What is Your Plan B?

We are called the Valley of the Sun for a reason. On average, Phoenix has over 300 days of sunshine each year according to www.currentresults.com. So naturally you’ve fallen in love with a beautiful outdoor wedding venue space for your wedding ceremony and/or reception. There are so many amazingly beautiful outdoor wedding venues in Arizona. What’s not to love? Perhaps, Plan B…

(pc: Pop the Cork Productions) Top to Bottom: Mountain Shadows ceremony lawn, Mountain Shadows reception deck with view of Camelback Mountain

Considering Your Options

We know you don’t like to think about it, because it’s almost always sunny in Arizona. But then the week of your wedding, Mother Nature makes a rude appearance with an unexpected forecast for rain…now what?

If you’ve hired a wedding planner, you’ve likely got a Plan B ready to implement and you are comfortable with it. Of course, it’s not your exact dream but it will still be fabulous. If you don’t have a planner, you may not have considered what to do in case of inclement weather.

When searching for your perfect wedding venue, we highly recommend that you ask to see the back up location(s). You need to know which indoor/covered spaces that you will get moved to in case of inclement weather. Often this will be a ballroom (or section of one). It could also mean you’ll have to arrange for a tent, paying thousands that aren’t in your budget. Or you may be required to hold your ceremony and reception in the same space. Your guests could be seated at their dining tables to watch your ceremony on the dance floor. You don’t want to be caught off guard on your wedding day, or even the week leading up to it. By this time, family is flying in to be with you and emotions are running high.

(pc: Laura Segall Photography) Top to Bottom: Private Residence Backyard Wedding in Fountain Hills by Pop the Cork Productions – Plan A…Before the storm…Plan B…After the storm (a beautiful ending)

Back-up Locations

Be sure to inquire when touring wedding venues as to what their back up locations are, if there are any additional costs involved and when a decision has to be made whether your group will be moved or not. Inclement weather might also require you to provide portable heaters or shade umbrellas which can also be additional expenses.

We don’t mean to put a damper on your wedding planning but it’s always better to know up front and be prepared. Chances are in Arizona, you’re in the clear. Remember at the end of the day, if you marry the love of your life, your dream did come true.

(cover image pc: Grand Hyatt Scottsdale by Annie Randall Photography)