If you don’t like the weather in Texas, stick around another day. Weather changes here have long been the source of jokes and Facebook fodder. However, when it comes to wedding planning, the ever-changing Texas weather can be a variable that greatly impacts your special day, for better or worse. It’s good to be prepared, just in case.

Outdoor venue

If you choose to exchange your vows at an outdoor venue, there are a few tips you can follow to stay ahead of the weather.

Watch the forecast

There’s no sense worrying yourself sick about the weather early on in the planning stages. Try as they might, Texas weather forecasters are not always right. You can look ahead as early as ten days to see if inclement weather is on the horizon. Keep an eye on it. If there’s a chance of rain, create a contingency plan.

Create a contingency plan

The contingency plan for your wedding should include:

  • An alternative for the ceremony and/or reception. It could be a nearby indoor venue or rented tents that cover you and your guests while you celebrate.
  • Directions for your guests and vendors to the alternate venue
  • An updated schedule with time changes to your vendors (caterer, photographer, DJ, chauffeur, etc) to allow for a slight weather delay so your guests have time to travel from one place to another
  • Umbrellas and/or rain boots for your wedding party can be a colorful, fun way to embrace a rainy day

Indoor venue


Even if you aren’t planning to have an outdoor wedding, you will probably want to watch the forecast. The primary weather concern for brides planning an indoor wedding is getting from one place to another without ruining your hair, makeup, dress or shoes. The same holds true for the rest of your wedding party. In case of a rainy day, here are some options to keep everybody dry as they travel from one place to another.

Garment bags

Transport the tuxedos and dresses to the church in plastic or nylon garment bags to keep them dry. Have the wedding party get dressed at the venue, if possible, to keep the formal attire clean and dry on the way.

Oversized ponchos


If the venue will not allow wardrobe changes or does not have a space to change on location, you can find inexpensive rain ponchos in the outdoors section of a store like Target, Wal-Mart or Academy. More often than not they are big enough to fit over your clothes, will keep you dry from the car into the venue, and are disposable.

Umbrellas and rain boots

Up until this point the only suggestions have been for you and your wedding party. You might want to consider your guests, too. One fun idea is to have colorfully themed umbrellas and rain boots for your ushers to use to escort guests from their cars inside to the ceremony.

Also, if your dress or train are too big to fit underneath a rain poncho, you’ll want an entire squad of helpers ready with umbrellas to cover you as you walk inside to say, “I do”.


Rain on your wedding day is considered a blessing in many cultures. Embrace the adventure and plan ahead!