Let’s face it, if you are planning a Montana wedding, the weather can be unpredictable. For couples and venues, this unpredictability can be stressful. Before signing on the dotted line, make sure to ask your venue contact for some real life examples of how they have handled situations like lightning warnings, snow and ice storms, and wildfires. What is their emergency plan?

This is one area where experience definitely counts.

3.  Ask your photographer and videographer in the consultation for examples of rainy day weddings.

Just like venues, it’s ideal to select a photographer and videographer with experience with less than ideal weather situations. Capturing all of the moments of your wedding day beautifully is already a fast paced process. Mix in a new photographer (especially without a qualified second shooter) and a chance of rain, and stress cracks can show quickly.

When examining a photographers or videographers portfolio ask for examples of indoor and rainy day photography. Do they know how to position couples indoors to take advance of outdoor light shining in? Do they have a great handle on flash or off camera lighting if it becomes necessary?

It’s best not to just look at outdoor natural lighting examples when selecting your vendors. Ask (nicely of course), for examples of situations where the lighting and location was less than ideal. A great photographer or videographer can literally make any situation work.

2. Don’t be afraid to get a little wet.

Be prepared with a cute and warm cover-up or coat. Montana is known for quickly changing weather so sometimes it’s nice to have a contingency plan. Knowing what you will do in case of a little rain, snow or chilly temps, can help with the wedding day stress, too. We recommend purchasing a cover-up that will help keep you warm during and in between photos and a true professional photographer will know how to pull the whole look together no matter the current weather pattern. Another tip: We’ve seen some couples provide blankets or umbrellas for guests during the ceremony, too! Some of our local vendors offer them as a rental item.

Bring an extra pair of shoes (especially if yours are designer) and get outside as soon as there is a break in the rain! Lucky, even on rainy days Mother Nature usually takes a break for a bit.

Check with your photographer, videographer, or venue to see if they have any pretty umbrellas you can use. If not, we think these are a pretty great option available on Amazon.

1. Don’t worry about what you can’t control. 

In the end, there are things in the wedding planning process that you can’t control – and weather is definitely one of them.

Make informed choices in the planning process about “what happens in case of rain” – and then don’t worry about what you can’t control on your wedding day. Just relax and make the most of one of the most memorable days of your lives. At the end of the day you’ll be married and that’s what’s important.