Did you know Rumplestiltskin was a wedding planner? He traveled throughout the land, solving problems. Not BIG problems, more like medium-sized problems that might affect one’s entire life, like rain at an inconvenient time. For example, rain before a parade – not good, all the muck and the mire. Ducks on parade, that might work. But his specialty was rain on your wedding day. Yes, that one most important day and the monsoon comes, disaster!
No need to despair! As any wedding planner can tell you, rain is good luck! Yes, a wet knot they say is hard to untie and what else are you doing, but tying “The Knot”? Rumplestiltskin was also fond of telling the anxious bride-to-be that rain drops were in fact the last tears she would ever shed in her life — whew, what a relief!
“Alright, that’s all very well, but it’s going to rain! What shall I do?”
“Why not go inside?”
“But I’m planning an outdoor wedding? Hundreds of guests. We’ll be drowned!”
“No hay problema!” Excuse me, no problem. You know you’ve planned ahead for every important thing and you know you’ve planned ahead for this. You can’t control if it rains or not but you were ready if it does. You’ve already consulted with your venue planner and he/she has various options. First have an alternate location ready if you’re willing to go inside. If not, get a tent. No, not an old Army tent. Get a BIG tent. Think plastic, with a big transparent roof. You can see and hear the raindrops falling, making soft pattering romantic sounds overhead. Jolly, optimistic Rumplestiltskin recommends the tent also have see-through walls and large windows, plus a heater to chase away the damp and cold.
Now, if the wedding takes place in a building where weddings may take place, have the great tent nearby, so guests may walk to the tent. Of course if the rain is coming down, the guests, the wedding party, family and bystanders will have to walk in the rain. Not to worry, we have bubble umbrellas! You know, the see-thru kind that covers the head and shoulders. There are even extra large see-thru umbrellas that will shelter two people kissing. Que cosa! You don’t see that everyday. Of course there is one thing we must absolutely protect: the bride’s dress and train (if any). Rumplestiltskin says his wife wore a bridal petticoat against the damp and she sprayed the hem of her gown/train with Scotch Guard, or something like that. And, she had two little nieces in raincoats to hold up the train. If this sounds like a lot of bother, just wear a shorter dress.
What else? Locate vendors who will sell props to repair the time and memories to follow the day. Large cotton towels come in handy. Have dark, “stormy” cocktails to lift the spirits, pashminas, throws. Naturally, you can’t have too many bubble umbrellas. Here’s a noble idea, bridal boots! Think muck boots, sea boots, farmer’s boots but classier, stylish and above all tall and waterproof. And oh, yes, don’t forget ponchos, lots of ponchos.
Learn to want rain, make it serve your day. Rain will do several things to charm the event. It creates a soft, clear light for more intriguing photos. Flowers last longer than in the in dry daylight. The mood of the weather can create a camaraderie among the guests as they huddle together under the shelter of the tent. The rain freshens the air, suppressing air borne pollen.
Last of all, the rain polishes memories that can be shared with grandchildren. Imagine the stories that can be told of the day that Granny and Popop got married and the heavens opened up. Make the weather your friend.
