Whether THE WEATHER

Good or bad, weather can have a big impact on your wedding day, but with a little preparation, you can avoid disappointment in the event of any unexpected weather.


Warm Weather


  1. Don’t get ready too early. If your wedding venue doesn’t have air conditioning you won’t want to be hanging around too long in your makeup and dress.
  2. Carry blotting tissues. These can usually be found at your local pharmacy or makeup supplier and help control shiny areas on your face (especially your T-zone) if you’re prone to sweating in warm weather. You’ll want to keep your face shine-free for your photos.
  3. Don’t use perfume. Perfume can make you feel sticky and also attracts mosquitos and other biting critters. Don’t use perfume. Perfume can make you feel sticky and also attracts mosquitos and other biting critters.
  4. Always have water on hand. Don’t let yourself get dehydrated.
  5. A pretty umbrella can double up for rain or extreme sunshine. Shading yourself now and again will help avoid sweating and sunburn.
  6. Use a foundation with SPF.
  7. Choose an updo for your hair to keep it cooler on your wedding day.
  8. Don’t drink too much too early. Keep the champagne to a minimum before your ceremony. The heat will make you feel intoxicated and become dehydrated quicker.
  9. Always try to ensure your back is to the sun for photos. Squinting is not a good look!


Cold and wet conditions


  1. If you’re wearing heels, have a second pair of flats ready to take with you outside. Preferably waterproof. It’ll make walking in the soft, wet ground easier.
  2. Carry a wrap, cardigan, or jacket. Even just for those few minutes you walk from location to location.
  3. Hot packs or disposable hand/foot warmers are handy to have stashed in your pocket. Our hands are the first to go blue in the cold and it can be noticeable in photos.
  4. Always carry a pocket-sized pack of tissues. Sometimes the cold or wind can make your eyes and nose water.
  5. Wear waterproof mascara, especially in the rainier months
  6. Grooms should wear a bit of lip moisturiser. If only for your wedding portraits. Our lips tend to dry out easier in the cold and windy conditions.
  7. Moisturise. Not just your lips but also your hands.
  8. Before heading out for portraits, grab a hot drink. It will help. If possible, have a bridesmaid or groomsmen tag along during your portraits with a couple of flasks of hot cocoa! It will help keep you going.
  9. Accept it’s going to be cold. Smile like it’s summer, keep your bodies close to maximise heat, and go for it. It might be cold out but you can still get amazing photos!
  10. Always have an emergency umbrella. It may not be used but it’s better to have one, just in case. Make sure to get a pretty one that matches

outdoor ceremonies and poor weather


  1. Allow enough time between your ceremony and dinner, in case you need to push the ceremony back to wait for any rain to pass. Make sure the celebrant marrying you is flexible on timing and doesn’t have any other commitments for this reason.
  2. Prepare your guests for an outdoor wedding ceremony. Even in the summer, it can be chilly, so make sure your guests know they will be sitting outside.
  3. Have enough umbrellas handy in case it rains or if the sun is too intense. Either provide enough for each guest/couple or make a note in your invitation for them to be prepared with their own.
  4. It’s a nice gesture to consider your guests might be cold sitting outside. Provide some blankets for them to use.
  5. Have a short ceremony. If the weather is bad, you and your guests will appreciate a shorter service.
  6. If it’s too wet for guests to sit on chairs then just ditch them. Guests shouldn’t mind standing if it’s a short ceremony. You can make it more unique and have them gather in a circle around you.
  7. Advise ladies to bring a pair of flat shoes. If the ground is soft and wet it will be a good idea for ladies in heels to change into flats or rain boots for the ceremony.
  8. Consider a shorter wedding dress. Long dresses are more likely to get dirty if the ground is wet.
  9. Serve warm beverages to your guests as they arrive at the ceremony location, if it’s chilly.
  10. Look for sheltered spots. Have an outdoor back up location, in case the weather is bad. Wooded areas with tall trees or a large porch would make for a good alternative.