How to Handle Bad Weather on Your Wedding Day - Rainy Day Tips
I have had my fair share of rainy wedding days (if you look at the image above closely you can see the rain drops around them :) ) ….and even a wedding during a category 1 hurricane! I truly feel so experienced in every kind of weather condition mother nature has to offer, and I’m excited to share my top 5 tips I have learned along the way to better prepare future bride + grooms if it looks like you are going to end up with not so pleasant weather! After all, it is the ONE thing NOBODY has control over on your big day, so learning how to still make the best out of it is KEY!
Having bad weather on your wedding day is something everybody prays not to have and can definitely be a challenge, but with a little preparation and flexibility, you can ensure the day goes smoothly and you have stunning photos to still love forever. When I first started this wedding photography journey I truly feel like I was thrown in the deep end of the pool and had to teach myself how to swim, because every single wedding I had for the first year it RAINED! While all of those weddings still turned out to be beautiful, it was a huge challenge for me to learn how to maneuver so many different parts of a wedding day when the conditions were too harsh to go outside, or to stay for a long period of time. And YES, photographing a wedding in the middle of a hurricane was a brand-new challenge all in itself ha-ha! So here are my top 5 tips to help you while you are still in the planning process to keep in the back of your mind so that if you are stuck with yucky weather on your wedding day, you know it’s still going to turn out perfect!
Tip 1. Plan for an Indoor Backup. This one is fairly easy because most venues now have an indoor and outdoor ceremony option. BUT it’s still very important to keep in mind as you are venue shopping to make sure they have both options just in case! This is great for more than just a rainy day. Maybe it’s in the middle of the summer and you choose to have an indoor wedding to save you and your guests from the heat, or the complete opposite and it’s too cold and you want to stay warm. Choosing a venue that has indoor/outdoor ceremony options is always a WIN!
TIP 2. Embrace the Weather for Unique Photos. As a wedding photographer this has become one of my favorite things about wedding days with less-than-ideal weather conditions. Sometimes when it’s beautiful outside, everything is expected to be outside and can sometimes look very redundant in a gallery or album. I love having the opportunity to switch it up and turn on the creative side of my brain to still be able to produce beautiful images anywhere, no matter what the weather outside is. Light rain always adds a unique touch to images, like the one you see above. Or maybe the light wind from a storm passing makes your veil or dress fly perfectly. Also adding in umbrellas are always a fun touch that not everyone gets to do, so embracing the weather on your wedding day makes for less stress for you, and opens up the creative world for your photographer!
TIP 3. Incorporate Weather-Specific Details. Like I said above, adding in umbrellas are a fun a way to get unique wedding photos. Now, while adding in clear umbrellas in case it rains might have to be a last minute add on, some things aren’t. Consider adding items that work well with the season, such as cozy shawls if its winter and going to be very cold, or if its spring and you want to add a layer of unique-ness to your images you can add in some white Chinese paper umbrella props.
Tip 4. Keep your hair in mind. Honestly, I should have made this number 1, because this one is SO important. I can’t tell you how many times I have had a bride that has hair issues by the time it’s time for portraits because of the weather. When planning your hair style for your big day, PLEASE keep in mind the weather and humidity where you will be tying the knot. A popular style is to have an up do, with some pieces down and curled in the front, while this is very elegant and beautiful, if it’s rainy or humid that day 10/10 times those front little curls fall and go straight, and then your hair doesn’t look like it did when your stylist finished it, and it can be upsetting. So, keep in mind if you have naturally frizzy hair, maybe ask the stylist for some extra spray to use throughout the day and avoid any thin pieces of curled hair that stay down.
Tip 5. Keep your guests comfortable. While this one isn’t super important, I do think it’s still important to make sure that your guess are taken care of. If you live in an area where the weather really is unpredictable, consider providing your guests with some ponchos, fans, or sunblock depending on the season. You can use these as favors to incorporate them in your day! This ensures your guests are comfortable no matter what mother nature decides to throw at you. By being flexible, prepared and creative you can handle bad weather with grace and still enjoy your wedding day to the fullest, making the best memories despite any challenges.
Thanks for reading
XOXO, Sam