8 Tips for a Rainy-Day Wedding

♫ It's like raaa-aaa-aaainnn on your wedding day…

Rainy Wedding Day Tips | Newlyweds with clear umbrella

Story Told Photography | Fifty Flowers

Even the best laid plans can get slammed by Mother Nature, but rainy-day weddings don't have to be a bummer! As long as you've got a solid contingency plan in place, your wedding will be fabulous.

We firmly believe that rain on your wedding day means good luck, and to help you embrace any possible showers, we've listed some of our best rainy-day wedding tips below.


Rent a clear tent.

"Rainy weather" doesn't have to mean "indoor wedding". In fact, quite the opposite! We LOVE the idea of renting a clear-top tent for an open-air wedding in the rain. The tent provides completely unobstructed views of the sky, the raindrops make for some beautifully ambient white noise, and the romance factor will go through the (transparent) roof. Make sure the tent also has clear sides to protect your guests from wet gusts of wind. And if it's a chilly day, you may want to rent portable heating towers as well to keep your guests comfortable.

What to do if it rains on your wedding day | Rent a clear tent

Palm Beach Photography | Above The Rest Events

Keep dry in style.

Hunter boots are all the rage right now, so why not wear a pair underneath your wedding dress? Sure, they'll keep your feet dry, but the wide array of colors and patterns (like bright yellow, vivid blue, gingham, and tartan) ensure you'll have no problem matching your wedding style. Functional AND fashionable—plus, think of how cute a surprise peek of those wellies will look in photos! Just remember to bring a change of shoes so you can properly tear up the dance floor.

Rain on wedding day? Bride wears Hunter boots underneath wedding dress

Sawyer Baird | Greg Hall and Company

Protect your dress.

If you want to take outdoor photos but you DON'T love the look of a muddy hem, consider these options:

Rainy wedding day attire | short wedding dress

Michele Mateus Photography

Bring umbrellas.

Clear umbrellas are your best bet for wedding photos, since they won't obstruct the view or cast a shadow on your faces. If you have your heart set on taking pictures outside, an umbrella or two for you and your partner are a must. You may even want to consider giving them out as bridal party gifts for the group shots. Although transparent umbrellas are preferred by photographers, we can't help but swoon over the more colorful options.

Lesbian wedding in the rain with rainbow umbrellas

Irvine Nature Center | Maria Linz Photography

Dry off.

Because even with all the wet weather gear, there's still a chance you'll get a bit muddy or damp. Ask your coordinator or MOH to have a few large towels packed and ready to absorb—just in case! And it couldn't hurt to have a hair dryer on hand, too.

Stylish wedding couple keeps dry under clear umbrella | Rainy wedding day ideas

Gorge Crest Vineyards | Mark Mirocha Photography | Union Event Co.

Dance in the rain.

No, not literally (unless you don't mind getting soaked!), but you can tie in the dreamy weather—while staying dry—with an appropriate first dance song, like "She's My Kind of Rain" by Tim McGraw. Excuse us while we swoon.

Couple dancing in the rain on wedding day

Tony Spinelli Photography | Red Maple Vineyard

Drink it up.

Serve up "Dark and Stormy" signature cocktails consisting of dark rum, ginger beer, and a slice of lime. And although it doesn't typically come garnished with a cocktail umbrella, it might be fun to add one. (We just love a good theme!)

Dark and Stormy signature cocktails for a rainy-day wedding

Matt Gillis Photography | Katie O' Weddings & Events | Mazzone Hospitality

Get some epic photos.

The best thing about a rainy-day wedding? Uniquely stunning photos. We'll just leave these right here...

Newlyweds with black umbrella kiss | Rainy wedding in Brooklyn

David Lai Photographer

Newlyweds under an umbrella on a rainy city street

Jennifer Childress Photography

Wedding photo with glowing umbrella and raindrops

Northern Lights Photography

Rainy day wedding photos | Pack your umbrellas!

Edyta Szyszlo

Father hugs the bride under clear umbrellas | Rainy Day Wedding Photos

The Bradford | Jill Shaw Photography

Wedding photo with raindrops in the background

The Barn at Lord Howe Valley | GarrenTee Photography

Gorgeous nighttime wedding photo in the rain

Lin & Jirsa Photography | Vibiana


Grab some coffee and stay awhile, mkay?


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Some clients may have paid to be placed in our editorial and some of these links may be affiliate; however, we never include a venue, vendor, or product unless they have a proper place here. This is part of our Core Values. We create our website first and foremost to be good for the couples using it to plan their Big Day. We won't stray from that for a few advertising dollars. #scoutshonor

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