What If It Rains On Your Wedding
I have attended weddings in the rain and shot weddings in the rain. It happens! The weather is one of, if not the biggest thing couples worry about on their wedding day. I have a few things tips and ideas that may make you feel better if you see rain on your forecast. The most important take away is the rain does not ruin weddings, a hurricane otherwise or tornado maybe - but a rainy day can be made into a fun memory and not a reason for panic. Also, have you see The Notebook? I mean, the rain is mega romantic.
How a Rainy Day Can Be Better Than Sun
→Firstly, clouds act like a giant diffuser over the sun. They spread the light, which eliminates harsh shadows, reduces squinting and gives us soft, even light with better skin tones which is actually ideal for photos. So that’s already on your side.
You can also get really moody skies, which add drama and atmosphere to your photos. A clear blue sky is nice, but a textured sky with clouds often makes photos look much more interesting and dynamic.
Reflections in puddles can also make for really creative photos. Not every couple gets that opportunity on their wedding day, so it can actually make your photos feel more unique and different.
Night photos are always a great way to end the day, but if it’s raining and we do a backlit rain photo, that’s a whole different level. The raindrops light up and it looks dramatic and cinematic - and those often end up being favourite photos. I actually don’t think I have a night shot in the rain! But here is one the snow so you get the idea.
Have a Backup Plan
Outdoor ceremonies always need a rain plan. That’s mostly the venue’s responsibility, but your photographer also needs to be prepared for it. When you’re searching for a photographer, a good question to ask is whether they have experience photographing indoor ceremonies and low-light situations. Because if they don’t, it can be a real problem.
For example, my sister-in-law hired a less experienced photographer (against my advice), and her wedding day ended up being torrential rain and wind. In all the years I’ve been photographing weddings, hers was by far the craziest weather I’ve ever seen and I wasn’t even the photographer (I did photograph her getting ready in the morning though). The photographer had no idea how to photograph indoors and get usable results. To say she was devastated would be an understatement.
Even on rainy days, I’ve still managed to get outdoor photos so couples end up with both cozy indoor photos and some outdoor variety in their gallery. We make use of arches, overhangs, doorways, gazebos and of course clear umbrellas.
Clear umbrellas are easy to find - Facebook wedding groups, Amazon, sometimes venues have them, and I even keep a few in my trunk. Avoid black or coloured umbrellas. Black umbrellas block all the light, and coloured umbrellas can reflect colour onto skin tones. Clear umbrellas let light through and keep faces visible, which makes a huge difference in photos.
That said, going out in the rain isn’t for everyone. Wet hair and a soaked dress train isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, and that’s completely okay. We can still get beautiful photos indoors.
It’s also important to build some flexibility into your timeline, because rain often comes and goes. If it’s pouring during your first look and you had outdoor photos planned, we might move those photos later in the day if the rain stops. If rain is in the forecast, it’s best to expect that the timeline might need to shift a bit on the fly.
And most importantly, hire a photographer you trust - someone who can adapt quickly, work in any lighting situation, and keep you calm if plans change.
Indoor Locations in Ontario
If your venue doesn’t have a great indoor space, we can sometimes go to a nearby greenhouse or conservatory so your photos still have natural light and greenery.
Some great local options include:
Allan Gardens Conservatory
Centennial Park Conservatory
Royal Botanical Gardens
Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
Gage Park Greenhouse
Mindset Matters More Than Weather
Rain actually solves alot of problems. Like mentioned above, bright sunny days are great for patios and cocktails, but not always great for photos. Rainy days often give us soft, even light all day long, which is actually ideal for photography. You can’t control the weather but you can control your attitude. Guests won’t remember the weather necessarily, but the will remember the feeling of the day and often the rain makes weddings feel more intimate and cozy.
If you’re relaxed, the day feels relaxed. If you’re stressed about rain, the day feels stressful.
Lots of weddings have something unexpected happen. With a good plan and a good attitude, everything will still be amazing. You will still have beautiful photos, and you still get to marry your person - which is the whole point anyway.
If it rains on your wedding day, we adjust, we slow down, we find good light, we use umbrellas, and the photos will not suffer. Some of my favourite wedding photos have actually been taken in the rain.
I’ve never had a couple regret embracing the weather and enjoying their day anyway. I have, however, been completely soaked myself. Once during an emotional speech under a tent, I bumped a pole and freezing cold water poured inside my dress and down my back. I yelped… and kept shooting.
Rain might be inconvenient, but it never ruins a wedding day.