As a Seattle wedding photographer, I have become quite experienced with shooting in rain. It’s an industry necessity! While you can reschedule a portrait session around the weather (but good luck with that if it’s between October and February) you can’t just move your wedding date based on what the skies are doing that day. The show must go on. But not to worry, there are several strategies I put in place to deal with rain on your wedding day, so that you still can have the beautiful photos you’ve always dreamed of.

Below are some tips on how to deal with rain on your wedding day—and still come out with amazing photos!

Have a backup plan.

I know you are dying for that gorgeous outdoor ceremony. I am too! And even if you know your guests can withstand a little drizzle as you say your vows, you do not want them all (and your dress!) to get drenched in a downpour. Have a covered backup ceremony location just in case the weather just doesn’t agree with your ideal plans. Or have a bunch of umbrellas set out for your guests. Have towels to dry things off and bring rain boots to walk around in. No matter what happens, I promise you will still get to say “I do” and we will still get amazing photos.

Be flexible with timing.

Flexibility is the key to not stressing about rain on your wedding day. Sometimes we may have to switch things around in your timeline to make the best of it—but that is always done in your best interest.

I am obsessive about checking my weather apps to get the best idea of when a storm might have a break. I use these small windows of opportunity to be able to still take some of the portraits outside. Sometimes we get the very best photos like this!

I had a wedding last year where a gusty rainstorm was blowing through right as we were getting ready to do the first look and bridal party portraits. We weren’t sure whether to move the ceremony under shelter or take a chance and leave it outside. I told the bride that my app showed a small break in the rain right in the hour of the ceremony. Lo and behold, the clouds parted right during that time, and we were able to get their first look, shots of the bridal party, and the entire ceremony done before the rain came back.  We may have been behind schedule getting those things done, but the important thing is that we were able to achieve them all and that couple has wedding photos outside among the fall foliage just like they dreamed of.

Trust your vendors.

We have all done this a time or two before, and we know how to make sure you still have a perfect wedding day, even if the weather doesn’t feel so perfect.

Personally, I will do everything in my power to make sure you have the best time on your wedding day, rain or shine. I will find the perfect covered porch so that we can still take your family pictures outside in the natural light, but not make grandma get wet. I will whip out my set of flashes to light a dark ceremony under cover. I will hold your umbrella as we walk between locations, so that you can lift your dress above the mud. I will let myself get soaked so that you don’t have to.

Have umbrellas on hand.

I always have a cute, clear bubble umbrella in my car for my couples just in case of rain. It provides cover AND makes for adorable photos! If you plan ahead and have enough umbrellas on hand for your wedding party (if not one for each person, one for every two people) we can all wander out under cover and use the umbrellas for some iconic group shots. You don’t have to use clear umbrellas like mine, but make sure they all match your wedding style and will make for cute photos!

Just embrace it and get wet.

You are always going to remember it raining on your wedding day anyway, so you might as well embrace it. Dance in the rain. Put those umbrellas aside and just cuddle up for some cozy pictures as you get soaked.

I know no one hopes that it rains on their wedding day, but if you have a plan in place and are ready to just go with the flow, it just might turn out better than you could imagine. Plus, rain on your wedding day is supposed to bring you good luck, so if it happens to you then get ready for the best marriage! ;)

For inspiration, check out these rainy wedding day photos:

Fall Filigree Farm Wedding | Ashleigh & Jose

Winter Wedding at a Chapel on Swans Trail | Hanna & Brandon

Winter Issaquah Highlands Wedding at Blakely Hall | Cris & Martin