If You Don't Like the Weather, Wait Five Minutes

January 24, 2014

A Guide to Outdoor Wedding Survival in Michigan

By: Chelsea Mills, Owner - Behind Your Design

As a little girl, you always dreamed of an outdoor wedding. You dreamed you would be walking down the tree-lined steps at your family home on Lake Fenton, or through a fall orchard with the red and gold leaves or even a spring wedding in a park with scented with roses and cherry blossoms. You envision the sun shining down on you during your wedding ceremony. The birds are chirping. A light breeze flows through the air. The guests are smiling at you. It is the PERFECT day.

Many brides and grooms get that perfect day. I wish every single one could. The reality is though, we live in Michigan. They don’t say, “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes” for nothing. You could have a quick change of weather at any time. I’ve seen the most beautiful day turn into the perfect storm in a matter of minutes.

I have a few rules for outdoor brides and grooms. If you’re going to get married outside in the spring, summer or fall in Michigan, you have to:

1. Deal with whatever happens and be happy with it

2. Be prepared, have a plan B

3. Make sure your guests are comfortable

4. Roll with the punches (also see #1 deal with it!)

I’m not trying to scare anyone, but being prepared is the best way to have an ideal day not only for you, but also for your guests on your wedding day.

Rain, Rain Go Away

Plan A might involve all of your guests in the back yard or in a park under the trees, but a Plan B is a safe idea. Check with local rental companies to see how late you can add a tent. The 10-day forecast is a safe bet as it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Sometimes it’s best to have a back up location. Does the church you’re getting married in have hall? Does the hotel your guests are staying in have an extra room? You typically can’t hold these without plans of using them, but if they are going unused, as your event gets closer, they may be an option.

So, worst case scenario… It’s raining or it’s going to rain and it’s not just a sprinkle- it’s raining cats and dogs. Do your guests have to walk on wet grass? A trip to the store for a bunch of umbrellas for your guests to use to walk to their cars or the bathrooms can be helpful. Will it start getting muddy? As pretty as grass is- it can get really nasty fast. Think about getting some hay or mulch to put down in high traffic areas. Can you order sidewalls for your tent? Sometimes it does rain so hard that a tent can only do so much and if it is blowing, sidewalls can help a little. Have large heaters on hand to turn on in the tent just in case the temperature drops. Not only is it only planning ahead, but also it shows your guests that you care about their comfort.

Trust your gut. If you have a feeling the weather might turn bad, secure a plan B. Because if you do, the saying is, you won’t need it. But if you don’t, you probably will.

Brrrrrrrrr….

You can never depend on the weather. A corporate event I did one October was predicting warm weather ten days prior and then a few days before changed to cold weather. I ended up adding sidewalls to the tent, gas heaters inside and outside, valet parking and purchased many fleece blankets, which I had embroidered with the client’s logo to match the color scheme of the event. I placed the blankets on the lounge furniture and passed them out as gifts so the guests could stay warm. The little extra cost is worth peace of mind and the guests thought the blankets were an amazing take a way from the event.

Oh, You Didn’t Plan for Your Wedding Party to Have 80’s Metal Band Hair?

As you know, it can get windy outdoors in Michigan very quickly. On a lake or in a backyard, wind can wreak havoc on an event. For your hair, use a little extra hairspray. For groomsmen, even if they’re not the product type, have them use a little. It’s better than having your hair sticking up in pictures. Buy some travel bottles of hairspray and hair gel to put in the bathrooms so your guests can use them as well.

Are your place cards secured? Get a plan B for your place cards if they were little cards on a table. Affix them to something! I’ve used figs with pins to secure the place cards as a paperweight. I have also used acrylic frames from the photo booth company to display the names in. This also makes a great keepsake for the guests to frame their photo booth memories in. Make sure your tablecloths are weighted so they’re not blowing up onto to lit candles or centerpieces. Are your napkins going to blow away? Make sure they’re secure as well by using heaving napkin rings or placing the bread and butter plate on top of them. Wind can also make it really hard to hear. Have a microphone for nuptials and speeches even if you think it might be overkill.

