The weather is one of those uncontrollable factors that can play on the mind of any bride or groom before the wedding day. Extremes of any weather can be a worry. Being too hot for instance with the boys in 3 piece suits and let's be honest, most wedding dresses are not built for super hot weather. But one of the most common questions I hear is "What if it rains on my wedding day"
It's the rain that seems to be of most concern for everyone. In the UK, our weather is often 'predictably unpredictable'. The worst weather I have ever photographed a wedding in was in the middle of August! I have also shot a Christmas wedding that was warm enough to be outside with lovely sunshine. We just never know. I used to check the weather before every wedding but in the end stopped as I finally realised that I couldn't do anything about it.
Unfortunately, rain on a wedding day does happen but certainly rather than ruin your day, it simply changes things a little. Even if you booked an outside wedding, the venue will have a second room prepared just in case. From a photographic point of view, rain on the wedding day certainly adds something to the wedding pictures. There is a certain atmosphere from everyone being together inside. The images of the bride and groom are often quite romantic as we include umbrellas, doorways or sheltering under a tree.
No matter how bad the weather is on your wedding day, it's very rare that the rain will continue all day. I have often seen the most amazing sunsets after a rainy afternoon or rain during the ceremony only to clear up for the drinks reception. Your guests won't mind and its best to embrace it. The wedding dress may get a little muddy but wouldn't it be fun to have a photo of you jumping in puddles!
Believe it or not, rain on your wedding day is supposed to be good luck! It's the one thing that your guests will say to you on your wedding day if the heavens do open. The thinking comes from the phrase 'tying the knot' with the extension for a wet wedding being that a 'wet knot is harder to untie'!
Last year, Holli and Tim had an amazing wedding at Bury Court Barn. The wedding was on March 26th so the weather could have gone either way. Would it be an early Spring or a late winter? As it turns out, it was such a winters day. It was rainy, windy and dark but it really didn't affect their amazing wedding. You can see some images from their wedding by clicking HERE Here is what Holli said about her day.
"I was disappointed about the forecast of gloomy and rainy weather but Sean reassured me that the pictures would be dramatic and bold with the backdrop providing us a good canvas for some great outdoor shots and I have to say I was not disappointed.
One of my favourite pictures was taken outside in the rain and is the one that everyone passes comments on. The dark outside allowed for the lighting inside the barn to shine to its best with many fairy lights and light up letters shown to their best effect"
I have photographed weddings in the snow, wind, rain and 40 degree heat. Of course the weather has an effect on your wedding but its only a small component of your day. If you do happen to get soaked, it will make a great story for your grandchildren!
