In Case of a Rainy Wedding Day
If you are a type-A, June-Wedding bride I can already hear you coming. I get it, rain on your wedding sounds like the worst possible outcome for a day that you have been looking forward to for so long. But I’m here to tell you, rainy wedding days are just as special, beautiful, and wonderful as any other! Here is my practical guide for what to do if it rains on your wedding day.
1. Give yourself time to come to terms with it.
I get it. I really do- and it can be a lot to think about! It’s okay to take some time to process it, but eventually you’ll need to pocket those feelings. Your attitude will set the tone for all your guests. If you are relaxed and enjoying yourself, so will everyone else! Don’t dwell on the event as a whole, instead let your vendors handle each event as they come. It’s not like a little rain can stop a real celebration!
Remember that your wedding day isn’t about the flowers or decorations or a white dress. It’s about marrying your love and celebrating with your people. Instead of focusing on how the day looks gear your attention to how your day feels. Emotions like stress and worry show up in your photos! Preparing your heart and intentionally focusing on what is most important will create a domino effect of a genuinely good time, leading to great memories and amazing images to cherish!
2. Trust your vendor team
Building a vendor team can feel like pulling together a team of super heroes. We really will be making this whole day come together for you, and when you can trust your team to handle every curve ball so much stress will removed from your shoulders. Even though it may feel easier or more comforting to hire a family friend whose hobby is wedding planning, they may not be prepared for when something unexpected happens.
Believe me when I say, we’ve seen it all! It’s our job to put out the behind-the-scenes fires and make sure everything runs smooth.
You couldn’t tell, but it was actually raining through all of these portraits! This was during one of the most severe rain falls in California. We basically had a three week long downpour, (which we are still in the middle of as I write this!) so we had started to create an alternate timeline in advance. We decided on this cute porch with super big awnings for the first look. It was private, got beautiful light, and most importantly: dry! Clients who trust me is one of the best compliments. Knowing I can make snap decisions when I need to ensures my couples can get the most out of my services and enjoy their wedding day!
Day After Sessions
If you still want those dewy, golden hour sunset photos, see if your photographer offers Day-After sessions! These sessions don’t have to be the day after your wedding, and can be planned when the weather is right. You can read a bit more about these sessions here.
3. Embrace it!
You’d never believe it, but a wild downpour makes for the most incredible reception photo ops. A festive sprinkle can turn up your dance floor (and maybe inspire an epic pool jump!) If you do prefer to stay indoors you’ll get to lean into that cozy vibe, with the dreamiest late night photos.
To be totally transparent, those ‘picture perfect’ weddings you see in magazines are unmemorable. There is so much focus on how it looks, the couple is usually stretched way too thin. Wedding days will have blemishes. Even if you don’t have rain, a dress might rip, a speaker go out, or your cake fall over. These things make for fond memories, and being able to roll with the punches will help this truly be the best day ever.
4. Long term planning
I’m extremely lucky to be a Californian wedding vendor! Our weather, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area, is extremely predicable: sunshine in the summer and rain in the winter. Winter weddings are usually cozy, indoor events that need very little reworking if clouds or Karl the Fog crashes the party. If you are planning an event within a wet season there are several things you can do to prepare.
Confirm your rain plan with your trusted team of vendors! Check for rain clauses in contracts BEFORE you sign. Some musicians may not play outside in wet weather, which means hiring them in a wet season doesn’t guarantee you have music when it’s sprinkling and you’re walking down the aisle. Your venue should have a rain space if a ceremony needs to be relocated indoors.
If events are being planned outside look into clear tents to use for ceremony and reception spaces. These tents are so amazing and the rain adds a welcome ambiance.
Make sure to invest in a photographer with a strong portfolio that is confident shooting in low-light and wet conditions. Most couples are the most stressed that they won’t get amazing photos with rain- but this isn’t the case at all! Hiring a photographer comfortable with unpredictable weather will ensure your day is still documented beautifully.
Umbrellas make the cutest wedding favors! Even a line-up of your wedding party under clear umbrellas is such a fun touch
5. Remember what comes after rain
Exchanging vows under a cloudy sky will be just as wonderful as a clear one. Your marriage will bring sunny days and thunderstorms alike, and couples who are able to embrace the rain have the sweetest celebrations.
Kamarin Ann is a wedding photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She specializes in bright and colorful wedding photography for fun couples. Serving Northern California, Arizona, Hawaii, and will happily travel to wherever your love is. With an emphasis on authentic moments, relaxed posing, and a documentary style to truly capture the way your wedding felt.
