Should a rainy wedding day equal unnecessary stress?
Definitely not and here are some tips to ensure you have an amazing wedding, even if it happens to rain!
- Choose your wedding venue assuming you'll have to utilize the rain plan. If you still love it, it's the spot for you!
This couple chose a stunning venue set in a gorgeous garden. They had originally planned to have their ceremony on the lawn, but rain showed up and they rolled to the rain plan of having their ceremony on the huge wrap around porch. This feature of the venue also allowed them to have ALL their photos still taken in natural light with the greens and gardens still being featured, all while staying dry! It wasn't what they initially envisioned, but it turned out so cozy, super unique and they still got to enjoy that outdoor feel vs an indoor rain plan option that would have changed the vibe.
- Choose your wedding vendors based on their ability to pivot and think outside the box due to unexpected changes in plans, especially weather
This wedding date was chosen with the hope of the stunning cherry blossoms being in bloom. THEY WERE! It had rained all night and into the first 1/2 of their day. The ground was wet, the trees were dripping and there was still some very light rain falling. Did that stop us? NOPE! There are easy ways to preserve a train while on wet ground to ensure your dress stays clean for the ceremony and you still get the photos you hope for. Together, with groups and with the coveted blossoms! After that, WHO CARES?! This bride sure didn't and she truly lived her day, running through puddles, getting her train muddy and heading right back to the dance floor. That outlook, preserving it as best you can early and just going for it later will get you the best photos!
- Be flexible on timing so you can take advantage of gaps in the rain!
This wedding day had some heavy rain that fell for hours. It was enough that it was truly prohibitive to still venturing out, even with an umbrella. BUT, if you are ready on time (shout out for the importance of a great hair/makeup team!), you gain flexibility to move your first look up, to swap a few things around and be able to take advantage of moments like this when there was a sudden break in the rain!
- Bring ALL of the umbrellas (clear, black or white).
If your day looks like it might be a total wash-out, order enough umbrellas for yourselves and your wedding party and family. This couples day was pretty wet, but did have a sweet lil break so they were able to do their ceremony outside and stay dry. Outside of that time, they bought enough umbrellas so they and their wedding party could still take photos outside, utilizing the beautiful grounds, gardens and lake that they'd been dreaming of through their planning journey.
- Utilize covered and partly covered areas that your venue offers to get unique perspectives while still staying dry!
This wedding is the perfect example. A huge covered porch allowed us to still grab photos that felt outdoorsy. Adding to the variety of their photos overall, still making use of the grounds and also getting creative with perspectives (inside looking out) and lastly, running into the field for a few fast photos even while getting dripped on!
- Be willing to embrace a few drips.
This couple was totally game to head out into the rain, they had an umbrella from the venue for moving between locations. We used it for a few photos as it was true-to-their day. They were also totally game to fling the umbrella to the side for short 10 second blips, a handful of times, so they got the best of both worlds! The rain truly had no impact on their outfits, her hair or makeup, AND they get to enjoy amazing photos sans umbrella just as they'd envisioned on their day.
- ENJOY YOUR DAY!!! No matter the weather, this day is about YOU TWO. About all that you've planned, celebrating with friends and family and immersing yourself in all the love. Don't let a rainy wedding day change that. <3
