Is it good luck if it rains on your wedding day? Maybe if you have a good plan!
There are a few reasons why you might NOT want to reschedule if it’s raining:
It’s your wedding day
You’ve booked a venue or other services for that day
You’re only in town for a short period of time
You’re scheduling around another event
Lots of people are planning to be there
Here are some tips for staying safe and keeping everything from getting destroyed in the rain!
If you’re ready to book your photographer, check out my elopement and engagement services!
Checking the weather
Use the exact zip code for where you’ll be, and check the hourly forecast once you’re 48 hours away. This will tell you the chance of rain at specific times and how much rain you might have. If it’s a high chance of .001 inches of rain over the course of an hour, it might not disrupt your day much. If there’s a chance of a hurricane or storm, especially in the late summer, then I’d recommend staying inside.
In the summer, especially in the southeast, there’s a pretty consistent chance of rain in the evenings. That rain also has the potential to be more intense in the summer and come with thunder, lightning, or hail. But sometimes, that intense rain will only last for a few minutes before it turns sunny again.
Cloud Forecast
While cloudy days don’t necessarily mean bad lighting, you need to be prepared for how the location might look different from what you had in mind, especially if there are mountains involved. Accuweather gives pretty specific predictions for what the clouds look like, such as visibility and cloud ceilings. The couples above and below both had their photos taken in the mountains on a rainy day, and the clouds were low and thick enough to hide the beautiful view. Read more about cloudy days here!
Umbrellas
I always have two clear umbrellas with me, plus one to cover me and my camera. I think they look super cute!
Or you could also just embrace the rain, Notebook-style, like these two right after they got engaged.
Covered areas
If it’s supposed to rain and you can’t/don’t want to reschedule, you could look for covered areas nearby. Some places will charge a fee to use their space, or you might need to make sure nobody else has it reserved.
Mud and Slippery Ground
Even if you stay covered, it might not necessarily stop the rain from being a problem on the ground. I’m not just talking about ruining your clothes and shoes by getting wet or muddy, I’m also talking about whether it’s even safe to be at your location. If you’re walking on unpaved trails or if there’s any rock scrambling involved, I’d suggest pivoting to a different spot.
For more information on weather and how if affects your photos, check out these posts:
Ready for the best day ever?
My name is Christine (Scott) Gow and I’m an elopement photographer based out of Greenville, South Carolina. I’m a wife and a beagle mom. The three of us have visited beautiful places in every corner of South Carolina, to include all 48 of our state parks. We love finding new outdoor places to visit, but we also love hanging out on the couch and watching Pixar movies.
One thing I love about South Carolina is that it’s not just the beaches and colorful houses that you imagine when you picture it. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, or anything in between; I can help you find the perfect place for the two of you and make it as smooth of a day as possible. No matter how you two choose to spend your day, I’m happy you’re doing it the way that you want.
I can’t wait to meet you!
