It’s the big day. You’re so excited and ready to marry the one you love, only those dark, black clouds decide to open up (heavily) two hours before your set to party on down the aisle. All your supplies turn to you to ask about your wet weather plan, but oh oh! You don’t have one. You didn’t think you’d need it. Now, with minutes to make a critical decision, you have to pull an “able to fit 100 people indoor venue” sized rabbit out of your hat and find a place to say “I do.” You need a Newcastle wet weather ceremony location – NOW!
It’s every couple’s nightmare. Unfortunately, a backup ceremony option is still something couples forget about or don’t consider vital in their wedding planning. I sit on the “must-have” side when it comes to a Plan B. I have seen too many of the most beautiful plans end in tears because no one thought about what to do if it rained.
- Rain. You and your guests will get wet. Your vendors may have equipment they are not prepared to get wet, including celebrant PAs, musician’s instruments, DJ equipment, and photographer’s cameras.
- Wind. Heavy wind makes it almost impossible to hear the ceremony but also blows dresses, hair, veils, and sometimes arbours in all sorts of directions.
- Sun/ Heat. Sweaty face, bright red, and sunburnt for the rest of the day, not to mention guests with heatstroke and in a bad mood. No one is going to have a good time at your wedding if you make them start the day in 40-degree heat.
- Random Weather Events and Other Suprise Elements: Fire, floods, council closures, other public events. All good reasons to have a Plan B location to put into play at any time leading up to the day.
Luckily, around Newcastle, there are some gorgeous places to use as a wet weather ceremony location.
Newcastle Wet Weather Ceremony Locations
Your Reception Venue.
Consider asking your reception venue if they can be your Plan B. Ask what the costs are if any, and how much lead time they require. Some businesses may want you to decide a day or two before the ceremony. Others will be happy to make that decision the morning of the wedding.
Community Halls and Centres
There are a number of these halls across Newcastle. They come in all shapes and sizes to suit your needs. You will need to secure a booking through Council. You will need to do your research, decide on the right location, and book it well in advance.
The list of halls and centres available to hire is here
King Edwarrd Park Rotunda
Suitable for small weddings, and only if the rain is not torrential as you have to cross the park. Bookings through the Council. Other Rotundas are at Centennial Park and the Rotunda at New Lambton.
Train Sheds at the Foreshore
The open shed, located in Foreshore Park, is right near Nobbys. Parking is on the street. You will need umbrellas for your arrival.
The space is open, so heavy rain may impact your ability to hear.Music concerts, festivals, other theatrical and musical events, public addresses are held in the area. You’ll be competing with other picnic goers and families also. Shelters at parks around town could work. However, unless you book exclusive use, they remain accessible to members of the public at all times.
Lot 19 Wickham
A new face on the scene Lot 19, Wickham, is available for hire and suits small intimate weddings. It’s a blank canvas where you can bring in all your suppliers and take your outdoor wedding to transplant it indoors very easily.
Customs House
Customs House has saved the day on several occasions over the past 15 years. Upstairs is a large, welcoming space for ceremonies and able to accommodate last-minute bookings. The staff is friendly, accomodating and professional.
The McIntyre Theatrette has a large, modern space for your ceremony and a well equipt PA system. Booked via Newcastle Venues, who also manage Fort Scratchley and the Civic Theatre, the Museum is a central space with lots of council parking nearby.
Things to consider when looking for a wet weather ceremony location.
- Do you like the location? If the weather isn’t playing nice on your wedding day, you want to be able to shrug it off and be happy with what you have planned as a just-in-case. Can you style it in the way you want and, will your guests be comfortable?
- How far is it from your reception or original ceremony location? Guests who will be drinking might be using rideshare or taxis to transport themselves around. Also, a nearby location means any guests who have traveled to attend won’t have to change their accommodation or run around trying to find the new spot.
If you have to resort to your wet weather options, some handy tips are:
- Have a contact list stored in your phone of the mobile phone numbers of all your guests and an email distribution list. If you have to change location, a quick text or email to everyone with the new ceremony details is all that is needed.
- Don’t forget to tell your suppliers that you have changed location too.
- Make the decision early, giving yourself time to shake off any emotions caused by the change of plans, and get your head back in the game, concentrating on having a ball and marrying the one you love.
Remember, having the perfect wedding day is more about your attitude than everything running smoothly. Hiccups happen, and the weather is one of the few things you can’t control.
