The dreaded downpour – it’s something on every bride’s mind. After months of prep, gorgeous hair and makeup, and putting on a delicate dress, the idea of stepping out into the rain is hard to fathom. So what do you do if it rains on your wedding day, and how will it impact your wedding photos?
Well, I’ll let you in on one of the best-kept secrets of wedding photography: some of my favourite photos I’ve ever taken have been on rainy days! Wet weather opens up so many incredible options for photography, giving us moody lighting, reflections, and sometimes even a rainbow or two.
So is it bad if it rains on your wedding day? Not at all! The weather is just the weather – plus, in many cultures, a rainy wedding day is considered good luck, symbolising renewal and cleansing.
Living in Melbourne, we know rain is always a worry, but please don’t stress about it! I’m here to help every step of the way. Here are some things to keep in mind about how to plan around rain on your wedding day.
Talk to your photographer ahead of time
Wondering what to do about wedding photos if it rains? If you happen to spot clouds in the weather forecast the week of your wedding, the best thing you can do is talk to your photographer in advance.
Rain is completely out of our control, so just lean into it and make a backup plan. Of course, we’ll plan for clear skies, but it’s so helpful to have a plan in mind for rain too. I’ve shot so many weddings in the rain and can recommend some last-minute rain outdoor wedding shoot locations that you’ll love.
Communication is key here (as it is with every part of the wedding day photography process), so reach out anytime if you want to discuss rainy day photo ideas.
Rainy wedding photography can be gorgeous!
One amazing benefit of rain is that everything just looks so beautiful. The grass is greener, the city streets look amazing, and we can do fun things with reflections and lighting.
Cloud coverage can be great too. It diffuses bright sunlight and makes it easier to shoot in the daytime, as we lose that harsh glare that often comes with the midday sun. The bright sun also casts intense shadows, while clouds give more even lighting across the entire subject, which is just ideal for portraits.
Be flexible
Having some flexibility with your wedding day timeline can really help on rainy days. Almost always, there’ll be breaks in the rain, so we can use these opportunities to take outdoor photos. During your reception, I’ll be keeping one eye out the window and as soon as we see a break in the weather, outside we go!
It only takes about 10–20 minutes to get some really special photos. And if the rain starts up again, not to worry! I’m all for authentic, honest and candid wedding day photos, and a few raindrops will only add to the memories.
Clouds rolling in? Here’s where to take pictures if it rains on your wedding day
What do photographers do when it rains? Take photos, of course!
Even in heavy rain, we still have so many fantastic wedding photo opportunities, so please don’t be disheartened by the weather. I’ll know all of your wedding day locations ahead of time, so I can use this information to plan indoor or undercover locations where we can shoot on the day.
Here are some options that can work really well…
Share a toast in a nearby bar
If we’re facing torrential rain, let’s go to a cute bar or restaurant and get gorgeous photos of you toasting to your marriage with a drink. I can recommend a few venues that will match your vibe and wedding style, from the Hollywood glamour of 1806 to the minimalist (and famous!) Bar Americano.
As a bonus, this option gives you some quality alone time as a couple. There’s honestly so much happening on your wedding day that spending some time together is a gift – a chance to check in with one another, talk about the day, and sneak a kiss or two.
Pop open an umbrella and head outside
We can always grab an umbrella and take photos outdoors, no matter the weather. While I’m not always the biggest fan of umbrella photos, they can look amazing, especially if we use subtle, clear ones.
With clear umbrellas, I can still see your face and your beautiful expressions, which is such a massive part of wedding photography. And hey, if you can’t help but laugh over the unpredictable weather, I guarantee that’ll make for a meaningful photo!
(Oh, and I have no problem at all getting rained on myself if it means you get the perfect wedding shots!)
Head to an undercover location
No matter where we are, we can almost always find rain protection for outdoor wedding photos. If your wedding is in the city, I know quite a few undercover locations that look stunning in photos, such as the Melbourne Parliament steps, Fitzroy Town Hall, or the Palais Theatre.
Based on the lighting and the time of year, we’ll plan out some undercover shoot locations near your venue ahead of time to ensure you get gorgeous, timeless wedding photos, rain or shine.
If you have any questions or concerns about the weather on your wedding day, please don’t stress on your own – I am so happy to answer any of your questions and help you come up with a backup photography plan that you’ll love.
We can’t control the weather, but we can make the most of it. I can’t wait to hear your wedding photography ideas!
