It’s probably one of the big things on your mind when you start dreaming about your special day – especially if you’ve opted for a celebration with a gorgeous, outdoor ceremony, surrounded by nature. 

What on earth are you going to do if it rains on your wedding day? We wanted to bring this blog together to give you some peace of mind and how to come up with a contingency plan alongside your venue, in case Mother Nature has other plans.

Symbolism

Now first of all, although a heavy downpour is understandably the last thing that you’d be wishing for when you’re about to say the all-important “I do” – it could also be a really good omen. Many cultures around the world believe that having rain on your wedding day will actually bring good luck for your marriage. For examples, throughout history, rain has been known to represent many different things, such as:

Fertility – This one seems to be an obvious choice. Water feeds the ground which ultimately leads to the creation of plants and vegetation. 

Cleansing – Water is thought to wash away and cleanse us of sadness and things in the past that we’d rather forget.

Unity – Hindus believe that if you “tie the knot” on a rainy day, your marriage will be just as hard to unravel as a knot that becomes wet. 

Whilst you’re able to plan for so many things on your wedding day, the weather is something that none of us have any control over. And as it might even be a sign of good things to come, we recommend embracing whatever the forecast ends up being – a drizzle, a downpour, or somewhere in the middle. And actually, it can result in some really glorious photo opportunities too. Who doesn’t love a funky umbrella and a snazzy pair of welly boots?

Location Options

Kilminorth is an excellent choice for a wet weather wedding, as it boasts a wide range of licensed locations around the grounds. We have so many brilliant backup options, so come rain or shine, you are guaranteed to still have that perfect moment at the altar.

The wooden Chy Hos (Duck House) is set on the hillside, in what was once the old duck pond, long since dried. This newly landscaped area is surrounded by trees and old Cornish dry stone walls. It’s truly picture perfect! 

We actually have a backup plan with the Chy Hos – a waterproof cover that can be hired from one of our trusted suppliers, to cover the ceremony area and your guests in the event of a light shower, as you can see in the image above. We recommend setting aside a small budget for wet weather solutions like this, and we can talk you through what this looks like during your wedding viewing.

Beyond this, our stunning marquee and several of our cottages are also fully licensed so if it’s absolutely torrential, we can still ensure you have a wedding day to remember. As a reminder, our couples have access to our entire 32 acre estate that houses an orchard, wild meadows, enchanting woods, beautifully landscaped gardens and a cluster of quaint, Cornish holiday cottages. This is another great benefit to getting hitched at Kilminorth. Even on a rainy day, your guests will already be on-site – just a stone’s throw away from the ceremony location.

Questions to ask your venue

So, what five key questions could you ask when visiting your potential wedding venue and you’re worried about the rain?

1. What ceremony locations do you have available that are covered, and where would the ceremony be held if rain halts play on the big day?
2. Do you provide umbrellas or welly boots for guests if the weather is really bad on the day, or can you recommend any suppliers that do?
3. How can we still ensure that our wedding runs smoothly in the event of bad weather? Will the team be on hand to support us with this?
4. If it’s going to be raining on our wedding day, so what photographic opportunities are there to embrace this? Think stunning backdrops and splashing in the puddles. Honestly, a bit of rain never hurt anyone, and the photos can be incredible.
5. What tips do you have for keeping guests warm on the day, in the event of cold and rainy weather?

Just remember, rain on the wedding day itself doesn’t mean you won’t still have a magical experience. With a good bit of pre-planning and some backup solutions, plus a supportive venue, it can still be a glorious day surrounded by your nearest and dearest.

Let’s face it, we all know that there’s nothing quite as unpredictable as the Great British Weather, so bring out the brollies if you must, but be sure to dance in the rain…

If you’d like to come and take a look around the grounds and have a chat with the team at Kilminorth then send us an email or call to arrange a viewing. We can’t wait to help you plan your dream day.