You can plan a pretty picnic……but you can’t predict the weather, says the one and only Outkast. Well, the same goes for your wedding day, too.  No matter how much time and energy you put into planning for your wedding, there will always be some things that are truly out of your control — like the weather.

Hoping For the Best — Planning For The Worst

Typically, you’ll find there are two types of wedding planners:  Those who are realistic about the weather they might expect on the day of the wedding—I’m looking at you, Chicago.   Your winters can be unforgiving!  

Then there are those who really, really, REALLY wish, hope and pray for the weather gods to cooperate on their perfect, end of summer, September wedding date.

If you fall into the first category, then you get it.  There’s nothing you can really do, and you’re probably okay with that.

If you fall into the second category, let me give you a bit of advice on how to cope…

Jeremy & Magda’s Unexpected Chicago Snowstorm Wedding

I’d like to tell you about Jeremy and Magda.  Their wedding was on April 27th this year, which happened to be the only day this year that we had record-shattering snowy weather.   And not just any snow, but a cold, wet, sleety snow that simply exploded with wetness as soon as it hit your body.

Yes, April is unpredictable.  But for the most part, you can count on the end of April almost always being nice… except for the end of this April, on Jeremy and Magda’s big day.

Now, practically speaking, you can always set aside a photogenic indoor location for some nice photographs on the wedding day.  But keep in mind most indoor locations will require prior permission or some kind of paid photography application.  In this case, Jeremy and Magda had two really great spots:  Loyola University’s Library, and their wedding venue, Gallery 1028.

Jeremy and Magda got married on Loyola Campus, and they received prior permission to photograph in the library, so kudos for them for planning ahead!  And Gallery 1028 is a really unique location with a spray of natural light because of their unique roof design, which includes some massive windows allowing natural light to fall into a part of their reception area.

But really—and we mean this—the absolute best thing you can do about undesirable weather on your wedding day is to have a GOOD ATTITUDE.  Hire a competent professional photographer that shares your wedding day vision, let go, and have a good time on your wedding day!

This is exactly what Magda and Jeremy did, and the results were just stunning.  Honestly, it was one of the worst weather conditions we’ve worked in for a very long time.  We wanted to share the love with them, and show them that all was not lost, so we sent over a few quick photographs the day after the wedding to calm their nerves a bit.  But as it turned out, they weren’t concerned at all!  They were so chill about the weather and weren’t fussed AT ALL!

Whether you choose to plan ahead, or you plan on accepting whatever the weather brings, it’s never a bad idea to have a Plan B when it comes to wedding photos, just in case the ideal photos can’t be taken outside.  But as long as you and your wedding photographer are on the same page, I have no doubt you’ll be just fine

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Jeremy & Magda’s Awesome Chicago Wedding Vendors

Ceremony Location: Loyola University

Wedding Planner: Sarah Deeke – Cheers! Chicago, Inc.

Hair & Makeup: Tamara Makeup & Hair Artistry, Inc.

Reception Venue: Gallery 1028

Catering: Calihan Catering

Flowers & Decor: Lyss & Co

DJ:  Okyne MediaLab

Violinist: Rachael Miller

Transportation:  M&M Limousine