Create a Memory

Creating at atmosphere in which guests can enjoy themselves is not always an easy task. If your event is in a park, string lights around the trees so there is soft light when the sun sets. If your event is at a farm, have hand painted directional signs showing them the way to the ceremony, reception, restrooms and photo booth. When the guests arrive have a beverage handed to them by an attendant who is available to direct them or answer questions they may have. Don’t have a lot of idle time; you don’t want your guests to remember being bored.

Waiter, There is a Fly in My Soup

Insects can be uninvited guests. Make sure you have citronella candles and a bug zapper. Spray for mosquitoes in advance and also have bug spray on hand.

Hot, Hot, Hot!

August can make for days of unbearable heat! Make sure your guests have shade and plenty of bottled water. Make a pitcher of lemonade and ice tea and have that around too. Plan on your programs being doubled as fans during the ceremony. Add a tent and large commercial fans if you don’t already have one. Butter cream frosting can melt! Make sure to tell your baker that you’re going to be outside so they can use fondant on the cake instead. Make sure your guests are facing away from the sun for your ceremony. Or purchase sunglasses for everyone to wear during the ceremony, this can also make a great photograph afterwards! You don’t want them all squinting at you!

You’ll Laugh About This Someday

So, what if the weather isn’t the best? What if it’s not as you dreamed? At the end of the night, you’re still going home with the love of your life. That is what should be most important. Make this your mantra. Say it over and over again when you feel like things aren’t going quite as you planned.

Make the most out of it. Take fun pictures in the snow. Act like you’re blowing away in the wind. If you’re really adventurous - dance in the rain or jump in the lake. Why not, your going to get wet anyway?

Make sure your guests are comfortable. Then, have a glass of wine! You can’t control the weather, but you can be prepared.

How Thoughtful Details Made Connor & Gabrielle's Celebration Unforgettable

August 7, 2026
When people think back on a wedding, they usually remember the big moments, the ceremony, the first dance, and the reception. But it's often the thoughtful details that make a big day feel even more special for both the couple and the people celebrating with them. This July, we had the chance to be part of another Macksood family wedding as Connor and Gabrielle tied the knot. After helping with Hannah and Reed's wedding, it was so much fun to work with the family again and create another collection of custom pieces for such a memorable day. From custom signage to personalized drinkware, every item added a little something to the celebration. A Wedding Full of Personal Touches Connor and Gabrielle wanted every part of their wedding to reflect their personalities, their style, and the story they wanted to tell. That's exactly what custom products can do. For their big day, we created custom pens, cups, napkins, a felt letter board sign, photo coasters featuring the couple, and an acrylic sign. We also created custom shirts and socks that added another fun, personalized element to the wedding festivities.

From Vision to Launch: Building the Fenton Pilates Studio Brand

August 7, 2026
We’ve had the great opportunity to work with Fenton Pilates Studio as they prepare to open their doors in downtown Fenton. Getting to be part of a new business from the beginning has allowed us to help bring their vision to life across every part of their brand. From the logo and website to signage, marketing materials, promotional products, and apparel, we’ve worked together to create a brand that feels clean, welcoming, and true to the experience Fenton Pilates Studio is creating for its clients. Starting with the Brand Identity The project began with a custom logo inspired by the studio’s beautiful front window overlooking Leroy Street. It’s a subtle detail that connects the brand to its downtown Fenton location while creating a clean, modern look that can grow with the business. From there, we designed and developed a custom website where future clients can learn about the studio, classes, instructors, and what to expect when they walk through the doors.

