How to Prepare for the Weather on Your Elopement Day

Think About Weather When You Are Choosing Your Location

The definition of bad weather will vary from person to person. One person might consider snow bad weather, while another person might love when it snows. One person might dread the heat, while another person craves the hot sunshine. The first step in avoiding "dealbreaker" weather is to begin thinking about what your ideal elopement day is like even before you choose your location.

Are you the kind of person who loves when it's dry and hot? Maybe consider Joshua Tree National Park in California, Moab, Utah, or even Sedona, Arizona. Or are you the kind of person who loves brisk air and isn't worried about the rain? Maybe consider the Pacific Northwest. Do you like cooler temperatures and sunshine? Maybe the Colorado mountains are a good fit for you.

By having an open and honest conversation about the kind of weather you'd like to avoid, you can set yourselves up for the best chance of favorable weather possible.

Choose the Right Time of Year for Your Location

The time of year is going to make a huge impact on the weather in your chosen location. For example, Colorado might be a nightmare for a couple who hates the snow and wants to get married in December. But Colorado might be a dream for that same couple if they want to get married in July.

Sometimes, you will have to decide which is non-negotiable. Either your location or the time of year in which you get married.

For example, say you and your partner have both agreed that you want to get married in Colorado, and you are hoping for warm weather with no chance of snow so you can do some hiking. To give you the best chance of favorable weather, we would suggest eloping in July or August. But what if you and your partner want warm weather, with no chance of snow, but you can only get time off of work in January? Colorado is no longer going to be a good option for you. Instead, we would work with you to brainstorm some other ideas.

Are you flexible about the kind of location you want to get married in? Maybe look into San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The weather will be perfect in January, and it is surprisingly not too humid there. Or do you have your hearts set on mountains? Consider Kauai, Hawaii, or let's head to the Southern Hemisphere and explore Cradle Mountain National Park in Tasmania.

Being flexible when planning your elopement will allow you to really take weather into consideration and help set yourselves up for the most comfortable elopement day possible! Beyond temperatures, it is important to pay attention to your location's rainy season. Even if you're down to play in the rain, we recommend avoiding seasons with heavy rain. For example, many locations in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, have pronounced rainy seasons (also called monsoon season) that should be avoided, if possible.

How to Prepare for Bad Weather

So you've taken the time to research different elopement location options, and you've finally agreed on a location that checks all of your boxes. You should be in the clear, right? Hopefully, but not necessarily.

Weather does what weather wants, and it's up to you to be prepared for whatever it throws at you. By having the proper gear and clothing, relax knowing that no matter what happens, you are ready for it.

Emergency Packing List for Every Elopement

No matter where you choose to elope, there are a few things you should consider bringing with you that could end up saving the day.

• Waterproof Jacket

• Warm Sweater or Jacket

• A Pair of Light Gloves

• Hiking Boots for Hiking in Mud or on Difficult Terrain

• Small, Packable Umbrella

• Water Bottle or Camelback

• Sunscreen

• Bug Spray

What if it’s Hotter than Expected?

Say a heat wave comes through on your wedding day. On days that the heat will make it impossible to enjoy the outdoors, we work with our couples to create a second timeline that allows us to avoid the heat of the day. Typically, this would mean starting the day earlier, at sunrise, if possible. Not only would that allow us to take advantage of gorgeous sunrise light, but it would also allow us to get your ceremony and some exploring in before it gets too hot. We could also adjust locations, if necessary. Maybe there's a shaded forest area nearby that we could stop at, or maybe there's a nearby swimming hole that we could dip our feet into. One important thing to think about for hot days is making sure you have enough water. We recommend everyone (including any guests you might have) to have plenty of water so no one gets dehydrated.

What if it’s Colder than Expected?

Depending on the location and time of day you choose for your elopement, there is a high chance that it will be at least a little chilly at some point on your wedding day. This could be because you are up hiking to get to the end of a trail by sunrise, or you are hiking back to the trailhead after sunset. Because of this, we always recommend having some warm clothes to put over your wedding clothes. These don't have to be “photo-worthy” but they should be waterproof and enough to keep you warm if it's windy.

