Planning a Spring Wedding in the Inland Northwest

Springtime here in the Inland Northwest is March through May. You may like the idea of getting married in the spring because it’s not as popular and the temperatures tend to be more moderate. However, spring can also be very unpredictable. Planning a wedding is tough enough as it is, but when you throw some unreliable weather into the mix it can create added stress. With that said, if it is your dream to get married in the spring here in the INW, you go Glenn Coco, there are just a couple things you should keep in mind…

1. As mentioned above, spring in the Inland Northwest is the most unpredictable time of the year when it comes to the weather. You will hear us say, “wait 5 minutes, it will change” for a reason. Some days are absolutely beautiful with 50–60-degree weather, while other days we are getting dumped on with snow and still other others we will have sideways rain that seems to come out of nowhere. If you are planning a wedding that you have the option of keeping totally indoors then there is little to worry about, but if you do plan on being outside at all, you need to be prepared with tents and/or heaters, your guests will be more comfy and everyone will definitely appreciate it!

2. On a positive note, vendors are typically more available during the spring months. However, that is not me saying “Oh don’t worry about waiting until the last minute to book them”, because this is also the time of year when wedding vendors tend to take time for themselves and their families with vacations. Our wedding season can seem very seasonal, jam packed into the 4-5 summer/fall months, so we really have to take the time when we can.

3. Have I mentioned weather yet? Well, not to bring it up again, but I have lived in the INW my whole life, so I have seen it all, 65 degrees in mid-March as well as a foot of snow in June. When looking at wedding venues this is just something to keep in mind because some spaces may not be accessible if there is snow on the ground. Additionally, even if you can reach the site to view it when there is snow on the ground, it can look completely different once the snow has melted and may not match your vision the same way. You can work with this though, as most venues have photos of prior weddings for you to view, just make sure to do your research.

4. When planning your décor and aesthetic for a spring wedding, make sure to consider floral availability. This can either be a positive or a negative depending on what flowers you are hoping to see. Springtime brings with it peonies, lilacs, tulips and daffodils, so it is a great time of year to showcase those flowers without costing an arm and a leg to ship in. Springtime, however, is not peak season for flowers like dahlias or sunflowers. Not to say you can’t still get these flowers, but they may be more limited and more expensive.

5. As you start wedding dress shopping, keep in mind most bridal boutique shops get their new styles for the coming year in the spring. If you are someone like me and just looking for a comfortable dress that makes you feel like your most beautiful self, then this may not resonate with you as much. But if you are hoping for a new style that not a lot of brides have worn yet then this is something to keep in mind and either shop early or understand that you may be looking at a lot of “last year’s” styles. However, if you are getting your dress altered, the winter months tend to be when the seamstresses are more available, so that can be a stress reliever for some brides.

Well, there you have it. Hopefully, this gives you some realistic things to consider when planning a spring wedding. If this is your dream then I am all for it, but there is also a reason this area is known for summer outdoor weddings. However, whether you are planning a spring, summer, fall, or winter wedding the process can still be overwhelming and stressful. It is always a good idea to hire a wedding planner to have someone who has been through it all in your corner helping you in every step along the way. If you found this article helpful and want to chat further, head on over to the services page for my packages and pricing information. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or leave a comment below!

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