If you have ever planned a wedding, you know the weather app becomes your new best friend, your worst enemy and your most opened tab. Couples will try absolutely anything to keep the rain away, and honestly, I love every single ritual, tradition and superstition that pops up during wedding season. Some are ancient, some are modern, and some are so wonderfully strange that you cannot help but smile.
Here are my favourites, with a little background on where they come from and why people swear they work.
Old world rituals
These are the traditions that have been passed down through families, cultures and communities. They are sweet, symbolic and full of charm.
Turning your shoes upside down
This one appears in several European folk traditions. The idea is that placing your shoes upside down confuses the rain spirits and stops them from finding you. Does it work? Who knows. Is it adorable? Absolutely.
Hanging a white cloth in the garden
This comes from parts of Latin America where brides hang a small white cloth or towel outside the home to invite clear skies. The cloth represents purity, calm and a peaceful day.
Placing a broom outside the front door
A Caribbean tradition that symbolises sweeping away bad weather and negative energy. The broom stands guard, keeping the rain at bay.
Praying to Saint Medard
In France, Saint Medard is the patron saint of good weather. Couples will sometimes say a small prayer or light a candle for him the night before the wedding.
Modern rituals
These are the new generation of weather magic, invented by couples who are determined to outsmart the clouds with creativity, humour and a little chaos.
Burying a sausage
My favourite. This tradition comes from Germany, where couples bury a sausage the day before the wedding to keep the rain away. Modern couples have adopted it purely for fun, and honestly, the ones who do it swear it works.
Freezing your wedding date
Write your wedding date on a piece of paper and pop it in the freezer. The belief is that freezing the date keeps the weather cool and calm.
Asking the dog to choose the weather
Give your dog two treats labelled sunshine and rain. Whichever treat the dog chooses is the prediction. If the dog picks sunshine, everyone cheers. If the dog picks rain, everyone pretends it did not happen.
Burning sage
A modern spiritual ritual where couples burn sage the night before the wedding to clear negative energy and invite peaceful weather.
Cultural traditions
These rituals come from specific cultures and have been lovingly carried into modern weddings.
The Japanese teru teru bozu
A little handmade paper doll hung outside the home to bring good weather. Children in Japan make them before school sports days, and couples sometimes make them before weddings.
The Italian bella figura
In Italy, couples tidy the front of their home the day before the wedding to create a beautiful impression. The belief is that good presentation invites good weather.
Indian coconut offering
A coconut placed at the entrance of the home or venue as a symbol of protection and blessing. Many families believe it helps keep the day smooth and calm, including the skies.
And now for the real talk
As fun and fabulous as these rituals are, here is the truth. You can control so much about your wedding day, but you cannot control the weather. So while burying a sausage or hanging a paper doll might bring joy and good luck, the best option is always to have a wet weather plan.
Whether that means an undercover area, a marquee, a beautiful verandah or simply a stash of umbrellas ready to go, having a backup gives you peace of mind. It means you can relax, enjoy the lead up and know that no matter what the sky decides to do, your ceremony will still be gorgeous.
Why we love these rituals
They bring joy. They bring laughter. They give you something fun to focus on instead of refreshing the weather app every ten minutes. And they become part of your story.
Rain or shine, your wedding day will be beautiful. The weather does not decide the magic. You do.