Nailing Your Special Day, Rain Or Shine!

You can’t control the weather, but you can always have a detailed and sure-fire back up plan in place with your wedding venue and vendors to make sure rain will not ruin your special day! That is what we here at the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites make sure of!

Our outdoor ceremony space in Pickering Wharf is your very own wedding village destination with a priceless view to remember. We completely set up the Ceremony Green with white garden chairs, a beautiful white arch along with a semi-permanent white aisle that leads you up to our grand arch over-looking Salem Harbor and over to Marblehead Sound. Not to mention, you and your guests can be escorted in style from the hotel to the Ceremony Green and back in our enclosed electric golf cars!

So you’ve planned for this perfect setup and have all this outdoor beauty in downtown, historic Salem pictured in your head expecting that this is just how your special day is going to be! BUT, as the big day gets closer, mother nature decides it wants to be a part of it too and invites herself…#WeddingCrasher! NOW WHAT?! 

Don’t worry we have you covered…literally😊

The Back Up Plan

It’s so important when working with a venue with an Outdoor Ceremony space that they are impeccable at implementing a backup plan that makes a rainy wedding day a seamless and fabulous one! 

We know that an Outdoor Ceremony is what you really have your heart set on and we make every effort to make it happen as we watch the weather closely up until 72 hours prior to your wedding. 

When the best call for you and your guests is to move indoors, we have a stunning ballroom and experienced team of staff to help make your day shine anyway! Our Grand Ballrooms luminous chandeliers and sweeping floor to ceiling windows have the capability of dividing into two separate spaces so that we can setup one side for your ceremony and flip the entire ballroom during cocktail hour in our Compass Room or Regatta Pub, back to your reception in the Ballroom without a hitch! 

The Tables, Linens & China are setup on one half of the ballroom while we set the chairs for the ceremony space on the other. All vendors from the DJ or Band, Florist and Officiant are in close communication with us so they can also set-up accordingly. This makes transforming the entire Ballroom for both segments of your special day a seamless transition in just a few short day’s notice.

Rain or Shine, Indoor or Outdoor, a romantic and elegant atmosphere at the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites awaits while you celebrate each other and dance the night away with loved ones. Mother Nature WHO?!

Creative Photos, Props & Supplies!

There are also memorable and creative options you can have in place to work with a rainy wedding day. So, if mother nature wants to crash the party, let’s party with her! Here’s a few recommendations to ease any potential weather nerves and even get excited about!

• Talk with your Photographer: Rain & stormy skies can make for some of the most romantic and atmospheric photos especially in historic Pickering Wharf. Your photographer can help you take advantage of the clouds and turn a fleeting moment into a lasting memory. Some photographers may even be able to use flash to mimic the sun for a magical sun-kissed shot. Work with your photographer and get creative with your snapshots. Our gorgeous hotel lobby with fireplace is also a stunning alternative for indoor photos!
• Umbrellas: Giving out Umbrellas are always great to keep your guests dry, but they can also be fun props to use in your photos. Just think about a sea of color coordinated or themed umbrellas as you walk down the aisle and through your family of loved ones. Not to mention the fun bridal party and family photos you could have with these!
• Rain Boots: Not only are they comfortable, but they can add a charming and unique element to your wedding. Not to mention there are some fabulous versions out there that are totally bridal! From ankle height to knee height, to colorful, metallic, embellished, monogramed and lace up designs you can wear boots that match your bridal style. There are even high-heeled rain boot options out there!
• Warm Towels & Blankets: Rain makes for a great excuse to cuddle up! You could have a photo blanket with your initials made to get cozy on your wedding day and make for a loving photo for your wedding book. You can also be prepared and have towels available for your guests to snag and stay dry.

• Backup Cake Topper: Adding small elements to embrace the weather can make for a fun play on Miss Mother Nature. Backup cake toppers like the below can be just the clever touch! 
• Signature Cocktails:  Serve up a “Dark & Stormy” cocktail consisting of dark rum, ginger beer and garnished with a slice of lime. It doesn’t typically come with a cocktail umbrella, but it might be fun to add one! 

• Embrace the Veil: Veils are incredibly bridal and fantastic for protecting your hair and make-up on a rainy wedding day. 

• Protect the Dress: You can always spray the hem of your dress yourself with something like Scotchguard, but taking it to a dry cleaners to have it done for you is a safe bet!

• Waterproof Makeup: Give yourself one less thing to worry about on your wedding day with water-proof makeup and you’ll look perfect whether you’re kissing in the rain, shedding tears of joy or dancing the night away.

At the end of the day, you’re getting married to the love of your life and that’s truly all that matters. The show will go on and rest assured the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites will be there to guide you through step by step, rain or shine!

Don’t Forget These Helpful & Inspiring Reminders!

• Wedding flowers last longer in the rain.
• A rainy wedding makes for a great story.
• Rain makes for wedding day rainbows.
• You don’t have to worry about overheated guests.
• Rain eliminates allergies, it’s true! Rain reduces airborne pollen. 
• Remember the good ol’ saying, Rain on your wedding day means good luck!