Your big day has finally arrived, and you are anxiously waiting to see just how the years, months, weeks, and days of planning will all unravel. In your mind, you may be envisioning a problem-free fairytale, but then WHAM! A small dose of reality hits. Read on to find a list of some surprising, yet very common, wedding day complications and just what you can do to smooth them over.

When Mother Nature Calls

Ok so let’s face it, this is a problem that unfortunately we can’t do much about. If Mother Nature wants it to rain, you can buy umbrellas in bulk and hand them out like boxes of candy. Surprisingly, umbrellas make for fun wedding photo props! And if Mother Nature decides that a hurricane is a more fitting backdrop for your special day, well then let’s just hope you had a Plan B.
There are a few weather-related tips when it comes to planning either a beach wedding, or just an outdoor wedding in general.
Some vendors offer wedding insurance. And if your special day is going to be outdoors and/or on the beach, this might be something worth your consideration.
Having a Plan B is just as important. If your wedding is going to be held outdoors, or on the beach, be sure to check with your location vendor. Some places can offer you an indoor space in the event of weather-related issues. Amidst all of the planning and preparing, what’s meant to be will be. Take comfort in an old, traditional Hindu belief: Rain on your wedding day is good luck because it signifies that your marriage will last. As you know, a knot that becomes wet is extremely hard to untie, therefore when you “tie the knot” on a rainy day, your marriage is just as hard to unravel!

A New Day in Which We Live

No doubt, life, and weddings have changed during this past year because of the pandemic. Maintain safety, but don’t let the worst interfere with your best day. They say that necessity is the mother of invention, so think about making face masks available. Also, how about a zoom station so guests may still be “In attendance” that may not be otherwise?

Pullen Weddings

Damage to THE Dress

You have managed to keep your most prized possession (yes, your wedding dress!) safe from stains, rips, and tears for the last few months, but now, the inevitable time has come to reveal it to your groom, and to every other guest attending your event. This means you will be opening the door to accidental damages, which is a very common occurrence. But thankfully, most of the time a small stain or even a tear is fixable. The first step is to take a deep breath before reacting. For example, the worst thing you can do is pour water on a satin wedding gown, or start scrubbing at a delicate piece of silk. Consider pinning up a piece of loose dress trim, or even cover that stain with an accessory! Whether you are walking down the aisle or making your rounds after dinner, rest assured that no one will really notice the dress slip up.

Shutterstock

Photo Bombs on the Beach

Keep in mind that while you are getting married in paradise on the Outer Banks, others are having their family vacations. If you are taking pictures, be cognizant of those around you. You may not want that cooler covered with empty beer cans in your wedding photo album, or the guy who looks like your Uncle Fred.
Sadly, others may not care that your wedding is going on during their vacation. Often times people will cooperate if asked nicely. Have your photographer kindly ask that others on the beach allow for just a few minutes of picture taking by not standing in the shots.
Another consideration may be to add a backdrop on the beach between you and the beachgoers.
Finally, if it’s too windy for a backdrop or others aren’t willing to cooperate, you may just have to move the pictures closer to the dune line where it is less populated (but stay off the dunes!).

Del Sol Photography

Traffic Tie-Ups

Locals can tell you that in-season traffic can be a real mess. What normally would take 10 minutes, may take upwards of 40 in the summer.
Don’t allow the potential of important guests missing your wedding. The best practice to avoid this is to hire the transportation service of Stella the OBX Trolley. Stella knows the roads, the traffic flows and will ensure all arrive where (and more importantly) when they are scheduled.

Keri Pampuch

Knowing is Solving

Arming yourself with knowledge ahead of time may just save on the setbacks too. If you are planning a beach wedding, be sure to consult a tide chart. The last thing you want to have to worry about is the water’s edge becoming part of 
the ceremony.
It sounds silly, but remember this, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Why is that important? Well, if you want a sunset wedding, you’ll want to do that on the sound side, not on the beach.
Parking? Will there be enough spots for my guests? There may not be. Consider using a service like the OBX Wedding Trolley to transport your guests safely to your ceremony.
Wedding day struggles are bound to happen. You may think that these struggles have only happened to you, but take comfort in knowing that most brides face these very same problems. Some things are within our control, and some things are outside of our control, but it is how you deal with those struggles that will define your wedding day.

Top feature image by Lori Douglas Photography