Getting Married in Monsoon Season in Colorado

If you’re getting married in the summer in Colorado, you may or may not realize that you’re getting married in monsoon season in Colorado! What does that mean for planning your wedding? Here’s everything you need to know:

What is Monsoon Season?

While it can begin as early as June and go as late as September, typically July and August in Colorado are considered the monsoon season here in the state. What does monsoon season mean? Here in Colorado, we typically see the most effects in the mountains. Those effects can include strong winds, scattered afternoon showers, severe storms, and flash floods. It is very common in July and August to experience bursts of rain in the afternoon and evening. Typically these showers are brief but bring a lot of water. Sometimes they can last for multiple days though! There are risks of lightning, hail, and flash floods that come along with these storms, so it’s important to know what to do to stay safe.

Safety & Travel in Monsoon Season

Knowing how to stay safe in a monsoon, and informing your guests about these realities, sets you up for the best day ever if you’re getting married in monsoon season in Colorado. With wild fires of years’ past, there are burn scars in many areas of the state. During these scattered summer storms, a lot of burn scars turn into areas with high chances of mudslides and flash floods. Glenwood Canyon along I-70 has been closing almost every time it rains this year (2021) for this exact reason. Interstate closures and flight delays can cause travel delays for your guests. Make sure your guests know in advance to plan extra room for traveling to your wedding during summer months! Also make sure your guests know to bring jackets, umbrellas, and warm layers. Summer in the mountains is very different from summer at sea level!

It is also important to keep you and your guests safe if a monsoon comes on your wedding day. Make sure to seek shelter inside if lightning is occurring near your wedding. The mountains make storms seem further away than they actually are, which can be quite dangerous.

What to Prepare for a Monsoon Wedding Day

If you’re planning a July or August wedding in the mountains, and your wedding is outdoors, ask your venue upfront what their plan is in case of rain or storms. Be sure to ask about lightning and safety if the backup plan is tents. Many times tents are a great rain plan, and many are made to be a safe shelter in storms, but it is important to know up front! 

Plan to have clear umbrellas for at least you and the wedding party. Clear umbrellas let light in and are really cute for photos, while keeping your party at least somewhat dry! If there’s no other plan for rain during the ceremony, at least consider having umbrellas for each of your guests as well. You can buy umbrellas in bulk online, but make sure you plan this in advance!

Have towels on hand. If a storm breaks out before your ceremony and quickly moves along, which is pretty common, you can have a team of people lined up to towel off the chairs and keep the festivities moving as planned.

Another option is to plan your ceremony time for earlier in the afternoon. If you’re getting married up a mountain pass for your ceremony, consider pushing the time earlier in the day to avoid afternoon and evening storms that are more common. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s an option.

Whether you’re in tents or indoors, consider having blankets and/or heaters available to keep your guests warm during the chilly storms.

Finally, embrace it! Rain is supposed to be good luck on your wedding day, and ultimately it’s out of your control if it happens. Embracing the weather as it comes and doing what you can to prepare will ensure you still have an incredible celebration regardless!