We get it, the mere thought of rain on your wedding day can really put a damper on your soon-to-be-married bliss. When most people envision their wedding day, they picture sunny blue skies and the perfect weather for their chosen season. But, facing the reality that there is a possibility of rain on your wedding day ensures that you’re ready for it. You can’t control the weather, but what you can control is how prepared you are for it.
There is so much meticulous planning that goes into a wedding day. Whether planning a backyard bash or formal festivities, creating an event takes a tremendous amount of preparation. Newly engaged couples spend so much time deciding on their floral theme, color palette, meal menus, wedding wardrobe, and an endless list of other details to declare. So, why not spend a little bit more time to create a game plan for rain on your wedding day?
Coming Up With a Wedding Day Rain Plan
We understand that wedding planning can be stressful enough without the additional thought of bad weather. If you need a little help staying positive during the process, head to our blog post about 4 Ways to Keep Your Marriage a Priority While Wedding Planning before coming up with your rain plan. As far as coming up with a rain plan goes, here are some of our suggestions as Philadelphia area wedding photographers who have captured hundreds of weddings in all sorts of weather conditions.
First, sit down with your partner and go over all of your plans for your wedding day. Take note of anything that involves being outside. There are the obvious, key points of the day, i.e. an outdoor garden or courtyard ceremony, portrait time, and al fresco fiestas. And some not so obvious things to consider, like travel and transportation for instance. Talk about what you’re willing to sacrifice and what you’re not. Decide ahead of time at what point, if any, you’re down to brave the elements.
Communicate With Your Wedding Vendors
Get together with your wedding vendors and see what they can do to help plan for bad weather. If you’re having an outdoor ceremony or reception, find out what your options are. Is there an alternative indoor space that can accommodate your celebrations? Will that affect other portions of your wedding day, such as where cocktail hour will take place? Is a tent an option? Most rental companies will require a certain amount of time for setup, so making this decision ahead of time is crucial. Take note of the timeline and be in contact with your venue/planner before the day of your wedding. This ensures that they can handle the logistics of your rain plan without bothering you in the days leading up to your big day.
If you know that no matter what, you want to get those awesome outdoor portraits, chat with your Philadelphia area wedding photographer ahead of time. Chances are, they know some alternative spots with a bit of cover, like the First & Second Banks in Old City Philadelphia. This also gives your photographer the chance to pack their rain gear and ensure the equipment stays safe.
Some bridal hair & makeup artists have the option to add a touchup later in the day. We recommend taking advantage of this option if there’s a chance of rain on your wedding day. At the least, pack a few important products to ensure you’re feeling fresh throughout the whole day.
Come Up With a Rain Plan For Your Outdoor Wedding Ceremony or Reception
As a Northeast wedding photographer based in the Philadelphia area, we know that the weather can change at the drop of a hat. While it might be raining at the start of your day, a beautiful blue sky could appear in just a few minutes. This means that the gorgeous garden ceremony can happen just as you originally planned. You’ll want to ensure that your venue has wiped down each and every chair so that your guests are comfortable watching you say your “I do’s”. It might not be a bad idea to provide a basket of umbrellas and heel covers so the ladies aren’t sinking into muddy grass.
On the contrary, it could be the most perfect day leading up to your outdoor ceremony or reception, and a random rain cloud rolls in as guests begin to arrive. Take Jordan & Pete’s Morris Arboretum outdoor wedding ceremony for example. We captured a full morning of classic couple’s portraits on the gorgeous grounds before their outdoor wedding ceremony. As guests began to arrive, the sky grew darker and darker. It was too late to make any changes, and the outdoor ceremony proceeded. Just before their first official kiss as husband and wife, downpour. Instead of panicking about what to do, they braved the bewildering buckets of rain and celebrated in their soaking-wet wedding attire.
Rainy Day Wedding Portrait Options
With a trusted Philadelphia wedding photographer behind the lens, rainy days can actually create some of the most wonderful wedding photos. If you plan for any outdoor portrait time, it’s always a good idea to pack at least one umbrella, preferably clear. There are tons of options for covered outdoor spaces as well, like gazebos and covered porches. Monique & Kamil shared a phenomenal first look in the Water Works gazebo while waiting for the rain to lighten up, and got some stunning shots with the iconic Philadelphia boathouse row in the background.
Consider the interior of your wedding venue as an option for wedding portraits. You’ve chosen your wedding venue for a reason and the style should align with your wedding day visions. There are bound to be some indoor options to create stunning wedding portraits with your partner, wedding party, and family.
Stepping outside for some night shots during a shower is the perfect way to get a few more wedding portraits before the end of the night. Most, if not all of the formalities have happened and couples are a bit more willing to get a little bit wet. It can be a fun way to end your wedding photography coverage before letting loose at the reception.
Have a designated bridesmaid or family member be in charge of your train. To keep your dress dry, you’ll need to hike up that skirt every time you move. We’ve also seen the most prepared brides pack a white blanket to place under them during portrait time to ensure no moisture or mud gets on your gorgeous wedding gown. When the forecast was looking gloomy for Nicole & Vinny’s Ballroom at Ellis Preserve wedding day this past March, she made sure that the efforts of our friends at Elegance Artistry’s work went undamaged with some adorable clear rain bonnets.
With a solid wedding day rain plan in place ahead of your big day, there’s no reason to sweat a shower or a storm. It’s been said that rain on your wedding day brings good luck, new beginnings, and a stronger union. A wet knot is harder to untie, so try to keep a positive outlook, enjoy the best day of your life no matter what, and remember that rainy days can have the best sunsets!
