How to be Prepared for Rain…
“I’m advising clients a little differently based on how April went,” admits wedding planner Corinne Sullivan of Social Graces Weddings and Events, who oversaw Elizabeth Rain and Philip Beal’s stormy celebration. Indeed, spring 2024—the sixth rainiest on record in Dallas-Fort Worth—was enough to scare even the most risk-tolerant team into having a rain plan at the ready. Here are four considerations to keep in mind when planning an outdoor wedding.
Take it Inside
If your venue has an indoor option, that’s an easy plan B. You can often make a judgment call as late as the day-of—which can be a good or bad thing. (Do you want to be glued to the radar on your wedding day?) “By the time the florist or chair rentals arrive, we have to make a decision, and there’s no flip-flopping back and forth,” Corinne says. Pro tip: Plan your guest count accordingly, as outdoor capacities tend to be higher than indoor ones.
Under the Big Top
Tents can be a beautiful and reliable option, but they come at a cost—and a commitment, with associated permits pulled and deposits paid in advance. “I’ve had instances where we’ve initiated a rain plan, and it’s sunny during the ceremony,” Corinne says. “There’s only so much you can do.”
Clear as Mud
Even if your wedding day is sunny, rain in the days leading up to it can result in a muddy mess. “If someone’s going to sit in a Chiavari chair and sink, that’s not ideal,” Corinne says. If your venue doesn’t have artificial turf (and many don’t), you’ll need to consider protecting the ground from precipitation or adding subfloor to your outdoor space.
The Bright Side
There are silver linings to having a tented or indoor wedding. Climate control is a big one (although in a tent, this does come at an additional cost). You’re also protected from inconveniences like wind and mosquitoes. “I think the biggest perk would be just knowing, ‘I don’t have to think about that on the day of,’ ” says Corinne. After some initial disappointment, bride Taylor Revling ultimately came to appreciate what rain brought to her Hotel Drover wedding. “[It] added this beautiful intimacy to the day that made everything feel more romantic, memorable, and cozy,” she says.
or Shine…
In Texas, even more likely than driving rain is oppressive heat—something these couples know a thing or two about. Learn their tactics for combatting high temps.
Heat Wave
The forecast called for rain on May 18, 2024, leading Madison Zeinert and Drew Sleezer to make a last-minute call to Marquee Event Rentals to secure a tent for their Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden wedding. But instead of rain, they got extreme heat, so the couple provided fans for all guests. “Every single guest was using their fan throughout the ceremony!” remembers Madison, who ultimately preferred having the tent, regardless of the weather. “I felt the tent added more structure to our overall floor plan, and it also created a more intimate ambience for our guests.” The couple’s planner, Crystal Frasier, notes that while clear tents allow for visibility, they can actually amplify heat, whereas white-top tents are “8 to 10 degrees cooler.”
More Than Meets the Eye
The colors and flavors of the Italian countryside inspired much of the aesthetic for Sheridan Hale and Austin Stogner’s July 6, 2024, wedding at The Dallas Country Club. Wanting a creative take on staid details, the bride worked alongside planner Kennedy Knight of Knighted Affairs and Jordan Standing of Pens & Needles Co. to conceptualize a silk fan that doubled as a menu card—“a practical and distinctive touch,” says Kennedy.
