No matter how much we love rain, very few of us may like it to rain on our wedding day. It gets us and the guests, dressed in some of the finest clothes we will ever wear, wet and dampens the mood. But humankind has yet to figure out a way to control the weather. So, rain is a reality we must contend with, especially if we are getting married in the monsoon season. How can we do that? This article presents a few ideas.
First off, the venue obviously has to be indoors. The internet will tell you that some people have made outdoor venues work during the rain (in fact, their gorgeous wedding photos show that they thrived), but not everyone can.
So, it is best to go the safe route and get married inside. You would not want your guests to have to frantically run for cover if it rains. In monsoon, rains are an inevitability rather than a possibility.
But, if you are adamant that you want an outdoor function, make sure to choose a convertible venue. Keep the sky open and have the gods witness your matrimony when it is clear, but as soon as it rains, pull the covers to ensure dryness.
You will also have to pay attention to the decorations. Since rains often come accompanied by wind, do not put up lightweight decorative items that can get blown away easily or secure them firmly in place. If you are thinking of putting up flowers, go for plastic ones. Doesn’t sound very romantic but real flowers spoil very fast in the rain. Also, paper decorations are a huge no-no. One drop of water and they cockle, warp and fall off.
Needless to say, you have to be careful with electrical wiring too. When putting up lights, make sure that there are no exposed wires and the sockets are not in any place that can get wet. It doesn’t take much to cause an accident and we should not have our big day to be marked by any mishap.
What we wear should also be in line with the weather. So, brides and grooms getting married this rainy season, go with breathable fabric like silk or chiffon that will not get ruined by rainwater. Also, beware of the humidity. You will be surrounded by people with a thousand things running through your mind and, depending on your religious and cultural background, sitting in front of a fire. So, you will sweat. That is why light breathable clothes are so important. If possible, the sweatier ones among us may choose to wear sweat patches to prevent pit stains.
You may also want to avoid going overboard with the accessories. The more you put on your body, the more you will sweat. Things like jewellery also do not dry quickly so, if you get wet, you will stay wet for a long time because of them. It is not a coincidence that monsoon and minimalism share a common first letter.
The humidity can also totally destroy your hairstyle. So, it might be best to go for a stylish bun rather than leaving your locks loose, unless you intend to have a frizzy look in the photos.
For makeup, it goes without saying that the marrying couple must use waterproof cosmetics because normal ones become runny when wet (from the rain or the sweat).
Moving on to photos, this is where getting wet is actually preferred. Rain adds romance and playfulness. (Why do you think Bollywood shoots its love songs in downpours? You will need a very skilled photographer who will undoubtedly charge more but it will be worth it. Only puppies and babies are cuter than a couple in love under the rain.
Also, hear us out, rain dance! Get your friends and family to shake their hips in their drizzle. They will remember the fun for a long time. And, who knows, maybe the rain brings a couple of your single peers together and you get to set up another monsoon wedding in a few years.
Make sure no one gets diarrhoea though. So, ask your catering service to avoid uncooked food like salads. Raw fruits and vegetables increase the chances of diseases.
Instead, prioritise warm things like soups to counter the cool weather. A live counter that cooks momos, prepares tea or coffee or makes sweets in front of the guests will be a huge hit.
When prepared for, monsoon weddings can be an absolute delight for everyone involved.