Rain on a wedding day. Nobody plans for it. But it happens. And if you shoot weddings long enough, you’ll face it at least once. The couples who walk away with stunning rainy wedding photos aren’t the ones with clear skies. They’re the ones whose photographer showed up with a solid plan.
Let’s talk about that plan.
Stop Stressing About the Weather Too Early
Weather apps lie—a lot. A forecast for rain ten days out means almost nothing. Hold off on panicking until about forty-eight hours before the wedding. That’s when the forecast gets real. If you email your couple every time it might rain a week out, you’ll stress them out for no reason.
Check the forecast on the morning of the wedding. Then act on what you see.
Talk to Your Couple Before the Big Day
Have an upfront discussion with your couple in advance if you think there’s a chance of rain on the wedding day. Offer them a few options so they can decide what best fits their big day.
1. Don’t go outside and stay completely indoors.
2. Opt for rain-soaked, dramatic wedding portraits outside.
3. Compromise with some outdoor portraits and use clear umbrella covers.
Each couple differs. You may have some brides that absolutely do not want anything to splash on their bridal dresses, versus those that you can absolutely convince to run through a big puddle. Understand your couple so that there are no surprises if the forecast changes.
Scout Your Backup Locations Early
Before the wedding, look for spots that offer natural light without full rain exposure. Covered porches work great. So do barn entrances, large arched doorways, and spots under dense trees. Place your couple right at the edge of the cover, and they stay mostly dry. Natural light still hits their faces well.
If you’re planning a wedding at a venue you haven’t physically visited, do some online research about it. Look up other weddings held there to see the venue in person. You can also look at the venue in coverage on Google Street View. Also, the more you prepare, the easier it will be to relax when the clouds arrive.
Gear You Need for Wet Weather Wedding Photography
You don’t need a ton of extra stuff. A few key items go a long way:
- Rain covers for your camera and lenses. They’re basically tiny raincoats for your gear. They hold up even in a heavy downpour. No more panic when the rain starts.
- Clear umbrellas. Keep at least two in your car. They look great in photos and still let natural light through.
- Lens clothes. Water drops on your glass ruin shots fast. Wipe your lenses down often.
- A solid rain jacket and waterproof boots for yourself. You can’t shoot well if you’re cold and soaked through.
- A spare set of dry clothes. After hours in wet weather, a dry outfit keeps you sharp through the reception.
A waterproof camera bag is also worth having. You can set it down anywhere without worry.
Use the Rain in Your Photos
Rain looks stunning when you use it on purpose. Try backlighting the raindrops with an off-camera flash. The drops glow, and the shot looks like something from a movie. Look for puddle reflections too. Wet pavement can reflect the couple like a mirror.
Play with a slower shutter speed to streak the rain across the frame. Clear umbrellas work great as props as well. A couple walking under an umbrella in the rain tells a real story. Those images stick with people long after the wedding is over.
Watch the Sky and Be Ready to Move
Rain in many places comes and goes quickly. Watch the sky closely. Keep an eye out for any break in the clouds. If you spot one, move fast and get your couple outside. Even ten minutes of dry air can give you exactly what you need for great portraits. Keep the timeline loose so you can adjust portrait time as the weather changes.
Your attitude sets the tone for the whole day. Stay calm, and your couple will follow your lead. Rain becomes part of the adventure. Some of the best wedding photos ever came from days when the weather was totally awful.
Embrace it. Shoot it. Tell the story.