Join Behind Your Design at Women Connect: Building a Personal Brand People Remember

August 7, 2026
How do you want people to remember you? At Behind Your Design, we know that every interaction helps shape your reputation. Your personal brand isn't just about what you do. It's about how you communicate, the confidence you bring, and the lasting impression you leave on others. We're proud to share that Behind Your Design Owner Chelsea Mills will be the featured speaker at the Fenton & Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce's Women Connect networking event on Thursday, August 20. During this engaging morning, Chelsea will share practical strategies for building a personal brand that creates meaningful, lasting connections in both your professional and everyday life. Connect, Learn, and Leave Inspired Women Connect brings local women together for networking, learning, and encouragement. Attendees will enjoy a light breakfast while connecting with fellow professionals and gaining practical takeaways they can begin using immediately.

OGIO® Gear Cube: A Premium Branded Organizer Your Team Will Love

August 6, 2026
When choosing promotional products for your business, it's worth investing in items that deliver value long after they're received. The OGIO® Gear Cube is a premium storage solution designed for organization, durability, and everyday use, making it an excellent branded gift for employees or clients. Stay Organized Wherever Work Takes You If your team travels, works in the field, attends trade shows, or manages equipment daily, staying organized is essential. The OGIO® Gear Cube offers structured storage for tools, cables, technology, safety gear, samples, or personal items. Its collapsible frame folds flat for easy storage, while interior elastic loops, mesh pockets, and lined compartments help keep everything in its place. Custom Branding with Everyday Value The removable top panel can be customized with your comp any logo using heat transfer decoration, creating a clean, professional finish. Custom branding does more than promote your business. It also helps employees quickly identify their o wn gear, reducing mix-ups at job sites, events, and shared workspaces. Check out the gear cubes we created for Recovery Alliance Project in the picture above. Built for Daily Use Cons tructed from 400D recycled RPET ballistic polyester, the OGIO® Gear Cube is designed to handle demanding work environments. Features like padded handles, a structured design, durable zippers, and m ultiple interior storage options make it a dependable companion for work or travel. A Promotional Product That Keeps Working Unlike many promotional items, the OGIO® Gear Cube becomes part of someone's daily routine. Whether it's given as an employee appreciation gift, onboarding item, or client thank-you, it's a practical product that keeps your brand visible every time it's used. If you're looking for a premium promotional product that combines organization, durability, and thoughtful branding, the OGIO® Gear Cube is an investment your team w ill appreciate for years to come.

Beyond the Flowers: Custom Hawaiian Shirts Designed for Your Brand

August 6, 2026
When most people think of Hawaiian shirts, they picture tropical flowers and palm trees. Today' s custom Hawaiian shirts offer something much more exciting: a completely custom design built around your brand, event, or organization. At Behind Your Design, we've been creating custom dye sublimated Hawaiian shirts that are as unique as the people wearing them. Every shirt is designed from scratch , allowing us to incorporate your logo, colors, artwork, and custom patterns into apparel that's both memorable and fun to wear. Designed Around Your Brand Unlike stock Hawaiian shirts with a logo added afterward, our shirts are fully customized from edge to edge. Using full-color dye sublimation, the artwork becomes part of the fabric for vibrant graphics that won't crack, peel, or fade. Here are a few recent projects we've created:

Custom Coolers: A Promotional Product for Every Season

August 6, 2026
Custom coolers are useful year-round, from packing lunch for work to football games, road trips, camping, and weekends at the beach. With plenty of sizes and styles available, they’re an easy promotional product to match to your audience, event, or budget. Why Choose a Custom Cooler? A cooler has a simple purpose: keep food and drinks cold on the go. Add your logo or custom design, and you have a functional promotional product that can be used at work, games, vacations, events, and everyday outings. Custom Coolers for Fall Events and Tailgating Football season, weekend tournaments, and fall events are perfect opportunities for a branded cooler . Use them for company tailgates, youth sports, customer giveaways, or event gifts. Coolers keep food and drinks cold while putting your branding on an item that can travel well beyond the event.
Show More