Post # 1

Member
8 posts
Newbee
My wedding is not until May 5, 2012 but we have already chosen to host the ceremony and reception in our large backyard. The weather here in Texas can turn on you in a minute, so while it has not rained on May 5th in the last 10 years, I know that if I don’t have a rain plan, it will rain.
We located a facility that is inexpensive and will allow us to bring in our own caterer and alcohol, so the only problem would be deciding at what point to pull the trigger and move locations and to notify the guests.
After discussing this plan with a close friend of mine, she says that this is not a good idea, and to just plan the backyard wedding and make do with the rain if it happens. The problem is, is I need every single inch of backyard space and tenting is not an option due to large trees. Or she said if I am that worried about the rain to just book the indoor facilty and scrap the outdoor event. Neither my fiance or I want to get married indoors (unless it is raining of course).
I just do not know what to do at this point…I need advice, support, and encouragement!
Post # 3

Member
112 posts
Blushing bee
I wouldn’t worry about the rain and plan on the backyard event like you envision it. If a few days before the wedding predicts rain, you can always pick up some super cheap (and cute) umbrellas from the dollar store!
If you both want an outdoor wedding, just do it but have a plan (umbrellas versus a whole other facility). That’s just my opinion though. I got lucky and chose a place that will be outdoors with no rain, but moved indoors if it happens to rain.
Good luck! Hope it doesn’t rain for you!!!
Post # 4

Member
8 posts
Newbee
@kristina12: but what if it does rain??? HARD…
Post # 5

Member
112 posts
Blushing bee
Well, if it were me, and it hadn’t rained in 10 years, I’d put money down that it’s more likely it WON’T than it will. Know what I mean? Just my opinion. 🙂
Post # 6

Member
177 posts
Blushing bee
Texas weather is completely unpredictable but anywhere really is if you choose to have your wedding outside with no back up plan. I would really really think about having it outside. While you may save on cost of having it at your place you really should try to find something where perhaps you can marry outside and then your reception inside that way should it rain you have a back up plan. If there is a VA hall close by that could be cheap option. I had a friend have her reception at one and it was pretty nice she just had to dress up the tables quite a bit.
Get a back up plan girl or you’ll be going nuts in the weeks before checking the weather!
Post # 7

Member
735 posts
Busy bee
As another Texas resident I can understand your worries of HARD rain. Growing up in other parts of the country (and the world) I never saw it rain like it does in Houston.
Is your identified rain venue is nearby? You could always let people know about the potential rain venue in advance – maybe with an invitation insert or on your website. If it’s a downpour kind of day people will know to head right over there. If it’s sunny they’ll go straight to the outdoor venue. If it’s a toss-up (say, a 40% chance of rain, or just looking kind of dark) people might go to the wrong place first – So you’d just need to make sure you had a person or a good sign letting people know that the wedding is at the OTHER venue.