Up until this point I have prefaced the fact that the weather was a slight concern to us. The clouds were rolling in with a vengeance. Here is a photo a guest of ours took with their phone (amazing, right?) that shows exactly what we started to deal with towards the start of the ceremony.
Not exactly how I expected our Spring wedding to be, but we decided to just roll with what the weather wanted and see what happens. Earlier in the day, the decision had been made to attempt to have the ceremony and dinner outside, with the rest of the reception inside the Inn. When we started the ceremony we had an inkling that we might be cutting it close.
As the ceremony began, the clouds started to do a little talking. There were just a few slight raindrops, but nothing major. Just enough to make you think, “did I just feel a raindrop?” Then, God decided to give us a few small fireworks-aka a flash of lightning. Then there was a slight rumble of thunder that proceeded.
Here’s the thing—we could have looked at this one of two ways. We could have been upset and frustrated that the weather was not at all what we had planned, or we could be thankful that God decided to have the weather join in on the festivities. We decided to go with the latter and enjoy the elements. With that came a few pretty cool side effects.
First of all, because the lighting was a bit darker, the twinkle lights that hung throughout the ceremony area were maximized and really popped. Typically, if the sun is out and shining, the twinkle lights are bit more difficult to see.
The next unanticipated thing that occurred due to the weather was the presence of birds in the trees. I think, due to the weather, the birds were ultra active and sang their happy little tunes. The whole time during the ceremony you could hear the birds singing in the trees. There was absolutely no mistaking their presence. In fact, we had many people tell us afterwards they thought it was pretty neat that the DJ had played bird music during the ceremony. Because ya know, that’s the first thing I thought of when panning our wedding was to make sure there was bird music. No, the birds were certainly not planned, they were real, and they added quite a beautiful effect.
Sometimes you just have to be okay with what you didn’t have planned and know there is a reason for it. If you just accept and roll with it, then there is no mistaking that the man upstairs had intended it to be that way.
How did you deal with unforeseen changes in the weather?
*Photos by Martin’s Photography
That sounds so beautiful, I’m glad the sound wasn’t annoying, but I know I would’ve been a bit worried about a bird doing its business on the guests heads.
I love a bluebird day, but there is something special about weather at a wedding- the lighting, the clouds, it gives a dramatic feel for sure!
That’s so funny that people thought the birds were recorded. I think that sounds so lovely being surrounded by nature and hearing the birds chirping away.
I love birds chirping (and my mom actually does have CDs of birds chirping, crickets, waterfalls and all that lol). A nice addition to a beautiful ceremony!
Hahaha, that’s so funny they thought it was fake birds. Sounds like it was an exciting time with the weather! 
Ok! As a wedding guest, I’m glad to hear the rumor of the birds being piped in wasn’t true! We didn’t want to believe that they weren’t real – but I think it was your dad who told us they weren’t real? Was that just a classic Doe dad joke?
Regardless, the ceremony was lovely and you couldn’t feel any rain under the canopy of trees!
the lighting does look really pretty! So happy it didn’t rain for your ceremony!
Good for you for rolling with the changes in weather Doe! Everything looks absolutely beautiful and I love that you had some background “music”. 
awww… that sounds magical and fairy tale!!!
and that pic with the clouds is amazing!
Great post !!
And the pics are FANTASTIC !!
LOVE the grounds, and the “intimate” location within the trees where you held your Ceremony (and how you’ve decorated it)
I am sure the singing birds were a wonderful effect, just seems to tie in so nicely with the surroundings.
I can’t believe people thought the birds were fake.. I mean, I guess that would be a cool add on, but omg I would never think of that, lol!! I bet it was a pretty cool effect!
Mrs. Doe, Northern California Age and Occupation: 24, Real Estate Assistant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Recycling Manager Engagement Date: December 25, 2010 Wedding Date: May 2012 Venue: Monte Verde Inn About Me: I’m a Rat Pack fan and a Christmas nut that loves to read, good wine, cheesy ’80s movies and ’90s sitcoms. My wiener dog with an attitude problem and lazy basset hound are my constant source of entertainment. He's a hunter and I like cooking so it's not rare to see wild game on our dinner menu. Both of us were born and raised in a small historic farming town where our feet are still firmly planted. We have been together for nearly a decade and have shared many life experiences together, including birthdays that are only one day apart. We are two old souls that are creating our long-awaited wedding with loads of tradition that blends our two styles into rustic elegance in the foothills of Northern California.
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