Unveiled - Behind the scenes with Belinda Norris Events
As an event planner, Belinda Norris is always thinking about the big picture. For this wedding at the Farm on Mad River in Waitsfield, everything was perfect—as far as the bride and groom were concerned. Norris, though, worried about weather—and came up with a rainy-day game plan.
You’ve bought the perfect dress and the menu looks delicious, but nothing—and we do mean nothing—can control the forecast for your big day. And the reality of foul weather for an outdoor wedding can leave a bride literally shivering in her shoes. Luckily, planner extraordinaire Belinda Norris, owner of Belinda Norris Events, knows a lot about weatherproofing for a wedding. While perfection is always the goal, Norris understands that responding to unforeseeable conditions requires flexibility and lots of forethought. On this and the following pages, she shares with us the work that went into creating a rain-resistant June wedding for Alexis Wasserman and Jon Kleinman on the sprawling grounds of the Farm on Mad River, a Waitsfield B&B and inn. We hope that seeing what she did—and how she did it—will not only give you reception inspiration, but will help you better plan for the unexpected, too.
{Belinda's Tips}
Check references. If you plan your own wedding, which some brides do, having good, reliable vendors is key. Talk to other brides to find the most experienced and trustworthy professionals you can. A caterer can often help with many aspects of your planning.
Make a backup plan. Expect the worst from Mother Nature and create options for uncooperative weather. If the sun does shine, great—but you’ll save yourself a lot of worry knowing that you’re covered either way.
Remember lighting. Often overlooked, lighting is one of the most important design elements and is a key to creating ambiance. Change the lighting throughout the evening to help create different moods for different parts of your event.
Please yourself. If you have a complicated situation, live far away or just have the luxury of being able to hire a planner, find someone you like and trust. Most important, select someone who will represent you and your partner.
Create timelines. Timing is extremely important. To avoid surprises, make sure to provide all your vendors with a specific schedule built around the requirements of your primary vendor, usually the caterer.
Enjoy it! After all the planning, it’s time to relax and let things flow. For both client and vendor, the event itself should be a satisfying unfolding of well-laid plans.
