Ah, the weather. Is it just me or does everyone worry about the weather on their wedding day? There were a few factors that went into our choice of an April wedding. First, we didn’t want too long of an engagement. Sixteen months has been plenty of time—anything longer would’ve made me too impatient. Also, I really desperately want peonies. That meant April or May. Lastly, the weather was very important for us to consider because I pass out when I get too hot. As in eyes roll back, fully faint, on the ground pass out. So summer months were out. With fall out because of a long engagement, summer out because of the heat, and a desire for peonies—spring it was.
Image via Diana Elizabeth blog / Photo by Diana Elizabeth
Then comes one of those weird quirks that some people (no, just me?) have…I really don’t like odd numbers. Exception: 23. But being married in 2013 was enough odd numbers for me, so we (okay, I mostly) decided on April instead of May. After that, it was easy—it would either be the sixth or the 20th, because we wanted a Saturday wedding.
Now, the sixth is special to us. Mr. O’s birthday is June 6th, mine is December 6th. We started dating in June. But I wanted to set our wedding apart from these other dates, so the 20th it was.
But less of my weirdness and more about the weather: according to one version of a long range weather forecast, the weather in “April…will be warmer and drier than normal, with an especially warm first half of April.” Well, the especially warm part doesn’t help since we’re in the last half of the month, but at least it seems we may escape the rain, right?
We have a rain plan (move everything into the barn, which will already be set as the reception space—simple!), but I do have some concerns about our rain plan.
First, there will be people coming in and out of the barn to get things set up while the ceremony is going on. We hired pros, of course, so I’m sure that they will know what to do should the situation occur, but still—it concerns me that there may be food being set up while we’re actually having our ceremony. Another concern is the setup of the actual space; some guests may not be able to see because there are pillars throughout the space. Again, I’m sure that guests could move their chairs around as needed, but it still crosses my mind.
For those of you who had a rain plan, how did you accommodate everyone? And is there anything else I should be thinking of?
A rainy day alternative was one reason why we chose our venue (though rain happens rarely there). We wanted an outdoor ceremony with nature as our backdrop, but in case of rain we would have held the ceremony in the great room of the lodge – large fireplace, huuuuge windows to look outside… so as close to our original plan as possible. Luckily there was no rain in sight!
We did a barn wedding too, and it looked like rain (it cleared up the minute we got started, of course), and so we had the ceremony in the barn with the tables off to the side. To be honest, I can’t say I’m sure whether or not they were setting up the cocktail hour during the reception. I think not? I think it worked? It wasn’t ideal, but oh well. People will say this, but it’s so true: a lot of that stuff just doesn’t matter once the big day comes.
I have a rainy day plan as well. We’re going to be at an estate and want to be wed in front of the arbor in the gardens. I’ve put a lot of effort into making garlands to decorate the arbor with. I’m also going to have aisle flowers hanging from Shepard hooks. If we get married inside it’ll still be quite lovely but I won’t be able to use ALL the decorations I had planned for the arbor. We’ll also be getting married in the area that was going to be designated for cocktail hour so after we exit some friends will just have to re-arrange chairs a bit. There also won’t be any lawn games and the ceremony will be mostly standing room only.
And I am also weird about even / odd numbers.. I don’t like that it’s 20″13,” but at least the 4 and 20 are even.
I am soooo glad I am NOT the only one who doesn’t like odd numbers. I was out with a bunch of girls last week and this exact topic came up (weird??) anyway I was the only one with an aversion to odd numbers… I also don’t like :00 on clocks, so for my alarm it has to be 6:02 or 6:04 or 6:14…. LOL
I thought I was the only one who was weird about odd numbers!!! Only I couldn’t stand to be married in an odd year, so my husband and I had a SHORT engagement (read= three months) and got married 12-1-12 (I had to forego all even numbers, but still happy).
23 is my exception too. And oddly 17 sounds good to me too.
We’re having an outdoor ceremony but May 18th is HAWT in Texas already so it’ll be in the evening with a indoor reception. Our rain plan is to PRAY! and we would have to convert the reception space to host the ceremony which is possible but would break my heart. According to Farmer’s Almanac it hasn’t rained in at least 8 years on that day, so here’s hoping!
We didn’t have a rain plan, but then again, rain is not common around here in that time of year,
I guess I don’t have a problem with odd numbers since my date is 3.30.13!
Our rain plan was praying there was no rain, so I’m no help 
It sounds like you have thought of all the important details!
Omg. Numbers are crazy for me Mae were married 12.30.12 bc it was nice and even. Had to be married at 5:00 bc 4:30 made my skin crawl!
haha i am the opposite with your number aversion…i prefer odd numbers so i wanted 7/27/13. When that didn’t work out, i switched to 7/13/13 instead rather than 7/20/13!
So no rain stories but I really like odd numbers and not even lol
Mrs. Otter, Indianapolis, IN Age and Occupation: 22, Freelance Social Media Consultant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, CVS Shift Supervisor Engagement Date: November 11, 2011 Wedding Date: April 2013 Venue: Mustard Seed Gardens About Me: I'm a born and raised Hoosier girl, but a diehard Michigan Wolverines fan. I have a tendency to take too many photos and spend full days having TV marathons. Mr. Otter and I met in high school, started dating a couple years later, and moved in after a month of being official. He is easygoing and makes plans on a whim, while I'm color coordinating my planner and organizing everything in sight. He hates glitter, but it's my favorite thing. I have tattoos and he still won't get one, despite my attempts to convince him. We're planning a small, rustic, and (hopefully!) peony-filled wedding to get our married life started. (And yes, there will be glitter involved!)
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