How to Take Memorable Wedding Photos in the Rain

Rain on your wedding day is said to be lucky, but if we’re being honest, most couples will probably admit that they’re not exactly wishing for it.

Is the weather forecast warning that rain may be in the cards? There are measures you can take to ensure your wedding photos are still absolutely magical, from incorporating rain-related props into your decor to making a few tweaks to your schedule.

Truth be told, rain comes with tons of logistical challenges if you’re planning to hold any part of your big day outdoors. It’s also a bit of a pain for your guests, who’re going to be wrangling umbrellas and rain jackets into the venue and possibly tracking in some mud, too. Then, there’s the issue of your wedding photography.

Is it possible to still get amazing wedding photos even in the rain? Absolutely, says longtime Chicago wedding photographer Steven E. Gross. Here are 5 top tips for taking your wedding photos in less-than-optimal weather.

1. Use the Rain as Inspiration

Sure, you might not get the fairytale-esque, garden-fairy vibes or springtime cheer you were hoping for in your wedding photos, but rain can be seriously romantic and provide a new and unexpected aesthetic for your big day.

“The rain is fertility — cleansing and lasting,” says Gross, a specialist in true-to-life documenting of events with all their imperfections. “Once the storm passes, the light can change really beautifully. And people can glow.”

Consider using the rain as inspiration for a somewhat moodier or more dramatic photography session. You can also go the opposite route and channel your playful, childlike side, all the joy of splashing in puddles included.

Grab photos of the two of you sharing one raincoat or huddled under the same umbrella. Or, if you’re willing to brave it (and maybe spend a little more time touching up your hair and outfit later), get a romantic photo kissing in the rain. “I love a dark sky with a white dress in the foreground. Oh, yeah,” Gross says. “And rain in the background.”

2. Bring in Some Rain-Related Props

The rain is a great excuse to bring in some cute props that you otherwise wouldn’t have, like umbrellas, rain boots, and raincoats. While colorful slickers and wellies may not have originally been in your wedding wardrobe, slipping them on for a few photos will add a pop of cheer to an otherwise gloomy background.

Even if you’re not keen on color and would rather go for a more monochrome, classically elegant aesthetic, transparent bubble umbrellas will allow your photographer to capture every kiss while keeping you and your partner dry.

Your photographer may have umbrellas like these on hand for use during such shoots, but always check first, as you may need to supply your own.

“When rain is forecast,” Gross says, “I tell couples, ‘Go to Amazon. You can get 100 really cool umbrellas tomorrow.’ ”

3. Enlist a Helper

Snag someone from your wedding party who doesn’t already have too much on their plate and make them your photography assistant for the photoshoot. They’re in charge of making sure you stay warm, dry, beautiful, and happy while getting those shots.

That could mean that they’re bringing along extra hair products or makeup for touchups as needed, or keep a warm drink on hand for sips between shots. Maybe they’re just there to hold your umbrella when you’re not using it, or herd off any curious guests or family members who might inadvertently make your photographer’s job more difficult.

4. Consider Adjusting Your Schedule a Tad

If you absolutely don’t want to take photos in the rain, you may be able to adjust your wedding day schedule just a bit to take advantage of pockets of dry weather. For example, if you’d planned on doing a first look, but showers are in the forecast during that time period, you could push those photos to after the ceremony. You could also opt to take your wedding photos on a different day if avoiding the rain is a high priority.

But Gross doesn’t advise scheduling photos a day or more before the big day: “Your wedding dress is pretty special. Save it for the wedding. And then it’s OK to trash it afterward.”

5. Remember the Whole Reason You’re Doing This

Lastly, remember the entire reason you’re even taking these photos in the first place. The priority isn’t to capture a specific vibe, but to immortalize the love that the two of you share. “They say tying the knot in the rain makes it harder to untie the knot,” Gross says. So go with the flow, stay flexible, and enjoy the moment.

Steps You Can Take Ahead of Time

You can better set yourself up for a successful rainy wedding by taking a few steps ahead of time while planning the wedding. Pick a rain-friendly venue, coordinate with your photographer, and purchase wedding insurance. Read on for a little more insight into each of these steps.

Picking a Rain-Friendly Venue

When you’re touring wedding venues, imagine what the location would look like in the rain. Would it be aesthetically pleasing? If you want to take photos outside, are there covered spots where you could take some of those photos, even with a drizzle?

Additionally, ask the venue what their rain plans are, even if you’re not planning to have your wedding outdoors. For example, if guests need to move from one building to another between the ceremony and the reception, will adjustments be made to keep everyone dry?

“With urban hotels, usually you have to go up to the 10th floor or something like that to escape the rain. You can’t, like, walk out the front and be in nature,” Gross says. “Anything that has nature next to somewhere you can go in for shelter is perfect.

Talk to Your Photographer

If you’re working with a professional wedding photographer, this is far from their first rainy rodeo! They’ll have their own ideas and tips for how to get the pictures you need, regardless of the weather. Be upfront and honest with them about your expectations for a rain plan. Do you want to try to get photos outside regardless? Do you want to move the entire photoshoot indoors?

For Gross, “I would like them to have their fun outside. because the photographs will be much better than indoors. But the couple are the client, and it’s their call. And I roll with it.”

Purchase the Right Wedding Insurance

Say the worst-case scenario becomes a reality, and the weather is so bad on your wedding day that it becomes a hazard to move forward with the event. It’s important that you have wedding cancellation and postponement insurance to help you recoup your original venue and vendor deposits, as well as to cover any change fees.

While it’ll be painful to cancel your wedding at the last minute, it would be even more painful to have to cancel and then pay for an entirely new wedding at a later date, all because you didn’t have the proper protection.

Get Your Wedding Cancellation and Postponement Insurance Quote Now

BriteCo’s wedding cancellation and postponement insurance starts at just $125 and will help you cancel or postpone your big day due to inclement weather, unexpected serious illness, travel delays, and more. You can even purchase a cancel-for-anything add-on insurance to cover, well, anything.

Get your quick wedding insurance quote now. Then, check with your venue to find out if you also need wedding liability insurance, a common requirement with many venues that’ll protect both you and them from liability for personal property damage or injury.

FAQs About Rain on Your Wedding Day

Is rain on your wedding day bad luck?

Nope! Technically, rain on your wedding day is considered good luck, but it can still be a nuisance, and you’ll want to have backup plans if rain interrupts your big day.

Does wedding cancellation insurance cover rain?

Wedding cancellation insurance won’t cover just the average rainstorm, but it will cover cancellations due to hazardous weather such as hurricanes or snowstorms.

Can you have your wedding in a tent when it’s raining?

Yes, if the rain isn’t torrential and you have a tent for cover, the wedding can still go on without needing to move your ceremony or reception into a physical building.

What does rain on your wedding day mean?

Rain on your wedding day is thought to symbolize fertility, prosperity, fresh starts, and new beginnings.

Can wedding photographers take photos in the rain?

Yes, your wedding photographer will still be able to take your photos in the rain, but be sure to discuss their rain plan with them ahead of time so that everyone’s on the same page.

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