How to Make the Most of a Rainy Wedding Day

The thought of photographing a wedding outside in the rain used to fill me with great fear. However, covering several rainy weddings over the past few seasons has taught me that rain is not such a bad thing at all. In fact, there are definite benefits: the cloud cover diffuses light beautifully, eliminating harsh shadows that you’d get with direct sunlight. You can also get quite creative with lighting, raindrops, umbrellas, and puddle reflections. A rainy wedding day can make your photos really stand out, rather than being a downer.

If you’re worried about rain on your wedding day, here are a few ideas to help you prepare for it and enjoy it.

Think about rain right from the start

When choosing a venue, check if there are any attractive covered areas or indoor spaces where you would be happy to have your photos taken, especially if you’re getting married at a time of year when the weather can be a bit unpredictable. If you’ve already chosen a photographer, ask them to visit the venue and give their opinion as well.

Happy to get wet?

Consider in advance whether you’re comfortable with your dress getting a bit wet or possibly muddy during your photo shoot, or if that’s definitely a no-go for you. Most wedding photos are taken just before dinner, so you’ll be sitting down for a while afterwards, and no one will see the bottom of your dress—it may even face worse treatment on the dance floor later! However, this is a completely personal choice. Decide on this before your wedding and discuss it with your photographer, so you can work together to find a suitable solution.

Relax and embrace it!

Rather than feeling sad about the weather, embrace the rain and have a bit of fun with it. After all, it’s your best day ever! Photos in the rain can be stunning and enjoyable. If you’re not too worried about getting a bit wet, it’s usually easy enough to find a large tree to shelter under, and white or transparent umbrellas can add a lovely touch to your photos. Ask your photographer for their ideas as well.

Make sure you have (the right) umbrellas

I always carry a set of matching umbrellas in my car for any wedding. Ask your photographer if they will provide umbrellas in case it rains. If you need to get your own, transparent or white umbrellas are the best options. Strongly coloured umbrellas can cast an undesirable tint on your face, and black umbrellas can make everything look rather dark.

Bring a pair of sensible shoes

Put a pair of wellies or trainers in your bag and change into them before your photo shoot; you won’t see them under your dress. This will keep your wedding shoes clean, and you can easily hitch up your dress to walk from location to location. You’ll also find that you can move around much quicker, which is handy if you don’t want to be out in the rain for too long.

Allow a bit of time to clean up

If you’re having your photos taken just before your wedding breakfast, allow for an extra 20 minutes or so to take a deep breath and regroup before you go in. Your bridesmaids can help you wash out any dirt from the bottom of your dress in the bathroom and dry it with the hand dryer (I’ve seen it done and it works brilliantly!).

Know when to call it a day

While I’m quite comfortable shooting in the rain, there are limits. If you’re faced with torrential downpours and gale-force winds, you won’t want to be outside for more than a few quick shots. Even if you’re not too concerned about your dress, if you’re cold and uncomfortable, it will show in your photographs, and that’s not ideal for your wedding photos.

Take your wedding photos on a different day

Not many couples consider this, but there’s no reason why you have to take your wedding photos on your actual wedding day. Taking them before or after your wedding can alleviate the time pressure on the day and gives you the flexibility to reschedule in case of bad weather. Ask your photographer if they offer pre- or post-wedding shoots, and you might even get a discount if you book it alongside your wedding photography package.