2023 has been an extraordinarily rainy season in Temecula! While rain isn’t something we often worry about, spring brought over twice the amount of rain compared to previous years. And while we’re in a perpetual drought in Southern California, one area where surprise rainy days are not welcome is wedding days!
As a Temecula wedding photographer, my peak season generally runs from May through October, which is the busiest time for weddings in the Temecula Valley. However, many couples opt for weddings earlier in the year and were impacted by this year’s weather. So I thought I would chat with some of my most trusted venues and vendor partners in Temecula to get tips on how they help couples navigate rainy skies!
Brianna Perez l Wedding & Event Sales Manager, Avensole Winery
Avensole Winery offers a memorable, romantic setting all year round. Our updated architecture compliments the scenic natural surroundings of rolling hills and historic vineyards along with our well-manicured vegetation.
Our couples who admire the dormant stages during the winter season, are in for a delicate vineyard setting as budding is expected to take place as early as March. (Typically, the further out from March, the more produced the vines present themselves).
In addition to the delicate setting, couples may experience elements of Mother Nature, while she nurtures our wine county in the form of rain. (Which we consider a sign of good luck on your wedding day!) For these couples, and all Avensole couples, our team provides a calm, organized and seamless wedding! The week of (if rain is expected), we connect and present the available options to allow for structured preparation among all involved.
Since our opening in 2016, we’ve successfully fulfilled and exceeded the expectations of our couples:
“Rain was forecasted the week of our wedding. I reached out to Jessica a few days prior, and she was so reassuring and helpful - she gave us different options to choose from in case it rained, and each one was beautiful. It did end up raining on the day of our wedding, and she and her team moved everything inside per our request and even golf carted us over to where we needed to be when it was time. We are so thankful for Avensole for accommodating us and making our wedding day absolutely perfect. We were so impressed and happy with the results.” – Catherine, married on 2/22/2020
” The day of our wedding it rained IN SEPTEMBER and our wedding ceremony had to be moved indoors. This did not take away from our day at all. The staff made us feel so comfortable and confident that everything was taken care of. They transformed the ballroom from ceremony to reception so fast it did not alter the day of our timeline” – Alicia, married on 9/9/22
Ceremonies are revised to take place in our elegant ballroom, with a mutual understanding for a timely decision. Our team as well as vendors are then able to adapt and remain confident in providing an unforgettable celebration of love.
In the event of a romantic summer storm (when the vineyards are in a prime stage of lush greenery and grape clusters), similar preparations take place. Additionally, the guest count, floorplans and other timeline details are taken into account before confirming modification options.
A Few Tips and Reminders:
Most rentals including tenting typically require a reservation in advance of about 2 weeks.
Flexibility with adjustments is key. Our Venue Coordinators are experienced and well versed in what allows us to put our best foot forward, for you and your guests.
Embrace the day! If one thing is for sure, your moments captured will be nothing short of romantic, unique and memorable!
Take a deep breath, we’re on your side. Our passion is to always provide a seamless celebration with love, empathy and insight.
Samantha Gonzalez l Wedding Planner, Owner of Mrs. G Events
Adjust the wedding timeline: Rain can cause delays, so it's important to adjust the wedding timeline. Allow extra time for transportation, photos, and any outdoor activities. You could also consider having a shorter ceremony.
Have a backup plan: While it's romantic to have a wedding in the rain, it's important to have a backup plan in case of heavy downpours. This could mean renting a tent or moving the ceremony and reception indoors.
Embrace the rain & have a positive attitude: Embrace the moment, stay positive, and focus on enjoying your special day with your loved ones. Rain makes for great photos!
Choose appropriate attire: Rainy weather can mean muddy and wet conditions, so make sure your attire and that of your guests are appropriate. Think about having umbrellas available for everyone or encourage guests to bring their own. It's also a good idea to choose waterproof makeup and hairstyles that can withstand humidity.
Andrew Vasquez | Catering Sales Manager, South Coast Winery
The winter of 2023 brought us more rain than we have seen in a very long time. And although it had so many positive impacts to agriculture and California’s drought, it also brought stress and worry to the wedding industry and its couples this season! When you book a completely outdoor venue, it is the one gamble you make when booking, the dreaded idea that bad weather could sprout up on your wedding day. It is a reasonable concern, and a hefty gamble to make, but here are a few tips to keep in your back pocket should you ever need to use it!
Download a reputable weather app and start looking at weather 3 weeks out.
Make plans early! If you foresee potential for rainy weather while looking through your new app, contact rental tent companies immediately, don’t wait! The closer you get to your wedding date, the higher the cost will be to secure one. Not to mention, other couples in your same boat will be your competition in securing the rental, first come first serve!
Try not to over stress about something that is out of your control. I know, easier said than done. But, the fact of the matter is, we can’t control mother nature. If it rains, it rains, but no matter what, at the end of the day what is most important is the time spent with family and friends and your fiancé. Everything else is secondary.
BONUS TIP: Hire a planner! You never think you need one until you really do! At my venue, we require all our couples we book to hire a planner. We will not move forward in booking a couple who doesn’t commit to hiring a reputable planner to work in conjunction with us on their big day. Why? For all the things you never thought you’d need them for. Especially things that mother nature throws at you.
If you know you’re getting married at a venue that does not have a rain/inclement weather plan B, then make sure you budget a cushion just in case you need to rent in a tent to keep you and your guests dry. This could be a substantial amount, so do a little research or ask your planner what they recommend. The end of last year and the start of this have been very unpredictable as far as rain goes, so to avoid unneeded stress, plan for the unexpected. Best case scenario, you have that extra money you’ve budgeted left over and you can add an extra excursion or an extra night or two onto your honeymoon, or a little more for the down payment on a new home!
We find the best way to deal with rainy weather is to be prepared for it. We keep an eye on the forecast all the way up to the big day. And ask that our party rent a tent for either of our sites, that way you are covered and as dry as possible. Or if we have the availability, we can use one of our ballroom spaces as a backup location!
Courtney McManaway l Owner, Courtney McManaway Photography
Last (but not least of course!) I have my own thoughts on how to deal with rain on your wedding day from a photographic perspective!
As you've seen in the comments above, renting a tent for outdoor venues is a great idea! Many venues have on-site backup space. For instance, I recently photographed a wedding a Monte De Oro Winery and they were able to move the ceremony space indoors and then set up the reception space directly behind that. The team worked seamlessly and while of course it's a bit of a bummer to have rain on your day, the couple and guests were dry and happy! It's important to consider the comfort of your guests in these situations!
I keep clear umbrellas in my trunk so we can get some outdoor shots in the rain. After all, that's something that makes your day unique, so you might as well capture it! I'm also always on the lookout for small periods of time where the sky opens up or the rain stops. It's rare for an entire day to be rained out so keeping an eye on the weather during the day pays off!
I'm always prepared with flash as well! While we are typically blessed with sunny weather in Temecula, if we need to move the weddings indoors I use flash in a number of ways to create beautiful images. While I use on-camera flash during many parts of the reception, I will also use backlit flash or angled flash to create unique images of your day!
Overall the most important thing is to keep a positive attitude and remain flexible! If you've hired professionals to handle your day, then you can rest assured everything will be done to ensure your wedding is beautiful and memorable, no matter the elements!
