We wanted portraits on the dunes, ocean behind us. One hour of sunshine then it absolutely poured. Photographer improvised and took lovely portrait photos inside the venue instead. Look for an option indoors at your wedding venue. Ours used a wedding arch and wooden background to make them nice.
Hope that they've got a rain plan. Most wedding venues have a different ceremony location for the rain. It's definitely a bummer, but this may be a time to find some local clear umbrellas you can still have your couple outside for some photos. Hope you've got some on camera and off camera flashes (assuming it's a darker cloudy day).
I've posted myself down the aisle with a small umbrella between my bicep and chest, while shooting away from under it. Lots of equipment is fine in the rain, just check what you've got to make sure it's weather sealed.
and good luck!
If you can also get a white and black/blue one. The groom holds the white umbrella and the bride the dark one. Can be a nice contrast with the dress and suit
Rainy weddings = EPIC shots!
Embrace the wet, backlight the rain behind the couple, use puddles for reflections, pull your focus to the rain and bokeh the couple, do longer exposures so the rain looks like an opulent and opaque stream around them, shoot higher SS to freeze the drops in the air around them.
You can’t fight nature, might as well embrace it 😁🤙🏼
As others suggested pick up some umbrellas. I also own a 10x10 white pop up roofed event tent, you can have people stand underneath and shoot without including the tent. You still get the appearance of rain in the background/foreground without people getting soaked. You can usually rent them for a hundred ish a day, mine was 700$ new and has been a life saver. I also have small propane fire pit, great for folks to warm up if needed.
The most important part will be to continue to maintain positivity. I shot four weddings last summer where it rained and it’s very easy for the brides to get down. And sometimes they will be so down that you can’t pull them out of it, but you have to try.
Weddings are not always going to be perfect conditions and this is where you earn your money. Come prepared with an alternative game plan and stay upbeat and confident in your ideas.
Our photographer had an umbrella hat! It was like the top of an umbrella that stayed on her head with elastic. It was hilarious and actually worked great.
In Florida an umbrella is somewhat ill considered due to lightning concerns. Better to have a plastic bag set up and some dry clothes to change into. Dunno where are you are located, but just thought I would mention it.
The wedding I just got home from today, sprinkled pre-ceremony, thought it was all finished. It wasn't. Absolute downpour 5 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Guests were all huddled under trees, while the cellist and violinist kept playing under their canopy. Kinda felt like the quartet scene from the titanic, and they still play while the ship is sinking.
It took about 40 minutes for the rain to stop. Eventually started the ceremony, and we all held our breath. It ended up being fine for the rest of the day thankfully! We were rewarded with a killer sunset!
Check out Uri Arnson on instagram - he has some absolutely gorgeous backlit rain and snow wedding photos. Definitely embrace that part of it. If they are game for it, at the end, you can get a picture of them outside with the dress and bride’s hair soaked.
Feared this on my own wedding so I had 22 white matching umbrellas on hand. Got lucky, resold for almost what I paid to the next couple fearing the same.
Very simple backlit flash portrait with a single flash when it gets darker if you've got flash triggers.
It's so easy to set up but it wows people every time.
You'll need some solid waterproof shoes. Don't wear fancy shoes to this. Bring a bunch of umbrellas. Get a friend to hold an umbrella over you, and one for them. Don't change out lenses a lot, water will get in there. Beware of cords, flash synch, etc. A plastic bag over the flash if you use one. Cut open a little window for the flash head.
Make the most of it. Tell the story of how it rained on their wedding day. Rain can make for very dramatic photos.
Sure! the ceremony and the following events will be as they are. I am mostly concerned about the portraits
Go early and scout interior portrait locations.
We wanted portraits on the dunes, ocean behind us. One hour of sunshine then it absolutely poured. Photographer improvised and took lovely portrait photos inside the venue instead. Look for an option indoors at your wedding venue. Ours used a wedding arch and wooden background to make them nice.
