Will it ever stop raining? I do hope so as these persistent downpours are really not good for the start of the spring wedding season (or my poor hair). Getting married in the UK is always unpredictable and apparently this early rain means we're in for a long hot summer (I'll believe it when I see it) but if you are planning your I Dos, don't get caught out as frizzy hair, runny mascara and muddy hems are never a good look.

Today we look at ways to work with the rain and not let it spoil your big day. You just need to forward plan and you can guarantee as soon as you buy a few brollies and some wellies, then the sun will shine all day long.

In fact I bought an ivory wedding umbrella "just in case" for my own May wedding in 2008 as forecasts had been mixed and it ended up being glorious all day. I thought it might have been a lucky charm so I lent it to each of my friends as their "something borrowed" and it's magic worked for all of them too!

Local Bridal Accessory Boutique, Bridezillas has a great range or umbrellas, parasols and "weddingtons" to keep dry and stylish on your big day. This Anna umbrella comes in white or cream and only costs £13.00

                                        


These "Catherine" weddingtons are so gorgeous with their heels, pearlescent finish, pink lining and bow and at £49.99 are a good investment, as you could hitch up your dress and head outdoors for photos even on the wettest of days.
 

                 



     


        

















Here's some handy tips to ensure that even the dampest of days can't dampen your spirits...

10 Top Tips for Wet Weddings

• Have a pretty bridal umbrella to hand
• Buy or hire golf umbrellas for the bridal party or guests
• Have a backup indoor drinks reception location planned in advance
• Speak to your photographer in advance about indoor or sheltered photo locations
• Get ready at the venue if there is a room available to avoid getting wet before the ceremony
• Have bridal wellies or weddingtons for outdoor pictures
• It's unlikely the whole day will be wet so be ready to head outside for pictures if the weather breaks for a while
• Plan ahead and inform your guests if the grounds will be muddy so they can plan too
• If you are planning a marquee check that walkways are carpeted or covered
• Don't let it worry you...there are some fantastic wedding photos taken under big umbrellas

Words by Bristol Wedding Planner Steph Allison of How 2 I Do Wedding and Event Planning

Image Credits: Bridezillas

Bristol Wedding Planner, Steph Allison shares some tips with us about coping with British weather when you get married.

I was involved in a gorgeous outdoor ceremony this weekend, where the happy couple had already married in the Register Office and planned to have the main ceremony in the presence of all of their family and friends on decking overlooking woodlands and a beautiful lake. Unfortunately the British weather had other plans and it rained consistently all morning, throwing the whole day into question.



Luckily the rains stopped in time to let the ceremony go ahead as planned, but they had also had the foresight to have a plan B just in case by providing an alternative area for the ceremony to take place and a mountain of golf umbrellas for guests to use.

It is vital to have contingency plans for any Wedding, particularly for wet weather. Don't just set your heart on an outdoor drinks reception or having all of your photos taken outside without having a backup location indoors. It's also a great idea to have large umbrellas to hand and possibly even some pretty Wedding wellies for the Bride and Bridesmaids if you do get outside for some photos on a wet day.



If you are having a marquee make sure that you use a reputable company so that it is 100% water tight and make sure that walkways are carpeted or made if gravel or concrete to avoid loads of mud being trailed in and out.

I have seen some gorgeous Wedding photos taken outdoors under huge brollies so don't be too disheartened if it rains on your big day. The images shown here are by American photographer Kristin Rogers. There also seems to often be a little magic when it comes to rainy wedding days that means the sun makes an appearance just in time for the ceremony.



If you would like a Wedding planner to help arrange your big day, contact Steph by or visit her website.