Rain on Your Wedding Day

I had wedding planning in the bag…or so I thought. Things were moving along smoothly at first, but jump to five days before our wedding and I had completely lost it. There were massive thunderstorms forecasted for the ENTIRE day of our wedding and I was standing in the shower just sobbing because there was nothing I could do about it. Other than have a good cry, that is. 

I finally pulled myself together and texted my friend and wedding photographer, Karla. She reminded me that the most important thing was that I’d be married to Kevin at the end of the day (true) and that, rain or shine, we’d still have beautiful photos together. That, friends, is why you hire a professional - they can talk you off a ledge because you’re confident that they know what they’re doing!!

No, you can’t control the weather. But what I learned from my wedding planning breakdown was that you can control how you prepare for it. Here are three of my go-to suggestions: 

1. Clear Umbrellas

If you’re in love with outdoor portraits, investing in clear umbrellas is a must! Clear umbrellas let the light through, which is why they’re a better option than black or even white ones - without that extra light, your faces will be shrouded in shadow. Plus, they’re fun for your photographer to play with because they can also see you through the umbrellas. As you might imagine, that can make for some pretty creative images.

2. Location Plan B

Take the time beforehand to identify a good backup location for portraits and group photos so you don’t feel rushed and overwhelmed by the decision on your wedding day. Hopefully you won’t need to make that call, but it’s better to be ready with a solid indoor option ahead of time than to scramble to think of one at the last minute.

3. Hair and Makeup

If you’re facing a light drizzle, your hair and makeup should withstand Mother Nature’s wedding gift. If more substantial rain is predicted, I’d recommend packing a bag with your curling iron/flatiron, bobby pins, hair spray, and favorite makeup. That way you can easily do some light touch-ups before the ceremony or reception begin, should they be needed!

Bonus Tip

Rain can create ridiculously dreamy images for your gallery. If you’re comfortable embracing the elements and don’t mind getting a bit wet while creating a beautiful memory with your fiance, stepping out into the rain without your umbrella is the way to go, hands down. It will be worth it, I promise.

Originally posted August 15, 2022