pnw June or August Wedding?

If it’s taking place outdoors I would rather mid June unless you’re going to have outdoor air conditioning.

Are you not from the area or familiar with it? I’ve lived in various places around the PNW for about 15 years and I can verify that the chance of rain in June is significantly higher. I live in Seattle now and it’s been raining the last few days, and my friend in Portland reported that it’s been the same there. It’s like this every year, so locals call it “Junuary”.


I think the chance of rain in June is higher than the chance of event-interrupting wildfire in August, although I’m sure you can double check that somewhere. However, either option sounds fine since you have an indoor space to deal with rain in June or heat in August.

Before we had "wildfire season" so predictably ( ), I would have said August, for the lower chance of rain and more of a summer feel (summer doesn't start in the PNW until July 4th!). But now that we can pretty much plan for wildfire smoke to impact us in August, I would rather deal with rain than smoke and choose June.

Edited to add: My sister got married in Stevenson (I am assuming at the same venue you are using, which is gorgeous!), in mid-May and it was cold, cloudy, and very windy. The ceremony was outdoors (no rain) and the reception indoors. We all look *freezing* in the wedding photos. I think as long as you accept that you can't control the weather and there is a good backup rain plan, you will be fine. The location is so beautiful and cloudy/rainy weather is definitely better than smoke.

View Quoted Comment Wow! I’m from the East Coast, I didn’t know the weather was so volatile out there

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PNW weather is truly my favorite weather. It's never boring, with beautiful skies, more sunshine than people think, and all that lovely rain to keep the air clean and everything green. Sadly, wildfires are now a part of the "norm", though, so we can't ignore that when planning late summer outdoor events.

View Quoted Comment It is indoor / outdoor with fans (no A/C)

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Such a tough call! I am leaning towards August because fire seems less predictable than rain. So tough though.

Oh my goodness! Is your venue Skamania Lodge by chance? Because we are getting married there in just 16 days!


As for your dilemma, I would go with June as an overcast, potentially raining day makes for beautiful lighting for photos. I would also rather plan for rain than having to cancel because of wildfires. Seeing as we are getting married in the PNW in March, rain is almost a given. I just invested in some cute, clear bubble umbrellas and will be hoping for the best.