Love is in the air, and with outdoor weddings growing in popularity, celebrating under the open sky can transform your special day into something truly magical. Of course, the British weather can be unpredictable – but with thoughtful planning, you can create an unforgettable outdoor celebration come rain or shine, explains Neil Brooke, Director of Food & Drink at Regent’s Events.
Outdoor weddings surged in popularity in 2022 due to new legislation allowing outdoor civil ceremonies, combined with couples’ post-lockdown desire to celebrate outside – and the trend remains strong in 2025. Nearly half of couples are now actively seeking venues with outdoor spaces for their special day and a recent survey from Zola found that an outdoor venue with a romantic, garden party feel topped the list.
However, outdoor venues are not immune to the unpredictability of the British weather – no matter how beautiful they may be. The good news is that as outdoor weddings have grown in popularity, so too have the services and options available to ensure your wedding is perfect, whatever the weather.
Adaptable scenery
The key to handling the weather at an outdoor wedding is adaptability – finding clever ways to stay one step ahead of whatever the forecast may bring.
Weddings at Regent’s in central London are all about versatility. Along with our vast lawns and enchanting Secret Garden, we provide guests with an ivory-lined marquee featuring opening sides. This gives a much-needed reprieve from the sun during particularly hot days, as well as protection from the rain and wind when the weather does not play ball.
Being adaptable means having a reliable plan B – one that doesn’t feel like a backup. By choosing a venue with a variety of indoor event spaces, you can ensure that even a sideways storm won’t derail your special day if the celebration needs to be moved inside. Regent’s Event’s prides itself on being adaptable to any scenario, with the ability to make quick changes and think on our feet – whether that means removing perishable items or selecting alternative photography locations.
The little touches
The small details can make all the difference when weatherproofing a wedding in Britain. Blankets, umbrellas and portable heaters are thoughtful additions to keep your wedding party comfortable in case of unexpected weather. You might also consider offering parasols or fans during warmer days, which can be personalised or coordinated with your colour scheme to look great in photos.
Work with your venue to determine what’s possible and what might be needed, depending on the time of year you plan to have your outdoor wedding.
Sustainably outdoors
According to a report from the Sustainable Wedding Alliance, 98% of couples say that sustainability plays a factor when planning their wedding.
With this in mind, choosing a venue with strong sustainability credentials is essential. Are the decorations sustainably made or sourced? How sustainable are the catering options? And what is the venue itself doing to minimise waste and its environmental impact?
Your catering team will be your biggest allies. Choose to work with a venue and catering team experienced in outdoor events, who understand food hygiene in varied conditions and have the right equipment.
With the growing focus on sustainability, our ongoing efforts here at Regent’s have recently earned us B Corp certification, showcasing our high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. We are therefore well placed to answer any questions you may have about sustainable practices – and we welcome them too. There may be some extra considerations to bear in mind, but planning ahead will help ensure you have the outdoor wedding of your dreams, regardless of the weather.
Final tip: This is the biggest party of your life so go and have fun – your guests will too, come rain, snow, wind or shine!
To find out more about planning your environmentally conscious, weatherproof wedding, visit our wedding page.