Something I am often asked. In short, the best response is – “We do not let it ruin your day!”
Weather is unfortunately to one thing we have absolutely no control of. Of course no one wants rain on their Wedding Day. And I feel fortunate to have only had to deal with this situation on very few occasions. But should this be the case on your big day there are a number of things to remember.
1 – It is your special day. I’m sure after all the hard work and money you have put into it you will not want to cancel it.
2 – The amount of time spent indoors during most Weddings. Most of the main parts of the day in fact. Bridal prep, the ceremony, the meal, cutting the cake and the first dance more often than not all of these take place inside. Ok maybe you have a venue offering you an outside ceremony. That venue should also have a back up plan should the weather not be suitable.
3 – We will still get the group photos done. If it rains it would be a matter of how heavy and consistent the rain as to whether the group photos could still be done outside. This is something your photographer should be aware of and will use their experience and knowledge to suggest to you possible options:
Does it look like it’s going to ease up in which case we can go outside once it does.
Are there any dry or sheltered areas suitable?
Possibilities of doing some of or all the group photos inside. This will often depend on the venue.
Does the inside of the venue actually offer better options? Old halls and buildings are always enriched with character and history. This can often make great settings for group shots. Also with the ability to let guests use sofas and chairs which can make for beautiful family photos.
Focusing on getting the most important group photos done and the best possible images under the circumstances.
4 – Embrace it! Photos in the rain can be so romantic and powerful. Now I would never force someone out into the rain. But if it was to rain on your Wedding Day and you are willing, I am more than happy to get soaked through to capture that image that says, “we don’t care about the weather, we have each other.” This is often such a loving image such as the one to the left. Let me just add that it was not raining quite so heavily as it looks. Unless it’s heavy rain the camera will often not pick up the rain drops. Originally this image looked like a Bride and Groom just holding an umbrella with little or no rain. I needed to add the rain to give the photo it’s impact. I just want to assure people that the Bride and Groom did not spend the rest of their wedding day soaked through. In fact the rain was so light they hardly noticed it.
Just going back to the group photos as well as doing a few group photos inside I have also had couples that during light rain have said no we want them done outside. In which case I do everything I can to make sure this happens. Once this involved the Ushers standing behind the Bride and Groom with umbrellas. The guests, standing in shelter, would then be called out as needed, quickly organised, the ushers would disappear and the photo taken. As soon as I am happy with the photo the Ushers are waved back in to shelter the Bride and Groom and the guests rotate. After discussing options with the Bride and Groom this was their preferred choice. And my responsibility to organise.
At the end of the day the most important thing is to remember it is your Wedding Day. No matter what the weather, it’s going to be fun & emotional. There will be laughter and tears. You are going to be surrounded by the ones you love and joining together with the one you love. And there’s always the honeymoon to look forward to 🙂
For those that still want to go through with the receiving line but feel time may be a factor there is another option. And one I have seen to work very well. Even better infect. Why not form a welcoming line straight after the ceremony? The Bride and Groom always leave the ceremony first, usually followed by the parents, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen and then the guests. It’s so easy to find a suitable area and welcome your guest as they leave the church or as they make their way to the reception drinks at a venue. It actually makes great sense too. It’s early in the day. It’s usually the first opportunity the guests have to actually talk to the Bride. Everyone gets the chance to congratulate you after the ceremony. Rather than before the meal! Whenever I have seen this done out has not effected the flow of the day and often seems more relaxed. If your wanting to do some kind of receiving line, this is definitely a option worth thinking about.
