Alanis Morissette songs aside, rain on your wedding day really isn't very ironic ... but it is frustrating! When you spend so much time and energy arranging the perfect day, it can be tough to have something as simple and uncompromising as the weather thwarting your plans.
The big question facing brides & grooms all over the world (even here in the desert) is: What DO you do if it rains on your wedding day? When choosing backup options for your ceremony and reception, I refer you to the experts: your wedding planner and the venues themselves. But I do have a few suggestions for some steps you can take, even if your best-day-ever is full of rain:
1. Find open, covered space
Covered walkways, courtyards with large overhangs, wide porches, spaces with sheltering trees ... look for places that offer shelter from the rain without sacrificing the light. It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of natural light for portraits, and I've found that even in drizzly weather, there are typically locations that offer cover while still allowing in plenty of light. Confer with your photographer and wedding planner about finding these kind of locations at or near your venue.
The big question facing brides & grooms all over the world (even here in the desert) is: What DO you do if it rains on your wedding day? When choosing backup options for your ceremony and reception, I refer you to the experts: your wedding planner and the venues themselves. But I do have a few suggestions for some steps you can take, even if your best-day-ever is full of rain:
1. Find open, covered space
Covered walkways, courtyards with large overhangs, wide porches, spaces with sheltering trees ... look for places that offer shelter from the rain without sacrificing the light. It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of natural light for portraits, and I've found that even in drizzly weather, there are typically locations that offer cover while still allowing in plenty of light. Confer with your photographer and wedding planner about finding these kind of locations at or near your venue.
2. Employ umbrellas
When you think about taking shelter from the rain in everyday life, you think of umbrellas. So why not for weddings?! I love clear, rounded umbrellas, because they allow plenty of light to come through to illuminate your face. In the photos below, we used a mix of this type of umbrella and simple, white umbrellas, and the combination was perfect! It's best to stay away from black umbrellas that completely block the light to your face whenever possible. If rain seems at all likely on your wedding day, it can be a good idea to plan ahead and order enough umbrellas for the wedding party, just in case. This is where we purchased ours!
When you think about taking shelter from the rain in everyday life, you think of umbrellas. So why not for weddings?! I love clear, rounded umbrellas, because they allow plenty of light to come through to illuminate your face. In the photos below, we used a mix of this type of umbrella and simple, white umbrellas, and the combination was perfect! It's best to stay away from black umbrellas that completely block the light to your face whenever possible. If rain seems at all likely on your wedding day, it can be a good idea to plan ahead and order enough umbrellas for the wedding party, just in case. This is where we purchased ours!
3. Head indoors
If there are no open, covered spaces to use and the deluge is too intense for umbrellas, you'll probably need to retreat indoors for your portraits. Large windows and bright white spaces will be your best friends in this situation, so again I recommend working with your wedding planner to find your best options at or near your venue. If the weather report suggests that you'll need to move your portraits indoors, be sure to talk with your photographer so that they are prepared for the possibility of needing to use flash.
If there are no open, covered spaces to use and the deluge is too intense for umbrellas, you'll probably need to retreat indoors for your portraits. Large windows and bright white spaces will be your best friends in this situation, so again I recommend working with your wedding planner to find your best options at or near your venue. If the weather report suggests that you'll need to move your portraits indoors, be sure to talk with your photographer so that they are prepared for the possibility of needing to use flash.
4. Keep calm and carry on!
Let's face it, in every wedding on the planet, there is probably SOMETHING that doesn't go to according plan. But that doesn't have to ruin your day! If you stay in the moment and roll with the changes, you'll be able to cherish the memories of your wedding day instead of dwelling on the hiccups. As you can see in the photos above, making graceful and good-natured concessions to the weather can allow you to get gorgeous images while fully enjoying your day at the same time!
Whether you have a light sprinkle or a major downpour, I hope you find these suggestions helpful! And when you look back on those damp wedding portraits in 10 years time, I bet you'll remember the joy of the day far more than you remember the weather!
-----------> If you DO find yourself facing last minute challenges like rain, your amazing wedding vendors will be your lifeline. So it's crucial that you find the right vendors for your team! We want to help with that search! We've created a convenient form to help you track and compare your top 3 vendors in each category. Click here to download a FREE form to help you through the decision-making process! Download your FREE copy today!
Let's face it, in every wedding on the planet, there is probably SOMETHING that doesn't go to according plan. But that doesn't have to ruin your day! If you stay in the moment and roll with the changes, you'll be able to cherish the memories of your wedding day instead of dwelling on the hiccups. As you can see in the photos above, making graceful and good-natured concessions to the weather can allow you to get gorgeous images while fully enjoying your day at the same time!
Whether you have a light sprinkle or a major downpour, I hope you find these suggestions helpful! And when you look back on those damp wedding portraits in 10 years time, I bet you'll remember the joy of the day far more than you remember the weather!
-----------> If you DO find yourself facing last minute challenges like rain, your amazing wedding vendors will be your lifeline. So it's crucial that you find the right vendors for your team! We want to help with that search! We've created a convenient form to help you track and compare your top 3 vendors in each category. Click here to download a FREE form to help you through the decision-making process! Download your FREE copy today!
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