Rain Plans & Heat Waves: What We Really Do When Summer Weather Hits

There’s something truly magical about a summer wedding — the golden sunsets, the garden blooms, the outdoor vows. But let’s be real: with all that beauty comes one major wildcard… the weather.

At Events by Ellie Bean, we’ve seen it all. Sudden downpours. 100-degree heat. Wind gusts that send decor flying. And while Pinterest may not show the behind-the-scenes scramble, we live for it. Because a smooth wedding day isn’t about perfect weather — it’s about having a damn good plan in place when Mother Nature throws a curveball.

Here’s how we prepare (and adapt!) when summer skies don’t play nice:

☀️ When It’s Scorching Hot

Heat isn’t just uncomfortable — it can affect everything from the timeline to the health of your guests. Here’s what we do:

• Adjust timelines to avoid the hottest part of the day, even if that means moving your ceremony up 30 minutes to spare your guests (and your bridal party!) from melting.

• Advocate for hydration stations — we always remind couples to include water stations, iced drinks, and shaded lounges if there’s no indoor option.

• Pack our emergency kits with fans, cooling towels, blotting sheets, sunscreen, and extra deodorant (because yes, you’ll need it).

• Check in with vendors about heat-sensitive items — like florals, cakes, and equipment — to make sure everyone’s prepped to pivot if needed.

🌧️ When It’s Suddenly Raining

We don’t wait for the weather app to say 100% before making a call. We:

• Always request a Plan B setup from venues in advance. Whether it’s a tent, indoor space, or reworking the ceremony layout, we’re not afraid to shift gears early if needed.

• Communicate with your entire vendor team to make sure setup, sound, and decor can all move quickly and efficiently.

• Rehearse under pressure. If there’s a chance of rain on rehearsal night, we run the alternate plan. No guesswork on wedding day — just action.

• Keep your guests informed. We love when couples include a quick note on their website or programs letting guests know what to expect.

💨 When It’s Windy, Stormy, or Just...Chaotic

Midwestern summers don’t mess around. We’ve:

• Re-tied ceremony arches that tried to fly away

• Secured centerpieces in 40mph wind gusts

• Moved entire dinner setups indoors mid-storm

• Managed candle-heavy decor in wind-prone areas

We don’t panic. We problem-solve. And most of the time, couples don’t even know how close their wedding came to a weather meltdown — because we’re already on it.

🧠 Bottom Line: Plan Early, Stay Flexible, Trust Your Team

We build time into the schedule for adjustments. We create dual timelines when needed. We call your vendors ahead of time. And we show up with our clipboards, umbrellas, and calm energy ready to roll with whatever the sky decides to throw at us.

Your wedding will still be stunning — even if it’s not exactly what you envisioned. Because with the right team, the magic doesn’t melt, blow away, or wash out. It just shifts. ✨

Want to talk through your summer wedding plan? We're booking now through 2026 — and we’re ready for sunshine and surprises!