Best way to tell guests about a rain plan or venue change
Last updated
Send an individual SMS to every guest as soon as the decision is made, and repeat it two hours before the ceremony. Text is the only channel that reliably reaches people who are already traveling: SMS is opened about 98% of the time and usually read within three minutes, while your wedding website and email will be missed by most guests on the day. Do not rely on a group chat, a website banner, or word of mouth through the wedding party.
What to send, in order
- Decision text, immediately: what changed, the new location or time, and one sentence of reassurance.
- Logistics text, same day: parking, shuttle, umbrellas, footwear, what to do if they are already en route.
- Reminder text, two hours before: the new detail again, short, with an address link.
Wording that works
- "Rain call: ceremony moves indoors to the Barn at 4pm. Same address, same time. Stay dry, see you soon."
- "Update from Sam and Alex: ceremony is now 5pm at Oak Hall (12 Main St). Everything else is unchanged."
- "Heads up: the shuttle now leaves the hotel at 3:15pm, 30 minutes earlier than printed."
Why not the group chat
Group threads cap out around 20 to 32 people, exclude anyone on a different phone platform, and turn one important update into forty replies. Individual delivery keeps the message readable and keeps guest phone numbers private.
Common questions
How fast can I reach every guest?
A send goes out to your whole list at once and most guests read it within a few minutes. That is why day-of changes are the single most common reason couples sign up.
Can I write the message in advance?
Yes. Draft a rain-plan message ahead of time and schedule or hold it, then send with one tap if you need it.
Can I send from my phone instead of a laptop?
Yes. After setup you can text our number from your own phone and we confirm before broadcasting it to your guests.