8 Weird Weather Conditions to Prepare for Before Your Wedding

From making the guest list (and checking it twice) to naming your bespoke cocktails and finalizing the flower arrangements, planning a wedding involves a seemingly endless list of small tasks and decisions. But while you can endlessly plan every little detail until you walk down the aisle, chances are you'll still experience a few unforeseen situations—namely, the weather—once the big day rolls around. Especially in this day and age, when unpredictable (and devasting) weather conditions are the norm, getting married on a clear, sunny day isn't always guaranteed.

However, you don't have to leave your day-of climate completely up to chance. According to wedding planner Devanshi Patel, there are many things couples can do to prepare for less-than-ideal weather on the big day. Want to know what those precautions are? Here, we highlight eight weird weather conditions that could potentially happen on your wedding day, and explain how to prepare for them to ensure a stress-free and safe celebration.

Excessive Smoke

Prepping for excessive smoke may seem a bit farfetched, but given the recent surge in destructive wildfires across the United States, this is a weather situation couples should prepare for when planning their nuptials. Thus, if you're tying the knot in an area prone to wildfire smoke, Patel recommends working with your planner or event space to secure an indoor location should you need to move your outdoor celebration inside. Already having an indoor wedding? Find out if your venue has a good air filtration system in place. “Fire extinguishers are a must at all event venues,” adds Patel. “Regularly check air quality reports and have an evacuation plan.” You should also consider having face masks available for guests as an extra precaution.

Hurricanes

If you're planning to host your nuptials in a place where hurricanes are common, be sure to choose a venue "with a strong infrastructure that can withstand severe weather,” says Patel. What's more, continuously stay up to date with the local weather to ensure you're not surprised by any last-minute storms. (Since your own to-do list is likely infinite, we recommend putting a loved one in charge of this task.) The best preventative measure you can take, however, is to select a wedding date outside of hurricane season. But if that's not possible, plan to have a back-up indoor venue if your nuptials are taking place outdoors—and have tons of umbrellas on hand for guests to use in case any rain clouds decide to show up as you walk down the aisle.

Tornados

When you think of tornados, you might immediately envision a few terrifying scenes from the movie Twister. But according to Patel, tornados don't have to be a total deal-breaker. Since this weather condition tends to come without much warning, the planner shares that you'll want to make sure you have clear signage for emergency exits, a basement or storm shelter, and a detailed emergency response plan, including people designated to guide guests toward safety. Confirm that the vendors you’re working with are open to changing plans on short notice, as well (you want to hire people who can think on the fly and help keep everyone safe in case of an emergency).

Excessive Fog

Fog may be a dream come true for some individuals, as many people pay for fog machines to create a dreamy, romantic ambiance at their wedding. However, excessive fog is no joke and can even be dangerous—especially when it comes to the commute to and from the venue. To keep guests safe during this weather condition, Patel advises couples to ensure their venue has good lighting for low-visibility conditions. “We often plan for the ceremonies and photos to be held indoors to avoid navigation issues for guests,” she explains. “Providing professional shuttle services ensures safe transportation to and from the venue, and will help to avoid any accidents or casualties.” 

Heavy Wind

While light wind through your hair will make you look like a total movie star, heavy wind may mess with more than just your hairstyle. More specifically, if you’re using a tent at any point during your wedding, make sure you've rented a wind-resistant one to prevent your structure of falling or flying away on the big day. Also, if you suspect your wedding might experience several gusts of wind, don't forget to secure all outdoor decorations, making sure that candles and flower arrangements are weighed down safely. “Avoid lightweight décor that can be easily blown away, and use heavier centerpieces,” adds Patel. 

Sandstorms

Since sandstorms can lead to power outages, what's most important when prepping for this weather condition is that you secure a few backup generators in advance of your celebration. A slightly cuter, more stylish tip from Patel? Provide your guests with sunglasses in the event they need to protect their eyes (bonus points if you customize them). The same goes for face masks; feel free to get creative with styling some unique ones that match your décor. If you have long hair, you may also want to consider an updo so that your style isn’t blowing excess sand into your eyes. And as always, have an indoor backup plan if you're planning an outdoor bash, notes Patel.

Earthquakes

You might be feeling nervous if you booked a venue in a place that’s earthquake-prone, since you usually can’t plan for an earthquake or see it in a weather forecast. But don't fret: As long as you select a venue that complies with seismic building codes and has an emergency plan in place, you should be fine, shares Patel. Prepare to have first-aid supplies and evacuation routes on deck, as well. “Have a safety briefing on your website for your guests, especially if they are unfamiliar with earthquake procedures,” Patel adds. Another tip? Make sure that a few people in your wedding party are trained on the earthquake evacuation plan, so they can calmly guide guests to the right place need-be.

Floods

Though Patel plans events all over the world, her experience with planning weddings in India has provided her with much expertise in dealing with floods (a weather condition that's extremely common in the South Asian region). So, what's her number one piece of advice? Avoid flood season and venues in flood-prone areas, if possible. After that, she advises couples to monitor weather forecasts closely during flood seasons, and have a contingency plan for transportation if roads become closed off. "Choose locations on high ground that have a good drainage system,” she adds.