A little rain on your wedding day? Call it bad (but good) luck. But a hurricane on your wedding day? Um, no, thank you. The National Hurricane Center released its 2018 storm predictions, and there’s apparently an anticipated 75 percent chance the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be “near- or above-normal.” Here’s what you need to know.
The devastation caused by 2017 hurricanes like Irma, Harvey and Maria have put National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists on high alert to make sure everyone is as informed and prepared as possible this year. Overall, the NOAA is forecasting 10 to 16 named storms, 5 to 9 of which could turn into hurricanes. Of those potential hurricanes, 1 to 4 could include major hurricanes (categorized by winds of 111 mph or higher).
But don’t panic. Hurricane season rolls around every year, and the most important thing to do is plan ahead and be smart. Atlantic hurricane season typically lasts from June 1 to November 30, often peaking in late August or September. And yes, this is also prime wedding and honeymoon season—ugh.
Now’s the time to do some research to see if your wedding or honeymoon destination might be susceptible to dangerous weather during hurricane months. Destinations along the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea are often hit with the worst weather, meaning states like Florida, Louisiana, Texas and North Carolina, as well as several Caribbean islands, including Antigua, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands, have been known to experience pretty scary storms.
So what does this mean for you? If you’re saying “I do” in a place where a hurricane could rain on your parade, make sure you’ve taken these key, preventative steps. Always have a plan B for an outdoor wedding venue—talk to your venue manager and lock in a backup space in case of bad weather. On the off chance you experience something as extreme as cancelling your wedding due to a hurricane, study your vendor contracts to understand each cancellation/refund policy. Finally, bite the bullet and get yourselves some wedding insurance. This will protect you from unforeseen events that could otherwise cost you thousands of dollars.
Think a hurricane could be en route to crash your wedding day? Here’s everything you need to do.
