A windy wedding ceremony is one of the hardest outdoor conditions to manage — especially when there’s nowhere to move the ceremony indoors.
Rain is easier to plan around. Heat is uncomfortable but manageable.
But wind?
Wind affects safety, audio, décor, hair/veil control, and guest comfort all at once.
And if you aren’t prepared, a windy ceremony can turn into a stressful scramble.
Here’s what professional wedding planners do when it’s extremely windy and the ceremony must stay outside.
1) Start with the planner mindset: wind is a safety issue, not an aesthetic issue
When wind is strong, your priorities shift.
This is not the moment to “try to make it work” with every décor element.
Wind can cause:
- arches/totems to tip
- signage easels to fall forward into guests
- tall aisle florals to collapse
- candles to blow out or fall
- microphones to squeal or go silent
- guest discomfort that makes them disengage
Your job is to lead the day with calm authority, not chase perfection.
2) The first decision: protect AUDIO
If guests can’t hear the ceremony, the ceremony fails — no matter how pretty it looks.
What I do immediately:
What I do immediately:
- Confirm mic type (lav/handheld)
- Confirm windscreen (cover)
- Ask DJ or musician to adjust placement and backup mic
- Move speakers to reduce wind interference
- Have officiant project + shorten pauses
Pro tip: If wind is strong, you want:
- lav mic on officiant
- handheld for vows if possible
- windscreen
- backup plan if mic drops out
Audio is everything.
3) Re-position the ceremony layout based on wind direction
This is one of the most overlooked fixes.
If guests are staring into the wind:
- hair and clothes whip around
- eyes water
- no one can focus on the ceremony
- people hold hats/phones constantly
What to do:
- Rotate ceremony so guests face away from the wind when possible
- Place officiant with back to wind (if using mic)
- Angle aisle so processional isn’t walking into wind
Sometimes a 90-degree turn saves the entire experience.
4) Remove the items that cause chaos
This is where newer planners get stuck — they don’t want to disappoint the couple.
But experienced planners know:
The couple will be more upset by chaos than by simplified décor.
Items to remove or replace during strong wind:
- light-weight easels + welcome signs
- aisle markers that aren’t anchored
- paper programs (they WILL fly)
- tall arrangements without heavy bases
- draping or loose fabric on arches
- candles (especially hurricane-less)
What to do instead:
- use heavy sign stands or skip signs
- use seated programs (or no programs)
- secure everything with sandbags + zip ties + U glu strips or alien tape (Check these items out HERE.)
- keep aisle décor minimal + grounded
5) Secure what remains (like a pro)
Wind ceremonies are all about stabilization.
Planner “wind kit” essentials:
- zip ties (white + black)
- sandbags
- binder clips
- gaff tape
- industrial velcro
- bungee cords
- scissors + wire cutters
- hair pins
- small weights (fishing weights work)
Who should do what:
Florist:
- reinforce bases + remove drape
- reduce high florals
Rental company:
- heavy bases
- grounded décor
DJ:
- windscreen + speaker placement
- backup mic
Planner:
- layout angle + safety decisions + timeline buffer
6) Create a “wind-adjusted” ceremony flow
Wind affects pacing.
The best windy ceremony structure:
- short processional
- shorter pause between parties
- officiant stays concise
- personal vows printed + secured (not loose papers)
- quick recessional
If there’s a unity ceremony with loose items (sand, candles, letters)?
Skip it or adapt it.
Your goal is impactful and efficient, not dragged out.
7) Communicate to the couple with calm confidence
This is everything.
Don’t say:
“It’s REALLY windy and I don’t know what to do.”
Say:
“Wind is our main factor today. I’m going to simplify and secure the setup so your ceremony stays safe, comfortable, and beautiful.”
Then give options:
- rotate ceremony direction
- reduce décor
- adjust veil plan
- shorten ceremony
Couples respond well when you present changes as:
professional protection, not disappointment.
8) On-site ceremony “reset plan” (this is pro-level)
Wind ceremonies sometimes have items fall mid-ceremony.
So I always assign:
- 1 person on décor watch
- 1 person near aisle end
- 1 person ready to step in if something tips
Reset principles:
- fix only what’s dangerous
- ignore small imperfections
- protect the couple’s focus
Wind weddings need leadership, not perfection
When wind is strong and there’s no indoor backup, the ceremony can still be beautiful.
But only when you lead with:
- safety
- clarity
- simplification
- calm vendor communication
Wind doesn’t ruin weddings.
Unpreparedness does.
| Terrica McKee is a seasoned wedding planner, florist, and educator with over 14 years of experience helping new and aspiring wedding planners build confidence and run professional, stress-free weddings. As the founder of Southern Productions, Meridian’s first full-service wedding planning and florist company, Terrica provides step-by-step systems, done-for-you templates, and expert guidance so planners can show up like pros from day one. |
