Rainy day wedding essentials

Growing up on the doorstep of the Lake District I’ve always embraced the beauty of the different weathers as we go through the seasons, As a Lake District wedding photographer, I've had the privilege of witnessing the magic of every season from seeing the magic of the snow on top of the fells, to the sprinkling of golden leaves scattered as they begin to fall; its truly a lovely thing to be able to enjoy all year round. The main one you’ve got to learn to love, of course, is the rain, which turns up in every season! The Great British Weather is predictable in its unpredictability, and you often find yourself preparing for one type of weather on a day, before finding yourself getting soaked up (literally!) in another. 

The first wedding I shot was like this, one minute sunny the next a monsoon! My second was again a foggy, damp day, and at this point you might be thinking they must have been autumn/winter weddings, but they were in July and August! I can honestly say though that these were a huge learning curve that made me realise more than ever that the weather does what it wants, and despite thinking at the time that I wasn’t destined to pursue wedding photography, I ended up being even more determined to take the best photos I could whether it was rain, hail, shine or snow! 

How to prepare for a rainy wedding

Here are just a few things I have learnt along the way:

• Invest in an umbrella! There are some stunning ones out there, but I especially love the clear ones. They’re perfect for getting some more unique shots.

• Think warm! If your wedding is in the colder months, there are beautiful jackets, blankets and cover ups to help combat the chill. Another thing to generate that heat is keeping close, and having a cuddle. Just imagine the Maldives and the sun on your back.

• Have alternative shoes! Your sparkly toes will be beautiful, but you won’t regret having some wellies or boots to hand just in case. Nobody wants wet feet. 

• Don’t think about your dress too much! Unfortunately even on a sunny day, it's going to get a little dirty and wet.

• Have some tissues on hand! You’ll need them for the emotional moments, but nobody wants smudged make up and dripping noses because of the weather either.

• Think about all aspects of your venue when viewing! Look for cute little nooks, cozy fireplaces, grand staircases or unique door ways in case you’re forced to remain inside. Alternative gazebos or a canopy of trees can go a long way for outside shelter. Natural light will always be best, even on the darker days - if the venue has limited light this will impact your photos.

• Have two points in the day for photos! Hopefully it won’t rain all day, yet either way it’ll give you more opportunities for different variations.

• Think about the time of day for your couple portraits! If it's raining its likely to get dark earlier, so remember to be flexible and allow time in the day to get everything you want. 

• Be creative! Splash in puddles and dance in the rain. Think of that scene in The Notebook, and use mist to create atmosphere.