How GoodDayTo judges outdoor wedding weather
An outdoor wedding decision affects guests, formal clothing, décor, sound equipment, temporary structures, vendors and a schedule that is difficult to move. GoodDayTo therefore evaluates the complete selected ceremony or reception window, not one attractive hour in isolation.
The page selector checks continuous 1-, 3- or 5-hour blocks. A Planner request uses its full requested duration. Every selected hour contributes rain, wind, gust, temperature, UV and severe-weather evidence before the window receives GO, WAIT or NOT TODAY.
- Complete-window rain
- Rain probability
- Wind & gusts
- Guest comfort temperature
- UV exposure
- Severe-weather signals
💍 Rain boundaries for the selected window
- NOT TODAY cap: at least 0.5 mm forecast precipitation across the window, or at least 70% rain probability in any selected hour.
- WAIT cap: at least 0.1 mm across the window, or at least 40% probability in any selected hour.
- GO remains possible: the complete window stays below those rain thresholds and the other measured factors are favourable.
Why one wet hour changes the answer
A ceremony can start dry and still be disrupted before photographs, drinks or the reception move indoors. The shared window rule prevents two pleasant hours from averaging away a rainy final hour. Severe-weather caps remain stronger than the ordinary rain thresholds.
A practical example
Suppose a three-hour outdoor wedding window has mild temperatures and light wind from 15:00 to 18:00. The first two hours are dry, but the 17:00 forecast reaches 75% rain probability. GoodDayTo caps the full three-hour result at NOT TODAY instead of calling it GO from the surrounding dry hours. If the highest probability were 45% with no stronger signal, the ceiling would be WAIT.
What the score measures—and what it cannot know
The score uses hourly forecast precipitation and probability, sustained wind, gusts, air and apparent temperature, UV and severe-weather codes. It does not know whether a marquee is correctly anchored, whether the ground drains well, how exposed the ceremony area is, or what limits apply to staging, power, décor and catering.
It also does not include air quality, flooding, local lightning detection, guest-specific health needs, vendor contracts or the venue's cancellation rules. Keep a venue-approved contingency even when the answer is GO, and follow official warnings and venue or vendor procedures whenever they are stricter.
How to use the result
Choose the location, select the duration that covers the real outdoor portion, and use the best practical window shown on the result card. Expand the details for the main positive and caution factors. If the event has separate outdoor periods, check each one or describe the complete period in the Activity Planner.
Use How scores work for the shared verdict rules and the outdoor-event planning guide for a broader Plan A/Plan B checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Does GoodDayTo check the whole outdoor wedding window?
Yes. It scores each continuous hour in the selected ceremony or reception window. A strong rain signal in one selected hour cannot be softened into GO by dry surrounding hours.
What rain levels trigger WAIT or NOT TODAY?
At least 0.5 mm across the selected window, or 70% rain probability in any selected hour, caps the result at NOT TODAY. At least 0.1 mm or 40% probability caps it at WAIT.
Can I use this to choose a wedding date a year away?
No. This is a short-range hourly planning tool. A distant wedding date needs climate context and a robust backup plan, not a forecast that does not yet exist.
Does GO mean I can cancel the indoor backup?
No. GO only describes the measured short-range forecast factors. Keep the venue-approved contingency and follow official warnings, venue procedures and vendor limits.
Does the score certify tents, stages or electrical equipment?
No. GoodDayTo does not know the engineering ratings, drainage, anchoring, evacuation plan or vendor requirements for a specific site.