough for the couple's shoot. Many photographers even like rain, because the light gets softer and the pictures look different from those of any other wedding.

Seating chart for plan B

If dinner was planned outdoors and has to move inside, the entire floor plan often changes. So create two versions of the seating chart. The table assignments stay the same, only the positions in the room change. Check whether there is enough room indoors for walkways. A room that is enough for 80 guests standing is often too small for 80 guests at tables. Guidelines for this are in the article Calculating space needs.