8 Tips for a Rainy-Day Wedding
♫ It's like raaa-aaa-aaainnn on your wedding day…
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.
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.
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:
- Purchase or rent a bridal petticoat. These aren't just for ballgowns, people! A vast array of petticoat styles are available, even for mermaid and trumpet-style wedding dresses. They lift the hem of the gown up ever-so-slightly to keep it from dragging on the ground.
- Have the hem of your dress sprayed. You can always spray the hem yourself with something like Scotchguard, but we'd recommend taking it to the dry cleaners to have a professional do it for you.
- Enlist the help of the bridal party. Ask your MOH or flower girls to hold your train as you walk to the different photo opp locations. Just remember to bring your umbrellas (more on that below).
- OR just opt for a short wedding dress! Problem solved.
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.
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.
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.
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!)
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...
Jennifer Childress Photography
The Bradford | Jill Shaw Photography
The Barn at Lord Howe Valley | GarrenTee Photography
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