Credit: Helen Warner Photography
There is a huge amount involved in planning a wedding, but without doubt the question I am asked more than any other is: what happens if it rains?
There are certainly plenty of superstitions designed to keep the rain away. The most common is burying a raw sausage in the ground the night before the wedding. Other traditions include chanting or singing for sunshine or even investing in a “good weather spell” for the day (available on Etsy — yes, really).
However, as there is no scientific evidence to suggest any of these schemes actually work, the only sensible option is to have a watertight (excuse the pun) wet weather contingency plan.
At Bignor Park our licensed ceremony area is outdoors, so we work with four approved marquee companies who offer a helpful “peace of mind” option. Here’s how it works:
You book your preferred marquee in advance and pay a 50% non-refundable deposit to secure it. Then, during the week of the wedding (usually on the Tuesday), you decide whether to go ahead. If the forecast looks unsettled, you simply pay the remaining balance and enjoy the reassurance of covered space. If the weather is looking kind, you can cancel the rest of the order and enjoy an open-air ceremony and drinks reception instead.
Think of it as an insurance policy against the unpredictable British weather.
In reality, torrential rain for an entire wedding day is extremely unusual. Since my first season in 2011, I have kept a tally and counted just 12 weddings where rain genuinely affected plans on the day — approximately 7%. Of those, only four experienced relentless rain from start to finish, which is roughly 2.5%.
So, while the probability of a very wet wedding day is relatively small, the possibility should never be ignored.
At Annabel and Simon’s wedding in June 2025, the rain arrived in truly biblical fashion and became a very uninvited guest. Thankfully, the wet weather contingency plan swung into action: cue a fabulous atmosphere, flowing drinks, and Dunkirk spirit in abundance. Despite the downpour, it was a truly memorable day for all the right reasons — and nowhere near as ironic as Alanis Morissette may have implied in her song.
In fact, wedding day rain is widely considered a symbol of fertility, cleansing, and a strong, lasting marriage — after all, a wet knot is harder to untie.
Ultimately, the weather simply becomes part of your unique and personal wedding story. And perhaps a little rain provides the sparkle that sunshine forgot to bring.
Marquee suppliers offering the peace of mind deal:
Tents N Events – www.tentsnevents.co.uk
South Downs Marquees – www.southdownsmarqueehire.co.uk
Great British Stretch Tents – www.greatbritishstretchtents.co.uk
Arundel Marquees: www.arundelmarquees.co.uk
Louise Hartley
To find out more about Bignor Park or Weddings at Bignor Park please contact us.