Rain on your wedding day can feel like a disaster when you’re watching the forecast. On the day, though, most couples barely notice. A bit of planning takes away most of the worry, and bad weather can give you photos you’d never have got on a clear day.
Have a wet-weather plan
- Ask your venue early. Find out where the ceremony, drinks and group shots would move to if it rains.
- Pack some umbrellas. Clear or plain ones look best in photos, and they’re handy for portraits.
- Think about footwear. A spare pair of shoes for the walk across the grass goes a long way.
- Stay flexible. Timings can move if there’s a dry spell, so let your photographer know you’re happy to go outside at short notice.
Why rain can be good for your photos
Overcast skies give soft, flattering light, with none of the harsh shadows you get in bright sun. Rain brings out colours, and umbrellas add something fun to do with your hands. And when the weather clears, the light that follows can be beautiful.
At the Moremans’ November wedding, a rainbow arched over the gardens just as the light was going. We ran outside, and it gave us a few minutes I’ll never forget. You can see the full story in Mr & Mrs Moreman’s wedding.
Wind is good for something too
A breezy day can be even better than a still one. The wind picking up the veil gave us some of my favourite portraits, as you can see in the Collins’ wedding.
The most important thing
Your guests take their cue from you. If you’re laughing under an umbrella, everyone else will be too, and those are often the photos couples love most.
