When you’re planning an outdoor wedding, clear skies are usually at the top of your wish list. But in New England, we all know the weather can be unpredictable. While a rainy wedding day may seem like a disaster, these six couples proved that rain can make for a beautiful, unforgettable wedding day despite the forecast! Read their stories to hear how we dealt with photos in the rain and pivoted to make sure their day unfolded perfectly.
Indoor Wedding Portraits on a Rainy Day
While Saturday was rainy and cold outside, it was cozy, warm, and joyful on the inside for Katy and Kenon’s wedding day! They were married at The Endicott Estate in Dedham, MA. Instead of a first look outdoors we embraced the gorgeous venue and had their first look on the staircase. After their first look and some portraits, their ceremony was held in the ballroom in front of their friends and family. Speeches, dinner, drinks, and dancing filled the evening and Katy and Kenon even ran outside with us for a couple of rainy shots! I was thrilled with how their portraits came out at the beautiful venue!
Backyard Rainy Wedding Day
Kaleigh and Ryan were married in her parent’s backyard in 2020 when the pandemic was raging on. It ended up raining slightly during their ceremony and got heavier as the day went on, but of course, there was nothing anyone could do. Their guests all embraced the rain and headed to the tent after and surrounded Kaleigh and Ryan with lots of love. With some umbrellas and patience, their day turned out just fine!
Rainy Day Wedding at the Publick House
Meaghan and Bobby’s wedding at the Publick House in Sturbridge, MA was beautiful despite the rain! When I arrived at the Publick House, the sky opened up into torrential downpours, and the call was made to move the ceremony inside. I found Meaghan all smiles getting ready with her ladies- not one bit of a damper on her day!
We decided to use a covered porch for their first look and privacy so they could still be outside. During moments the rain let up we did family photos outside on the lawn. Instead of having their ceremony out on the arbor, they were married inside Paige Hall. During the ceremony, a bear just happened to cross the hill and into the arbor during their ceremony. I’d call that good luck!
Afterward, we snuck outside with umbrellas for some very cool misty nighttime portraits with the umbrella. We wouldn’t have captured these photos without the rain! Learn more about Meaghan and Bobby’s wedding and getting married at the Publick House.
Wedding Photos in the Rain
Anna and Chris hosted their wedding at South Farms in Litchfield County in Connecticut. The rain was pouring down all day, but we pivoted and made the most of it! We utilized one of the barns on the property for their first look with Anna and Chris. Their ceremony was moved inside to a warm and gorgeous intimate space with candles in the background. Anna really wanted to get married outside, but when she saw the setup in the barn she was very happy!
After the ceremony, we took family photos at the opening of that structure. The lighting was beautiful and they were kept nice and dry. We snuck a few portraits of just the two of them before heading into the cocktail hour. As the skies opened up again the rest of the guests arrived. We were able to sneak out again later to take a few more portraits after the heavy rains passed and they turned out gorgeous!!
Indoor Wedding Photos
Amanda and Matt were married at the beautiful and historic House of the Seven Gables in Salem, Massachusetts in a sweet elopement, just the two of them. It was a drizzly day but it was absolutely perfect. They were married inside The House of Seven Gables, but we were able to sneak out afterward when the rain slowed. We captured some portraits of them with and without umbrellas around the property. I later photographed their big wedding day, but this was their elopement during COVID. My favorite tidbit is that at their big celebration a year later, there was a rainbow, despite no rain on that date!
Massachusetts Rainy Wedding Day
When I rolled up to Emily and Gary’s wedding on Saturday at Zukas Hilltop Barn, it was absolutely pouring! Heading into the bridal suite, everyone was manifesting clear skies for ceremony time a few hours away- and guess what? It worked! After Emily and Gary’s first look in the greenhouse (a must location on Emily’s list!) and a few portraits, it was go time!
The rain cleared and they held the ceremony outside! Almost on cue, the rain came back again just as they finished up and were walking into the tent. Luckily the rain passed yet again, and after dinner, we were able to get back outside for some more portraits! Though the day was full of rain and humidity, Emily and Gary were all smiles and nothing could dampen the day! It goes to show you that attitude is really what matters the most and can make all the difference!
Embracing the Rain on Your Wedding Day
The lesson here – don’t stress about rain on your wedding day. The day will be what it will be and we can’t control it! If you are planning an outdoor wedding be sure to have a plan B. Your vendor team will ensure they make the most of your day despite the weather! As your photographer, I find often we get to take some cool photos you might not have taken on a clear weather day. When we live in New England where the weather can be so unexpected, there is nothing to do except roll with it!
After all, they say rain on your wedding day is good luck. I also love this quote, “Rain on your wedding day is nature’s way of reminding you to embrace change and find beauty in the unexpected.”
Looking for a New England wedding photographer? Inquire today with Katlyn Reilly Photography.