You’ve finished planning your wedding, the venue is set up and everything is ready for your perfect wedding day, but then you see the forecast is set for rain and your heart sinks. Rain on your wedding day may sound ironic (thanks, Alanis!), but it can actually be a blessing in disguise for your wedding photos, especially if prepared for properly. As a photographer who has worked with rain at a lot of weddings, I’ve come to see it as an opportunity to capture some arty and magical images that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. Here’s how we can turn a drizzly day into a magical one!

Enjoy x

Preparing for the unexpected

First things first, always have a Plan B. When planning your wedding, especially if you're opting for an outdoor venue or ceremony, always make sure there is a back up venue if rain does arrive. E.g. an indoor space or covered outdoor areas like a marquee. I always encourage my couples to embrace the possibility of rain and plan accordingly, with umbrellas and canopies that can add a whimsical touch to any ceremony or reception.

“Umbrellas and canopies that can add a whimsical touch to any ceremony or reception.”

Rainy day lighting

As well as shielding you from the rain, the right umbrella can make a great prop to enhance your wedding photos. I always recommend using clear white umbrellas as they won’t cover your faces or diffuse the lighting or white balance. I always have a couple of these umbrellas stored in my car that we can use!

There’s nothing worse than trying to enjoy your wedding reception with wet feet so I always recommend bringing some spare footwear you can change into - they don’t have to be fancy, once we’ve taken the formal group photos your shoes won’t be featured in many photos!

Rain Makes Creative Photos

Rain can create a very atmospheric backdrop, which is a photographer’s dream! It can level up your couple portraits to have a romantic, cinematic feel (depending on how adventurous you’re feeling!) It’s moments like these that often end up being the most memorable shots of the day.

“Rain can create a very atmospheric backdrop, which is a photographer’s dream!”

If the rain continues into the evening, we can get creative with nighttime photography. The combination of rain and different light sources – like string lights at your venue – can create spectacular, sparkly effects with the raindrops illuminated against the night sky. Plus at this stage of the day it doesn’t matter if your hair and clothes get a bit wet!

Embracing The Moment

My top advice to all my couples is simply to embrace the day, whatever the weather. If it does rain, have fun and take it as part of the adventure. It’ll be part of your story and may even be some of your favourite photos from the day. Some of the most heartfelt moments come when you let go and just enjoy your special day so try as best to be present!

Prepare for flexibility

I totally understand not all your guests will be up for getting a little bit wet - especially after planning their outfit and getting their hair done nicely for your special day! With that in mind I will always have a rain-free option for capturing photos, whether that’s taking them inside against a nice backdrop, underneath a sheltered roof or swapping the schedule around slightly so that we take family photos later in the day.

Conclusion

Whilst sunshine is often the dream for a wedding day, rain needn’t dampen your spirits or your photos. With a little preparation and a spirit of adventure, a bit of rain on your wedding day can add some extra fun and magic. Remember, it’s not about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about dancing in the rain – and capturing every beautiful moment of it!