PNW Fire Season: How to Plan Your Fire Season Wedding
Planning a wedding in the Pacific Northwest comes with its fair share of weather-related uncertainties, and with wildfires becoming increasingly common, it’s essential to prepare for all eventualities. If you’re dreaming of a wilderness wedding during fire season (typically August through September), it’s crucial to have a plan in place to keep everyone safe and ensure your special day isn’t ruined by unforeseen circumstances. In our 14 years as wedding photographers, we’ve seen our fair share of interesting circumstances including those that happened during the PNW Fire Season.
A few years ago, we were in the middle of photographing a wedding when everyone’s cell phones sounded with the emergency alarm. Evacuation orders were sent out (accidentally) to everyone from Index to Mukilteo. If you’re not familiar with the area, it’s about a 50-mile drive and way out of the normal radius given the wildfire was in Index. It was a total fluke and corrected within minutes, however it raised some serious questions with the vendors who were present.
Obviously, something like this is generally covered under our Force Majeure clauses, BUT we’re not ones to just pack up and walk out. The vendors gathered together to quickly discuss if we waited for additional orders or posed potential evacuation options to our couple. As someone who likes to have backup plans for EVERYTHING, this was something I hadn’t considered happening (especially given that we were 30 miles from the wildfire to begin with).
Natural Disaster Considerations
First and foremost, in the event of a wildfire or other natural disaster, it’s essential to know your options. Are your vendors and venue willing to reschedule? Be sure to read through your contracts in depth. Most vendors will have a Force Majeure Clause which would cover these scenarios. Is relocation a possibility? I’ve seen many cases where couples have needed to relocate their weddings 24-72 hours in advance. While it seems a little “Doomsday” to ask ahead of time, check with your vendors and the venue to see if they have a backup network. Some venues even own multiple locations and might be able to transfer your wedding in the event it’s necessary. And what if, in the worst-case scenario, your venue is destroyed? These are all questions you’ll want to address early on in your planning process.
A PNW Fire Season Plan
While no one wants to cancel or postpone their wedding, safety should always come first. As vendors, our priority is ensuring you have the wedding of your dreams, but we also want to avoid putting anyone’s lives at risk. That’s why having a PNW Fire Season plan in place is crucial.
Start by assessing the area surrounding your wedding location. Is there an off-site venue you could potentially move to if necessary? If not, what would your next steps be in the event of an evacuation? Review your vendor contracts carefully, paying close attention to Force Majeure clauses, and discuss potential options with your vendors in advance.
Stay informed by monitoring the emergency division website and have a plan in place to contact vendors and guests immediately if a fire threatens your venue.
Preventing the Worst Case Scenario
In addition to planning for the possibility of a wildfire affecting your wedding, it’s also essential to do your part to prevent wildfires in the first place. This is one of the many reasons some venues do not allow open flames or sparklers. Streamers, battery operated tea lights and other beautiful, fire safe options are available on Amazon. Bonus, you can sell these items on Facebook Marketplace or check with your coordinator to see if they already have them in their stash.
In the event that you’re forced to evacuate during your wedding, it’s crucial to stay calm and have a plan in place. Pack essentials, designate a meeting point for guests and vendors, and discuss potential next steps with your vendors, including whether to continue the festivities elsewhere or reschedule. If you’ll be getting hitched during fire season, consider having the conversation with vendors ahead of time, so there are no hidden surprises should the worst case scenario happen.
While planning a PNW fire season wedding may seem daunting, being prepared and having a solid plan in place can help ensure that your special day goes off without a hitch. By staying informed, communicating with your vendors, and prioritizing safety, you can navigate wildfire season with confidence and peace of mind.
