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Getting married in the rain? Here're some tips to make the most of it

Wedding Planning

Getting married in the rain? Here're some tips to make the most of it

Written by Meraki Team

Every year, as the rainy season arrives, many couples find themselves wondering: if rain happens to fall on their wedding day, what should they prepare to ensure that all the plans they have spent so much time putting together can still unfold beautifully? After working alongside couples through all kinds of weather surprises, Meraki has gathered a few quick tips to help you feel a little more prepared when things do not go exactly as planned. Come behind the scenes with us and pick up a few practical tips to help you stay prepared while keeping the emotions of the day right where they belong: with you~

BEFORE YOU PICK THE DATE

Every region has its own rainy season, so the weather at your chosen destination is definitely something worth considering when picking your wedding date.

SOUTHERN VIETNAM: May – November

CENTRAL VIETNAM: September – February

Of course, these periods are only general references. Weather is never something we can predict with complete certainty.

Still, knowing a little about the rainy season at your chosen destination can help you make a more informed decision, especially if you are planning a celebration with plenty of outdoor moments.

And if your dream date happens to fall during the rainy season, that does not necessarily mean you need to change it. It simply means that a backup plan should become part of the plan from the very beginning.

WHEN THE WEATHER CHANGES THE PLAN

When planning a wedding during the rainy season, one of the first things Meraki likes to think through with our couples is:** if it rains, how will our space change?**

OPTION 1: PLAN FOR A TENT FROM THE START

If you still want to keep the celebration outdoors, a tent or covered structure can be incorporated into the overall decor from the start.

This means details such as the tent size, pole placement, table layout, stage, backdrop and walkways can all be considered in advance, so that if the rain comes, the team does not have to completely rethink a space that has already been set up.

It can also allow the tent to feel like a natural part of the wedding design, rather than something added at the last minute simply because it started raining.

OPTION 2: ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN B

If your venue has an indoor area available, it is worth discussing a backup plan with your venue and planner in advance:

  • Can the celebration continue outdoors if the rain is light?
  • If the rain gets heavier, where would the ceremony or reception move to?
  • Is the backup space large enough for all your guests?
  • Which decor elements can be moved?
  • How much time would the transition take?
  • Does an indoor space or ballroom need to be reserved in advance?

You do not always need to prepare a completely separate second setup. Depending on the venue, guest count and the kind of celebration you envision, your planner can help you work out a backup plan that feels practical and right for you.

To preserve the OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE, make sure that:

  • **The venue has enough open space **to allow for a flexible change of setup if needed.
  • **The decor plan can be adjusted **to accommodate different weather scenarios.
  • Guests can be kept informed if there are any changes to the space or timeline.
  • **All vendors are updated **so everyone knows what needs to be adjusted on their end.

A good backup plan does not necessarily mean having a completely different wedding plan. Sometimes, it simply means knowing where to move, what needs to be moved, and who will make the call when the rain starts to fall.

BEHIND THE SCENES: WHEN RAIN HITS

This may be the part you see the least in your wedding photos, but it is often where Meraki and the vendors need to move quickly when the rain actually arrives.

Getting married in the rain? Here're some tips to make the most of it — photo 11

ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND DEAL WITH WATERLOGGED AREAS

For venues with large grassy or outdoor areas, heavy rain can quickly leave the ground muddy, slippery or waterlogged.

Depending on the situation, the team may need to:

  • Add and level sand in areas that are becoming soft or uneven.
  • Dig or clear drainage channels to help water flow away.
  • Install platforms where needed.
  • Prepare flooring, mats or walkways for areas guests need to pass through.
  • **Check areas around electrical **cables and equipment.
  • Prioritise the paths that the couple and guests will actually be using.

These may seem like small details, but they can make a real difference to how the day feels. The last thing we want is for the bride to spend her walk to the ceremony lifting her dress and carefully stepping around puddles.

Getting married in the rain? Here're some tips to make the most of it — photo 12

A LITTLE EXTRA CARE FOR THE BRIDE

THE DRESS

For weddings with plenty of outdoor moments, Meraki usually recommends having a few simple measures in place to help keep the dress looking its best:

  • Prepare a BACKUP DRESS if the schedule involves a lot of outdoor movement.
  • Have someone ready to lift and manage the train while the bride is walking.
  • Minimise direct contact between the dress and muddy or waterlogged areas.
  • If the dress does get dirty, KEEP THE STAIN CONTAINED to prevent mud or colour from spreading onto the rest of the white fabric.
  • If the dress does happen to get dirty, resist the urge to scrub it immediately. For delicate fabrics or intricate details, it is always better to let the team responsible for the dress handle it properly.
MAKEUP

Rain and humidity can affect the bride’s makeup, especially after spending time outdoors or moving between different areas. Having a Makeup Artist on standby means the bride can receive a little extra care whenever she needs it, so that even when the weather changes, she can continue to look polished and feel her best throughout the day.

  • MAKEUP ARTIST ON STANDBY FOR TOUCH-UPS: ready to refresh the base and touch up the makeup after outdoor activities or exposure to rain.
  • FLEXIBILITY TO ADJUST THE LOOK IF NEEDED: if the weather or timeline changes, the makeup can be adapted to suit the conditions and different moments of the day.
Getting married in the rain? Here're some tips to make the most of it — photo 18

THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

There are a few things that may seem easy to overlook on an ordinary day, but become surprisingly useful when the rain arrives.

UMBRELLAS - SLIPPERS - TOWELS

  • **Umbrellas: **for moving between different outdoor areas.
  • Slippers: especially helpful when grassy or outdoor areas become wet.
  • Towels: for guests to freshen up or handle those little unexpected moments.

The team will also keep an eye on the paths guests need to take, making sure they can move around comfortably without having to navigate slippery or waterlogged areas.

Behind every wedding day are countless plans, quick decisions and little adjustments. But for Meraki, what matters most is staying true to the things we always put first:

  • Prioritising the guest experience.
  • Looking after the couple’s emotions.
  • Staying flexible when the unexpected happens.
  • Being proactive so the day can still feel complete.

SO, WHAT IF IT RAINS?

Perhaps, after all the backup plans and preparations, this is what we want to remind couples of most: do not be too quick to think that a rainy wedding day is an incomplete one.

We have been part of weddings where the rain arrived just as everyone was getting ready, and the whole team had to quickly rethink the plan. Someone moved the tables, someone protected the flowers, someone looked after the equipment, someone guided the guests. Everyone had a role, and everyone simply did what they could to keep the celebration going.

And then, when everyone gathered under shelter from the rain, friends lifted their dresses, families stayed together and waited for the weather to ease, we were reminded that sometimes, it is only when a wedding does not unfold exactly as planned that we get to see certain things more clearly.

The way people adapt together. The friends who are always willing to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand. The family who stays close and waits for the rain to pass. The laughter and little moments of connection that continue even on a day that looks a little different from what everyone had imagined.

Perhaps a wedding is not only about a day when everything looks beautiful and goes according to plan. It is also the moment when two people begin learning how to walk through all the days ahead together: the sunny ones, the rainy ones, and all the things neither of them could have predicted.

And sometimes, it is those unexpected moments that make the promises made that day feel even more real, when the two of you are still holding hands and the people you love are still right there beside you.

Because, in the end, love has never needed a perfect day to be beautiful. The rain will eventually pass, but the way everyone stayed, shared the moment and moved forward together may become one of the most beautiful parts of the story you carry with you long after the wedding day.

Getting married in the rain? Here're some tips to make the most of it — photo 28

Wishing every couple a truly meaningful and joyful journey as you prepare for your wedding day.

Warmly,

Meraki.