Hurricane Florence is heading for the southeast coast of the United States. What it does after it comes ashore remains to be seen. But, there is a strong possibility this storm will seriously impact numerous regions. Wedding pros consider themselves to be “crisis management experts,” so we immediately thought about the weddings impacted by this weather. Check out these six tips that I believe you should strongly consider if you are planning a wedding this weekend.
1. Review the Emergency Prep Work You’Ve Already Put in Place
Did you book a back-up tent for your outdoor wedding ceremony? Well, now is the time to determine if you are going to use it. Don’t wait until the last minute. You may miss out on the tent and/or your chance to get out of the balance due for the tent.
If the weather is forecasted to be too severe for your wedding, gather your wedding insurance policy and vendor contracts. Review the “force majeure” or the “impossibility” clause again. You need to know these details before you can make good choices going forward.
2. Discuss and Determine a Potential “Plan B” With The Venue and Vendors First
The “Plan B” may be the simple task of moving the wedding ceremony inside. Or, it may be a situation where you have to move the wedding or event to a different day. Either way, you should check with all of the “players” before you talk to your wedding guests. The topic of changing the wedding day logistics the week of the wedding might be an emotional and challenging discussion. So, it’s best if you are prepared with an option.
3. Set a Deadline to Implement the “Plan B” for the Wedding
Making the decision to change your wedding set-up or even cancel your wedding can be gut-wrenching. So many steps have to be taken by the venue and vendors once you make that decision. So, you cannot wait until the very last minute. If forecasters are predicting a severe storm, you may need to decide how to proceed at least 24 hours before your wedding. If the forecast is for rain, you can probably make a decision one to four hours before the ceremony. It all depends on the set-up.
4. Adjust the Timeline to Account for the Weather’s Impact on Traffic
I don’t care where you live, heavy rain always affects traffic! So, the travel time you scheduled for the trip to the wedding venue could potentially double. Take a long, hard look at the “day of” wedding day timeline you created. Consider padding in extra travel time to ensure you and your wedding party arrive on time for the ceremony.
5. Make Sure You Have a Coat Check and/or Umbrella Check In Place for Your Guests
Coats and umbrellas make for ugly wedding pictures. So, make sure you have a place where your guest can check them upon arrival. If you don’t have a coat check, your guests will hang them on the ceremony chairs and the reception chairs. And, those coats on chairs will ruin the overall design you worked so hard to create.
6. Make Sure Your Emergency Kit Is Well-Stocked and Ready for Bad Weather
In case of a weather emergency, your kit should have the following items. This list is in addition to the items you typically have in a wedding day emergency kit.
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- A back-up battery charger for your cell phone
- A whistle, just in case you need to signal for help.
- Candles and matches
- Bottled water
- And, a list of your immediate family, your wedding party and your vendors, along with their cell phone numbers.
Do You Need Assistance With Planning Your Wedding?
Are you ready to embark upon a worry-free wedding planning experience? Please contact your professional wedding planning team at Howerton+Wooten Events. We specialize in helping clients create authentic, creative, and inspiring wedding days that feel safe and comfortable for everyone.
Love and Soul Always, Kawania
Photo: Shutterstock
P.S. Are you thinking of booking me as a wedding industry expert for your live event, podcast, TV show or news article? Click here to learn more about my knowledge and expertise.