When you're from New Jersey, hurricanes aren't really much of a thought. Yes, there are hurricanes that have made landfall here, but let's be honest, this isn't Miami. We're much more prepared for snowstorms than say, Alabama, but that state can prepare for a hurricane way better than we could. Hurricanes and other tropical storms are so few and far between up this way, that no one really thinks about them. When a hurricane does enter the forecast, many are quick to say that the media is just hyping it up, or they ignore it until it becomes a real problem.

Like Superstorm Sandy.

We were not prepared for that storm. Media "hype" just made people run to the grocery stores and buy incorrect things like milk, eggs and other items requiring refrigeration. A power outage? Many people heard that and didn't realize that it could be days or weeks before the power came back on. Some places down the shore went over a month without power, and as far inland as Western Jersey? Towns were without power for 8 days.

"Our" hurricane season in the Northeast coincides with wedding season. Yet with all of the planning that goes on, even if there is a Plan B for outdoor weddings, there rarely is a Plan C for power outages and flooding. Sandy taught everyone in the wedding industry some powerful lessons, but the problem is, many people have forgotten them. Now, we're reminded as Hurricane Joaquin is set to possibly make landfall this Saturday. During wedding season.

How do you prepare for a possible hurricane to make a guest appearance on your wedding day? Answer: In advance. No game time decisions, no playing it by ear. None of that. We need to remember what Superstorm Sandy was like and prepare in advance. This weekend might not be (it better not be) equivalent to that storm, but that doesn't mean it can't and won't happen again.

To begin with: generators. Everyone rushed to purchase these before/during/after Sandy and when the power came back on, there were commercials for them everywhere. When planning your wedding, it's a good idea (no, it's a great idea) to find out if they have a backup generator. What do they do when a storm hits? What does their contract say? Is there an "Act of God" clause in there basically allowing them to cancel the wedding because Mother Nature is having a rotten day? Do you get your money back or can you switch the date? Is that something you even want to consider?

Those are just a few questions... and that's just for the venue. I asked a bunch of venue coordinators after Sandy if they had generators and was surprised to hear that many of them didn't. For one reason or another, the person that makes those decisions, didn't feel it was necessary. Do not assume your venue has one. Ask.

Power outages also mean that no one can charge their cell phones. Kinda difficult to communicate with your vendors through smoke signals. Best thing about a hurricane is that is comes with advance notice. As a planner, I reach out to all of the vendors to go over every last detail and we put together a plan of how we're going to communicate. And we all charge our cell phones as much as possible.

Check your vendor contracts as well and see if there is any mention of them not being able to show up in the event of a hurricane. Many couples ask vendors what their back up plan is if they are unable to work their wedding, and the answer is always that they have someone else cover for them. That's great in the event that a vendor gets sick or has a family emergency, but a hurricane can make everyone unavailable. What then? That is a question you need to know the answer to.

Your guests will also be reaching out asking what their back up plan is and how will they be notified if the wedding is postponed. Time to hand out your planner's phone number (or if you don't have one, put your Maid of Honor in charge of this) and direct them to that person with their questions. As a bride or a groom, the last thing you need to hear are constant questions about what everyone else is going to do if your wedding is postponed. I also suggest updating your wedding website with the contact information of both the venue and the hotel block if you're using one.

Speaking of hotel block, before you set one up, ask about their generator plans as well. If they can keep the power going, all the more reason to set up a block with them.

If you have any portion of your wedding happening outdoors, find out when the call needs to be made to move it inside. Some venues want a week's notice while others can make the call the same day. You will not be able to change their minds on this, so find out their policy before you book. Then find out where you will be moved to and all of the details included.

When your location gets moved, notify all of the vendors immediately of the address change. Speak to them over the phone and then confirm it in writing. If your location is getting moved to an address that GPS doesn't recognize, then give your vendors (and your guests) directions to the new location.

Speak with your photographer and videographer about outside plans. Is there a back up location and how soon do they need to know about it? Rely on their recommendations for places to go because they will know better than you. If you're forced to take pictures inside your venue, check with the venue on the timing of when everything will be set up. It doesn't matter how great your photo/video team is, a picture of a wedding party while linens are being placed in the background is not cute. Just like you picked your location for pictures prior to the wedding in advance, line up a back up location complete with timing just in case you're brought indoors. And make sure that back up location is accessible, doesn't require a permit (if so, get one), and that the power will be on/they have a generator if it goes out.

Any vendors making deliveries to your venue, including florists, rentals, bakers, food trucks, and so forth, need to be communicated with the week of your wedding as the forecast unfolds. Make sure that they and all of your vendors have a person to contact with their questions, especially on the day of the wedding. That person, is not you and should be your planner. But if you laugh in the face of danger and didn't hire one, put a level headed person in charge of fielding questions. Not a bad idea to connect all of your vendors as well so that they can reach each other if your point person becomes unreachable.

These are just a few suggestions on how to prepare when your wedding day might be impacted by a hurricane. It's stressful, so turn off The Weather Channel and tell everyone to stop talking to you about it. Have your point person set up when guests start to panic and need to call to say that they are no longer coming. Plan in advance and let the professionals take over, especially your planner. Many of us learned a lot going through Superstorm Sandy, and experience is the best teacher. As long as you're working with a team of vendors that is ready, prepared and not going to let a little drizzle stop the party, you've done everything you can already do.

To everyone getting married in the Northeast this weekend, I'm doing my "anti-hurricane" dance for you.

And to my couple getting married this weekend... your venue and hotel block both have generators. And you're still going out in the rain for awesome pictures.