Weather is one of the main factors when planning an outdoor wedding. It is also maybe the biggest unknown element. Will you and your guests be in for a beautiful sun-dappled day, or a major surprise? Save the "wet and wild" for the honeymoon!

Unfortunately, when dealing with Mother Nature, there are no guarantees. In fact, it is pretty much impossible to predict the weather more than a week in advance. And, as you may know from watching your local news, it is often impossible to make a correct prediction for even tomorrow's weather.

While you can't be absolutely sure about having perfect weather for your outdoor wedding ceremony and reception, you can at least do a little research into past weather patterns. Statistics on average high temperatures, low temps, and precipitation can help you to narrow down your wedding to a particular month or week of the year that, historically, has fairer weather.

Another thing to remember when planning an outdoor wedding is the time of the sunset (or sunrise if you're early birds), the phase of the moon, and if you're planning a beach wedding, the tides. Consider the location of the sun when planning the ceremony; you don't want your guests blinded as they try to watch the bride and groom through the sun blazing in their eyes. Guests will also need to be able to navigate the area - don't let the evening darkness set in without proper lighting ready to go. And of course, if you're to be married on the beach, don't let your celebrants get swept away under the rising sea level! These suggestions may seem like common sense, but often the most basic planning can get overlooked in the swarm of details surrounding your outdoor wedding!

One good thing about an overcast day for your outdoor wedding? A bit of cloud cover will be beneficial to your wedding photography. Sunny days, while beautiful to enjoy, can cast harsh shadows and glares in your wedding pictures. On your outdoor wedding day, it is true that every cloud has a silver lining.

Below are some links to help you weigh your weather options:

USA Weather Almanac - Outdoor Wedding Day Planning
Shows monthly average high temps, low temps, precipitation and more. Information for major U.S. cities and also National Parks.
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resources/climate/wusaclim.htm

Sun, Moon, and Stars on your Outdoor Wedding Day
Sunrise & sunset times, phases of the moon, and more.
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/resources/basics/wsunrise.htm

Beach Outdoor Wedding Ceremonies
Coastal area info including water temps and tide predictions.
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wmarine0.htm#tides

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