5 top tips for getting timeless photos despite rain on your wedding day.
Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think? It's like rain on your wedding day, it's a free ride when you've already paid, it's the good advice that you just didn't take, and who would've thought? It figures.
We live in Great Britain - rain is part of our daily lives. It’s our go to for small talk, our favourite thing to complain about and for weddings - the one thing out of our control.
They say rain on your wedding day is good luck, but when it happens to you it feels anything but. But does rain really have to put a dampener on your day and ruin your chances at beautiful photos? Absolutely not. I’ve had my fair share of rainy weddings so I’ve put together some of my top tips on how to make the most of typical British weather.
Be Flexible. Most couples try to keep their weddings (understandably) to a tight schedule. Whether its because of transport bookings, or what time food is due to be served, it makes the day run smoother. As such, the wedding portraits tend to be scheduled in too. Now, your wedding photographer should be able to get beautiful photos of you no matter the weather, but light can make a big difference. I always recommend to couples to be as flexible as possible during the day. Has the rain stopped and sunlight briefly broken through the clouds? Grab your photographer and go! Five or ten minutes may be all you need (and may well be all you get).
Pick someone to be your “go to” on the day. Following on from my first tip, having someone you can trust to grab someone or your photographer is key. I always recommend one person from the bridal party and/or a groomsman. This means you can focus on all of your doting guests and the fun of your party and not have to go chasing anyone. This works both ways - as your photographer doesn’t have to get in the way or distract you and can just have a quick word with your go-to. Whether that’s because the rain has stopped or because we’ve lost Great Aunt Doris for the family photos, it means you’re disrupted as little as possible and can focus on enjoying yourselves!
Talk to your photographer about it before your big day. When you’re choosing your photographer - chances are most of the photos on their shiny website are in beautifully light, airy spaces in glorious weather. Unless they’re much luckier than I am, chances are they’ve shot their fair share of weddings where the weather wasn’t so good. Ask to see their work in less perfect conditions and what they do if the weather isn’t so good. They’ll be happy to show you and talk you through it to put your mind at ease.
When visiting your venue, ask about bad weather alternatives. Much like photographers, it is unlikely venues will put rainy shots of their venues front and centre. Similarly on venue visits, they’ll often point out spots photographers like to use for portraits. What they’re less likely to do is suggest spots if the weather isn’t so good. However, they know the venue better than anyone - so ask! If your photographer hasn’t photographed that venue before, this can be great knowledge to share - even if they have.
Clear umbrellas! This is a really quick and simple one - umbrellas cast a shadow, which can make getting nice photos of those holding it harder to get. Clear umbrellas keep the rain off, but let the light in (and to get a bit technical, tend to diffuse the light, making it beautiful and soft!) So if it is likely to rain, I’d definitely recommend them!
I hope these have been helpful - you can’t control the weather, but you can be prepared. Also, any couples who are happy to just think “screw it,” I will happily charge headfirst straight into the rain with you to get some truly unique wedding portraits!