Planning for bad weather without assuming your wedding will be ruined

Outdoor weddings are worth the risk for the setting they offer, but that risk is only manageable if there's a real backup plan in place well before the day, rather than a vague hope that the forecast will cooperate.

Build the backup into the original booking

Ask your venue about indoor or tented alternatives before you sign, and get the switch cost in writing. A venue that can't tell you what happens if it rains isn't fully ready for an outdoor ceremony, regardless of how good the garden looks in photos.

Set a decision deadline and a decision-maker

Agree in advance on when the call gets made (say, three hours before the ceremony) and who makes it, ideally your coordinator rather than you on the morning of. Having this settled ahead of time avoids an anxious last-minute debate while you're getting ready.

Small additions that cover a lot of ground

• A stack of inexpensive umbrellas for guests, branded or plain
• A tent rented as insurance even if you're planning for clear skies
• A note on the invitation suite mentioning the ceremony is outdoors, so guests dress accordingly