An Umbrella Is Not a Rain Plan: What Couples Should Know About Live Music & Florida Weather

There are few things more beautiful than an outdoor wedding in Florida.

There are also few things more unpredictable.

One minute, the sky is blue, the string quartet is playing, and your guests are finding their seats. Ten minutes later, a tiny gray cloud has materialized out of nowhere and apparently chosen your ceremony as its personal destination.

Welcome to Florida.

We love outdoor ceremonies. Truly. Gardens, courtyards, waterfront estates and historic venues are some of our favorite places to perform.

But when you’re planning live music outdoors, there is one very important distinction to understand:

An umbrella is not a rain plan.

So…what is the umbrella for?

Large patio umbrellas can be wonderful for musicians during an outdoor ceremony—particularly in Florida.

They provide shade from direct sunlight, help keep musicians more comfortable in the heat, and offer some protection from prolonged sun exposure.

In other words, an umbrella is primarily a courtesy for sun protection.

What it generally isn’t is sufficient shelter from active rain.

And that’s because musicians aren’t the only things underneath it.

There are instruments.

Microphones.

Cables.

Mixers.

Speakers.

Tablets and electronic devices.

And, depending on the ensemble and production, potentially thousands—or tens of thousands—of dollars’ worth of equipment.

But the instruments are under the umbrella. Isn’t that enough?

Unfortunately, rain rarely falls politely downward in a perfectly straight line.

Wind can blow rain underneath an umbrella. Water can drip from its edges. Moisture can accumulate on the ground. A musician may technically be sitting beneath the umbrella while the instrument, bow, music stand, cables or other equipment extend beyond its protected area.

And string instruments are particularly sensitive to moisture.

Violins, violas and cellos are constructed from carefully seasoned woods held together in part with traditional glues designed specifically for instrument making. Excessive humidity and water exposure can affect seams, wood, varnish, strings and other components.

Add electrical equipment to the equation, and rain becomes a safety concern as well.

That’s why an umbrella overhead doesn’t automatically mean conditions are safe for a live performance.

What happens if it actually starts raining?

Our musicians will not perform in active rain.

Even beneath an umbrella.

That doesn’t mean a single mysterious Florida raindrop immediately sends the quartet running for the hills. We assess conditions reasonably.

But when rain becomes active or conditions threaten the safety of the musicians, instruments or equipment, the performance needs to move to a properly sheltered location.

A true rain backup should provide complete overhead protection and sufficient protection from wind-driven rain, with enough space for the entire ensemble, instruments and any necessary equipment.

A covered patio, indoor ceremony space, substantial tent or another venue-approved sheltered location can make an excellent Plan B.

A patio umbrella?

That’s Plan Shade.

Your musicians want your outdoor ceremony, too

Nobody arrives at a gorgeous outdoor venue secretly hoping to relocate the ceremony indoors.

We have planned the music. We’ve dressed for the occasion. We’ve hauled the cello across Florida. We want that beautiful garden ceremony just as much as you do.

But part of hiring professional musicians is hiring people who know when conditions are no longer safe for professional instruments and equipment.

And the best time to make that decision isn’t while 100 guests are seated and everyone is staring suspiciously at an approaching cloud.

It’s before the wedding day.

When you’re touring your venue, ask:

“If it rains during the ceremony, where exactly will my musicians perform?”

If the answer is simply, “Don’t worry—we have an umbrella,” it’s worth having another conversation.

Because Florida weather is unpredictable.

Your rain plan shouldn’t be.

A little planning makes a big difference

At Perle Noire Strings, we work with our couples, planners and venues ahead of the wedding day to make sure outdoor performances have appropriate accommodations and weather contingencies.

Because beautiful live music deserves a beautiful setting—and your wedding musicians shouldn’t have to choose between finishing Can’t Help Falling in Love and saving a 200-year-old violin from a thunderstorm.

Planning an outdoor Florida wedding? Ask us about live string music for your ceremony, cocktail hour or reception, and we’ll help you think through the musical details—including the glamorous subject of where we’re going if Florida decides to Florida.

Pictures below: an excellent sun plan. A considerably less excellent rain plan.