It never rains in Kona . . . right?

Yes and no . . . well, it depends.

I promise you it's not as simple as that.

The leeward or "dry" side of the island gets about 20 to 35 inches a year. Not a lot at all, but it's massive when it's on your wedding day and you're caught without a plan. Have a solid plan B, AND have an emergency plan just in case... So plan C? YES that's right, because it's that important. Above all have an honest discussion with your planner about what you would want to do in case rain is on the horizon. When do you make those decisions? WHO makes those decisions? And of course how can we still make it beautiful.

Along with the inconvenience of getting wet and cold if it rains on your wedding, there are safety concerns that you should pay special attention to. It's always a good idea to provide railings for steep steps and inclines, but especially important on a rainy day. You should also consider some mats where guests enter your covered area, whether it be a tent or your home, somewhere they can wipe off wet shoes to prevent slipping. Some venues have mats tucked away. An experienced planner is worth their weight in gold when it comes to handling alternate set ups, when to make the call and venue knowledge.

"What happens to everything that was already set up, but is now caught in the rain"?

This might be a good time to introduce insurance. I can't stress enough that insurance is so important, but more important if you're hosting at your own home. If your planner is experienced, she/he should discuss insurance, who it covers and your liability for the items you rent.

"What if I put this decision off and now, a week out the weather man is calling for high winds and heavy rain"?

DON'T SLEEP ON THIS. We're on a island, period. You cannot get things from another state or even another island within weeks when a local vendor is booked up. The time to plant a tree us 20 years ago . . .we the time to plan for a back up tent is when you book your vendors.