When the weather has other plans on your wedding day

Daniel and Felicia's wedding in March 2024 was a day to remember, not only for the reasons they had originally anticipated. The couple had planned for a beautiful outdoor ceremony in the scenic Mamawatu at Te Puna, but just as guests were about to arrive, the weather took a turn for the worst.

Intense wind and sideways rain threatened to ruin their carefully planned event, but we couldn't let a little rain ruin the day. As soon as we could see that the rain wasn't going to give up, I spoke with Daniel about moving the ceremony inside. There was definitly some concerns about not bringing the original ceremony vision to life but I encouraged Daniel with kind words of 'I don't think your wife will want to be getting wet in her stunning dress...

From there we got to changing the layout of the indoor reception venue to allow enough space for both the ceremony and the reception. It was tight, we moved a few tables into the corner but we managed to get the pueues into the building, placed nicely facing a corner where the bridal party would stand. Luckily, Felicia's step mum owns Aull Backdrops and had custom made some georgeous backdrops for the couple and guests to enjoy so we put this infront of the wall to spruse up the place. and walah, a stunning ceremony venue.

If you ever find yourself in a situation like Daniel and Felicia's, here are a few tips to help you turn your outdoor ceremony into an indoor one last minute:

1. Have a backup plan: Always have a backup plan in case the weather doesn't cooperate on your big day. Whether it's renting a tent or securing an indoor venue as a backup, having a Plan B will save you a lot of stress and hassle. This is something I ensure you plan for as your celebrant. When we do our rehersal, we'll also rehearse your wet weather plan.

2. Communicate with your vendors: Keep in touch with your vendors and let them know about any changes to your plans. They can help you make the necessary adjustments to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Ideally you would have a Day of Coordinator involved who can manage all of this including anything else on the day for you.

3. Stay calm: It's easy to get stressed out when things don't go according to plan, but remember that at the end of the day, what truly matters is that you are marrying the love of your life. Keep a positive attitude and roll with the punches.

Despite the unexpected weather, Daniel and Felicia's wedding turned out to be a beautiful and memorable day. By staying calm and adapting quickly to the changing circumstances, we were able to create a magical indoor ceremony that their guests will never forget.