If you are looking at the forecast and see that a cold front is coming in, there are a few things you can do! The first is to pack some warm socks for your hiking boots, a pair of gloves, and maybe even a hat for the hike back down. If you or your partner plan on wearing a dress, we suggest buying a jacket or wrap that you are comfortable being photographed in, just in case it's too cold to wear the dress alone. Tights or leggings can also be a lifesaver when worn under a dress. Nude or white leggings can be worn without worrying about how it looks under a dress. Hand warmers and adhesive body warmers can also make a world of a difference!

If it's just a little chilly, the elopement can usually go as planned, particularly if everyone (including your guests) has clothes to layer up with. If it is unbearably cold, we can discuss some possible backup options, such as going to a location that doesn't require a hike, making frequent trips to the car to warm up, or moving outdoor ceremonies indoors.

What if it Rains?

Many of our couples worry about rain on their wedding day. It's probably the most common type of weather we've experienced throughout our time as elopement photographers and videographers. Because of this, we have chosen equipment specifically for its ability to withstand some rain. We also always travel with covers for our equipment in case the rain is really coming down. So unless the weather conditions are unsafe (flood warnings, lightning, or hail), we are always game to brave the rain!

Some locations, such as the mountains in Colorado, are known for their afternoon thunderstorms in the summer. These usually come through pretty quickly and can usually be waited out. But for this reason, we will suggest that our couples get married in the morning before the storm rolls in, or in the evening after the storms have moved on.

If rain is in your wedding day forecast, we suggest making sure you (and your guests) bring a waterproof jacket and boots, as well as have a supply of clear plastic umbrellas. These umbrellas are perfect to use during your ceremony because they don't detract from your location, but they will keep everyone as dry as possible.

Don’t Panic Over the Forecast

There's no doubt that you will be watching the forecast like a hawk as your wedding day approaches. But it's important to know that many locations (such as Colorado, Isle of Skye, Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, or Iceland) are known for having untrustworthy forecasts. If you're still a couple of weeks out, there is a high chance that the weather will change a few times before your elopement day. So don't panic if the forecast isn't looking ideal.

This is a good time to make sure you are prepared. Do you have everything on the emergency list? Do you need to buy some precautionary umbrellas for your guests? Do we need to start discussing a Plan B timeline for the day? All of these things are easy to do and should give you some peace of mind.

Keep a Positive Mindset

We'll admit, it can be disappointing when the weather doesn't cooperate with the vision you've set for your elopement. But it doesn't have to ruin the day. Preparing yourself in advance and bringing the proper clothing and emergency items (such as umbrellas and warm clothes) will help alleviate stress and allow you to experience your elopement day to its fullest, regardless of the weather! Remember, no matter what happens, you will still get married and you will have amazing stories to tell.

We can't control the weather, but we can control how we respond to it. When you decide to have an adventure elopement, it is important to embrace that nature doesn't always cooperate.

We've said it before, but we'll say it again: Flexibility is key for an adventure elopement. For many of our elopements in fickle locations, we will automatically create a Plan A timeline as well as a Plan B timeline for the day. The Plan B location will prepare us for unfavorable weather and often avoid long hikes. That way everyone knows what to expect no matter what nature provides for us!

With all of this in mind, hopefully you’ve got a good idea of how to plan for a best case scenario. There are definitely ways to set yourself up for your own best case scenario and always aim for those. Then, if mother nature decides to switch things up a little, take comfort in knowing that it’s all just part of the adventure. Your elopement day will be gorgeous and fulfilling no matter what if you come prepared and embrace the unknowns.

 Are you ready to start your elopement adventure?

We’re Lisa + Alex (those goofballs in the photo above). We specialize in elopement photography and videography, and we are passionate about giving our couples the most incredible wedding day possible. We work closely with each of our couples to offer location options, vendor recommendations, and fun ideas to personalize their wedding day.

Each couple who books with us will receive their own, collaborative Elopement Planning Portal. We know that planning your elopement can seem overwhelming, but we’re here to make the planning process easy and fun.