The Knot, wedding wire, Brides.com…they all say the same d*mn thing about what to do if it rains on your wedding day. “Rain on your wedding day is good luck!”

Can I be the first to say that, even if it is true, it can really feel like a load of hogwash. (Sorry, my Texan came out there.) The fact of the matter is, rain on your wedding day may not feel like good luck for some – especially if you have an outdoor wedding.

Now, while rain on your wedding day may (or may not) have anything to do with luck, it has nothing to do with how beautiful your wedding can still be.

It may not be sunshine and butterflies, but then again, why do we have this idea that weddings are supposed to be perfect? The way Zoey and I photograph weddings, we prefer the real, raw, and true to life portraits that we’re privileged to archive.

While we would love for every wedding to have picture perfect weather, that just is not in the cards for everyone. And you know what? That’s A-O-Kay.

Should it happen to rain on your wedding, we’ve got you covered (like a cute, little umbrella). Here is what to do if it rains on your outdoor wedding…or indoor.

What To Do If It Rains On Your Wedding Day

Embrace the Fact You Cannot Control the Weather

First thing is first – we lowly humans have no say over the weather. We can’t all be Pepa! (You can blame our son for the Encanto reference). Sometimes when things are out of our control, it can cause us to fret and become overwhelmed and overstimulated. This is the last emotion any couple needs at their wedding. This is where we like to lean on Olaf’s therapeutic advice. Control what you can when things feel out of your control. (Last Pixar reference, promise.)

While you may not be able to control whether or not it is a rainy wedding, there are things you can control. For instance, you have an opportunity to have wedding photography a couple on a sunny day does not! That’s a win, right? Of course, there are a few other things we can do to control the uncontrollable.

Have a Backup Plan

While we would love to have the ceremony along the overlook to see the mountain scape, it’s likely that a rainy day may make visibility difficult.

If you can’t have the scenery you want, you can at least still be comfortable.

In the instance your wedding venue doesn’t have an indoor setting, there are still options for you to take cover. The solution? Rent a tent! A tented wedding can be immaculate – rain or shine – and we love seeing how wedding planners can pull together beautiful weddings no matter the setting.

There are so many types of tents available too. Some are simple, white pop-up tents while others feel like it’s stepping into one of the tents at the Quidditch cup!

Have Umbrellas On Hand

Unless guests are driving their vehicles into the venue, they’re still going to have to walk from point A to point B in the rain. If your guests are doing this, I can guarantee that you might at some point as well.

Here’s the thing – rain is going to do things to your hair and makeup. There is no getting around it. When rain comes, humidity rises. However, there is a difference between your hair and face a little damp from humidity vs. trudging your way through a torrential downpour in 3-inch heels.

Thank goodness for the person who had the foresight to stop using umbrellas for a fashion trend and started using it to stay dry. The idea caught on rather quickly – and it’s one Zoey and I recommend including in your rain plan.

Have Shoes For the Mud

I just mentioned trudging through mud in heels. Trust me – you do not want your heels sinking you into the mud. Even the slightest amount of rain will make little mud puddles that will swallow you whole.

Get yourself a pair of wellies! And they don’t have to be the bright yellow ones or the outdoor-fisherman green ones. Kate Spade actually makes these really cute rain booties that you could totally pull off wearing for the entire day.

Flow Like the Rain

Rain is not a simple act of bad luck or evil spirits. It’s not a sign of good luck either. Rain is simply water falling from the sky. It has no moral compass to it. How it affects your wedding day is up to you.

Do you know what is so great about outdoor wedding pictures in the rain? They are the most authentic portraits Zoey and I photograph. Anyone can stand in the sun and smile when things go exactly as they want.

For a couple to stand in the middle of a shower, embrace each other, and say, “it’s just a day, we’re still here together,” is the tale-tale sign of a couple who is going to make it.

Embrace the rain – flow with it – and don’t fight it.

Have Your Photographs Inside

In the case of rain and your venue offers an indoor location, find out what you can do to secure that. Sometimes it may mean shelling out a bit more cash, but we’ve found that the peace of mind of having a backup plan far outweighs any cost.

If you really don’t want to be in the rain, all you need to do is have your photographs inside. Zoey and I have worked in all sorts of lighting conditions – and indoor locations on a rainy day are NOT the worst conditions! All we need is a window, some chemistry between the couple, and a shot of tequila.

The Long Short

In the face of unpredictable weather, planning an outdoor wedding can be a gamble, but it doesn’t mean the day is doomed. Zoey and I believe that embracing the unexpected can lead to the most authentic and beautiful moments captured on film.

Rain or shine, we’re here to make your wedding day a memorable one. Don’t let a little rain dampen your spirits; instead, let it add a unique touch to your special day.
Looking for a pair of awesome wedding photographers who are super confident with possibly photographing an outdoor wedding in the rain? Awesome. We should talk (: Let’s make some magic together