Dance in the Rain

There must be something really special about me, that Mother Nature knows when I am working. It's always raining when I am photographing! The old saying that it's good luck to have rain on your wedding day, doesn't make it any less stressful for the couple getting married!

Some people may thing its a bad thing, but I've grown from the many many soggy experiences and can offer these tips to my Brides, Grooms, and fellow photographers on getting great shots even on a rainy day.

What to do When it Rains of Wedding Day

1. Look for backup/indoor locations near your formal photo site.

Many times, you can find covering of some type on location at the outdoor space you/couple has chosen. There may be a picnic area, a covered stage, an underpass of a bridge, or an existing structure on location. If this isn't the case, you can search for easy access locations in the area where you can take some indoor shots. For this, be creative, but plan ahead. Cool locations for a few shots include book shops, clothing stores, a family member's home, or even a hotel lobby!

2. Check with your ceremony site for pre-ceremony or post-ceremony time for indoor photos.

In recent history, I have learned that not all ceremony sites are accommodating in cases like these, so plan ahead and learn about the rules and regulations of your ceremony site. Some will allow you extra time on location and some will not.

3. Take your formal photos at your reception site!

If you can find a private room (Bridal Suite) or a separate area at the reception where you can snag a few moments away from your guests, you certainly can get some fun bridal party photos in at the reception. Its great to do this early (before everyone gets there) when not many folks will unwittingly interrupt, or late, when the party is already going and you can get some hilarious shots on the dance floor with your group. 

4. Buy matching umbrellas for the bridal party and shoot in your formal photo location site anyway!

Get some color coordinated umbrellas and work them like your very own photo props for an outdoor session at your outdoor location. We are so used to shooting in the rain, that we have a ton of ideas with umbrella props and don't mind them at all.  

Photographers - Have an assistant cover you and your equipment or put rain covers over your gear to prevent fog and damage.

Not quite umbrellas but still awesome. :) 

5. Tenting.

Some wedding party members are quite prepared and might even order a large open sided tent when the rain is almost guaranteed to show up on wedding day. This falls under the same philosophy as the umbrella concept, except no one has to hold anything and we get the magic of open shade. The only down side to this, is that the  shots will all have to take place under your tent. 

6. Dance in the Rain!

Lots of brides and grooms and bridal party members, just say, WHO CARES!?! and stick it out in the rain. One of my most enthusiastic brides, Karima, got so annoyed with an umbrella that she threw it out of the shot and said, "Let's do this." It was fabulous, cheered everyone up, and set the tone that we would get all of the shots in the rain, with smiles on our faces! The photos were magnificent! She decided to dance in the rain, and I encourage any raindrop fearful folks to do the same. 

7. Do an "I Do, Take 2!" Session with me!

Worst case scenario - you hate the rain, don't like umbrellas, can't get a tent. don't want to look for a new location, and can't shoot at the church? Get dolled up on another day and do a Take 2 Session. You can get your bridal party together on hair and makeup trial day and shoot at an alternate location or your original location, when the weather is better. You can do a repeat session, if all folks involved are willing, on another day, after the wedding. We have you covered. 

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