I think this may be the thing couples fear the most…what if it rains on your wedding day?? You spend months planning every last detail of your perfect day, but the one thing you have no control over is the weather. This is England, so the chances of rain are pretty high and you could end up with a sprinkling of the wet stuff even in the middle of summer.
Believe it or not, rain can actually enhance your photos. It makes colours pop, creates wonderful reflections on the ground and the cloudy skies act like a big diffuser, creating the most soft flattering light, so it’s not all bad.
If the forecast is looking wet, here are my top 5 tips for a rainy wedding day, how to prepare for rain on your wedding day and how to use it to your advantage to get the best photos…
Have a rainy day back up plan
If you’re getting married outside and the weather forecast is predicting rain, it may be worth having a Plan B to fall back on. Trust me, you don’t want to be stressing about this on the morning, so if you’re prepared for rain ahead of time, you can enjoy your day without worry.
One option is to hire a marquee to ensure you and your guests stay dry during the “I Do’s”. Clear marquees are fabulous and look wonderful in photographs, they blend in with your lovely surroundings and still allow you to have that ‘outside’ feel. Another option is to ensure you choose a venue which has an undercover space or an alternative light filled space indoors which you could use during rainy spells.
Whatever type of venue you choose to book, it’s always a good idea to think about what your options are if the weather isn’t on your side, talk to your co-ordinator and have a plan in place.
Have umbrellas to hand
Make sure you have enough umbrellas for at least your bridal party. If it does rain you will need them to get to & from the car/church/ceremony/reception without getting wet. If you want to supply a large amount of umbrellas, then it may be worth hiring them for the day. Why not add baskets full of umbrellas outside your venue as a thoughtful gesture for your guests.
There are many places you can purchase or hire from, and they come in all different colours, but I would always recommend CLEAR umbrellas (or white as an alternative). The reason for this is because coloured umbrellas can cast odd coloured shadows on your skin which isn’t the most flattering and something we want to avoid in your photos!
Clear umbrellas allow light to shine through and have a way of disappearing into the background, rather than becoming a distraction. Umbrellas can add another dimension to your photos and it gives me the opportunity to capture some lovely creative shots that wouldn’t otherwise happen on a dry day.
Think about your footwear
I’m sure you chose your venue because it was in a beautiful setting, and we want to take advantage of that whatever the weather! If it does rain on your wedding day then it is well worth having a pair of wellies on hand. Keep them somewhere easily accessible so you can pop them on quickly if you need them. You wont ruin your beautiful wedding shoes and your feet will stay dry – they also add a fun element to your photos and why not colour coordinate them to match your wedding theme!?
Alternative Photo Locations
When deciding on your venue, consider what would happen if it rains on your wedding day – especially if your planning an outdoor ceremony. Do they have an undercover area outside large enough to host your guests? Can they provide a marquee? Is there a bright & airy room inside thats large enough to use as an alternative space if it’s wet?
These are all questions to ask when you view potential wedding venues. I have photographed weddings in all kinds of weather conditions over the years, so I am used to thinking on my feet and finding dry spaces for your photos, but I can’t move your whole ceremony so you do need a back up plan for that!!
I always prefer to capture your family photos, group shots and portraits outside in natural light whenever possible. If it’s raining when its time for your photos, then I will scout out potential undercover areas outside that we can use so that you stay dry, or if that isn’t feasible, then I will look for a space inside your venue with big windows and lots of natural light instead. Fear not! We will get amazing photos whatever the weather!!
Go with the flow
The best advice I can give you is to not let it spoil your day. You will still get epic photos, and as long as you have a plan, go with the flow and don’t stress about the weather, I PROMISE the rain won’t matter at all. Trust your photographer to do their job, go with their suggestions and be flexible. You may have to change photo locations or work around the rain showers, but after shooting in gale force winds, torrential rain and thunder storms, I can safely say that my couples photos were just as beautiful as the sunny weddings I have photographed. Make sure you choose a photographer who has experience at handling any kind of weather scenario, and if in doubt ask to see a rainy wedding gallery to put your mind at ease.
Still worried about rain on your Wedding Day?
Rain on your wedding day is said to be good luck for a long-lasting marriage! According to tradition, a knot that becomes wet is extremely hard to untie – therefore, when you “tie the knot” on a rainy day, your marriage is supposedly just as hard to undo!
Rain on your wedding day is not a bad thing, just take a look at these rainy weddings for proof!
