What if it rains on my wedding day? What to do for photos?

Yes, this is the big question. I’ve found it’s something that couples worry about time and time again… “What happens if it at my wedding? What do we do for photos?”

I researched this and I was really quite shocked with what I found as the go-to solution for rain on your wedding day.

Apparently, the consensus is to buy matching umbrellas, colourful wellies and jump around in puddles (returning to the same ol’ stock photo poses…) You pretty much accept you’re getting soaked, or sweaty, rushing between locations in the rain (but it is for the love of rain…). And of course, that’s why you take a plastic bag and a towel with you… so you can give yourself a good toweling down before you greet all your guests for the evening.

Honestly, that’s what I read.

“throw on a pair of cute rain boots, grab a colorful umbrella and capture some fun shots outside” [1] 

… from the huffingtonpost.com, which at the forefront of online media publication had 58.7 million views last month (Feb ’16). [2]

And having spoken to hundreds of brides-and-grooms-to-be over the years, this idea is widespread.

Which just doesn’t sit well with me, it seems ill informed and far too impersonal for something that is meant to be your wedding.

These solutions put your photos before you & before your guests.

If you’re supposed to put so much effort into creating posed, impersonal photos, then you’ll end up with some pretty meaningless photos – regardless of the weather.

The notion that if it rains, we’re all supposed to wear some fancy dress costume and do the same dance… This seems so removed from what a real wedding day is actually about. It’s about two people who have found each other and a yearning to be together, to celebrate a truly significant time in their life with those who mean so much to them. To remember what brought them to this moment in time and to very much celebrate the now and for it to be an expression of themselves.

These things are so personal and nuanced – it simply can’t boil down to wellies and umbrellas.

Now, I know, we asked about rain and I’ve said it’s about everything, but I really think it is.

If you ask the bigger question all these little ones seem so easy.

All you need is a Plan B. If you’re planning on spending some of your wedding outdoors, that could be the ceremony, the cocktail hour, the drinks reception, make sure you know what you are going to do. Then simply… do it. Move to another area.

If it rains, or if it doesn’t rain – It’s about the bigger picture. How do you want to experience your wedding day? Splashing around in puddles? Jumping up and down in the sun? Because that is a very real option, but it’s also a little juvenile and won’t suit everyone.

This is why it pays to have an informed opinion when seeking a photographer.

They need to get who you are. They need to be a genuine creative type.

Then you’ll see that, for your wedding, the rain just isn’t a big deal. No need to sweat (or splash).

Just take it easy, and remember what it’s all about for you both personally.

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