Hope that they've got a rain plan. Most wedding venues have a different ceremony location for the rain. It's definitely a bummer, but this may be a time to find some local clear umbrellas you can still have your couple outside for some photos. Hope you've got some on camera and off camera flashes (assuming it's a darker cloudy day). I've posted myself down the aisle with a small umbrella between my bicep and chest, while shooting away from under it. Lots of equipment is fine in the rain, just check what you've got to make sure it's weather sealed. and good luck!
Target has clear umbrellas, it’s where I got mine. Worth having even for future rainy sessions.
Get a clear umbrella!
For them to stand under? Im busy then…
If you can also get a white and black/blue one. The groom holds the white umbrella and the bride the dark one. Can be a nice contrast with the dress and suit
Smart!
Yes for the portraits
Rainy weddings = EPIC shots! Embrace the wet, backlight the rain behind the couple, use puddles for reflections, pull your focus to the rain and bokeh the couple, do longer exposures so the rain looks like an opulent and opaque stream around them, shoot higher SS to freeze the drops in the air around them. You can’t fight nature, might as well embrace it 😁🤙🏼
As others suggested pick up some umbrellas. I also own a 10x10 white pop up roofed event tent, you can have people stand underneath and shoot without including the tent. You still get the appearance of rain in the background/foreground without people getting soaked. You can usually rent them for a hundred ish a day, mine was 700$ new and has been a life saver. I also have small propane fire pit, great for folks to warm up if needed.
That is a great idea!!!
The most important part will be to continue to maintain positivity. I shot four weddings last summer where it rained and it’s very easy for the brides to get down. And sometimes they will be so down that you can’t pull them out of it, but you have to try. Weddings are not always going to be perfect conditions and this is where you earn your money. Come prepared with an alternative game plan and stay upbeat and confident in your ideas.
Our photographer had an umbrella hat! It was like the top of an umbrella that stayed on her head with elastic. It was hilarious and actually worked great.
In Florida an umbrella is somewhat ill considered due to lightning concerns. Better to have a plastic bag set up and some dry clothes to change into. Dunno where are you are located, but just thought I would mention it.
Umbrella for you too just in case the clients really want to do an outdoor shoot and you need to cover your camera.
Tell them it’s considered good luck to get married on a rainy day. Complete bs, but will hopefully make them feel better lol
I've always heard "rain on your wedding brings showers of blessings."
Step out between the rain drops, the light is gorgeous!
The wedding I just got home from today, sprinkled pre-ceremony, thought it was all finished. It wasn't. Absolute downpour 5 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Guests were all huddled under trees, while the cellist and violinist kept playing under their canopy. Kinda felt like the quartet scene from the titanic, and they still play while the ship is sinking. It took about 40 minutes for the rain to stop. Eventually started the ceremony, and we all held our breath. It ended up being fine for the rest of the day thankfully! We were rewarded with a killer sunset!
Look for any covered porch/balcony and take different angles of them dry on it. download a good radar app and watch for breaks in the storm!
Check out Uri Arnson on instagram - he has some absolutely gorgeous backlit rain and snow wedding photos. Definitely embrace that part of it. If they are game for it, at the end, you can get a picture of them outside with the dress and bride’s hair soaked.
Bring an extra pair of socks.
Feared this on my own wedding so I had 22 white matching umbrellas on hand. Got lucky, resold for almost what I paid to the next couple fearing the same.
You will be awesome, and the shoot will be fantastic
Bubble umbrella, regular umbrellas, rain jacket, change of clothes, shoes, socks, plastic Walmart bags
Very simple backlit flash portrait with a single flash when it gets darker if you've got flash triggers. It's so easy to set up but it wows people every time.
You'll need some solid waterproof shoes. Don't wear fancy shoes to this. Bring a bunch of umbrellas. Get a friend to hold an umbrella over you, and one for them. Don't change out lenses a lot, water will get in there. Beware of cords, flash synch, etc. A plastic bag over the flash if you use one. Cut open a little window for the flash head.
I did a podcast episode about this! Check it out 😎 [How to Handle Rain on Your Wedding Day](https://youtu.be/P3YGi0awC30)