umbrellas - do we have to provide or is it too tacky to ask guests to bring their own??

I'd go with the backup plan if there is rain. No one will be able to see the ceremony from the back trying to look through a sea of umbrellas.

If it's raining, move it inside.

Yea, honestly, I think it's tacky. Even if you bought umbrellas would that work- people sitting next to each other with umbrellas? And wouldn't the ground get wet- is it dirt or grass? Let alone people being able to see you during the ceremony through the sea of umbrellas...I think if your having anything outdoors you should have a tent or be really willing to do your backup plan. There are so many things that could go wrong with the weather- why I didn't even try to do an outdoor wedding.

Have you considered that it will be really miserable for your guests to be standing out in the rain. Even with umbrellas, their dressy shoes will get wet, you may need to wipe down the seats, and umbrellas will block the views of others. If possible, I would highly recommend having a back up plan or indoor option if it rains since you don't want to tent.

Lol me and Julia on the same page with "sea of umbrellas"

Umbrellas or not, I really don't want to sit in the rain getting dripped on for half an hour in my nice clothes. And I'd be pretty upset if I got to a wedding and saw that a tent had been provided to keep the bridal party dry but no cares were given for my comfort.

You are only going to provide a tent for the bridal party??? That seems weird. You need a back up plan. No one wants to sit out in the rain, even with an umbrella- ella- ella-a-a-a (sorry, I had too!)

You need an alternative idea. i can tell you that if any couple expected me to stand in the rain for their wedding they would be greatly surprised. If you invite guests you take care of them and if it is raining you don't expect them to stand in the rain, even with an umbrella.

I agree with the ladies above me. If it rains, move it in. People will be less grumpy and they will be able to see and hear everything. I know it sucks to change things last minute but you want your guests to be in a good mood.

Just no. You do not make people stand outside in the rain for your ceremony. Just stop now.

I wouldn't call it "tacky," but it is inconsiderate. Your guests will not be able to enjoy your ceremony while they're getting soaked. They will just be praying for it to end. And then they have to be in wet dress clothes for the rest of the night.

I mentioned on my website that we are having an outdoor ceremony so people should dress accordingly. But, if it rains, we will move it indoors.

Under your current plan, I would count on several no shows if it does rain. Who wants to sit in the rain holding an umbrella during a wedding? Not many people.

If it rains, you can't have it outside. Why is that even a thought??

Why would you want to even get married in the rain? I don't want there to be any chance of my hair, make up, shoes, or dress getting wet. I would strongly recommend a back up plan.

If you want the possibility of having it outside in *light* rain, you need a tent. Our plan was to hold our wedding outside with no tent provided the weather was nice, use a tent (that we luckily already owned) if it was sprinkling, and move the whole thing inside if it was raining any harder than that. I'll admit I wouldn't have been willing to give up on the outdoor ceremony I wanted if it was only a very light rain and we would have tried our best to make it work (luckily it was perfect weather in the end) but if it's more than misting you need to move things indoors.

The issue with trying to do umbrellas instead of a tent is that not only does it block peoples views but it also doesn't really keep things dry. People will have to sit on wet seats, walk on wet ground, etc. It only covers the people themselves and that doesn't really fix the problem.

Yeah, if I was invited to that event and a downpour erupted the morning of, I probably wouldn't go if I knew I'd have to suck it up with an umbrella. Not worth it. Sorry. Only your mom loves you that much.

Ok ok. looking into alternatives.. thanks.

A cousin of mine had a wedding and it only rained during their ceremony! As soon as the reception started (which we moved inside for) it stopped