The Ultimate Guide To Rain On Your Wedding Day
why Rain on your wedding day is incredible!
- From Your Photographer
Rain is predictable… until it’s not.
Here’s a story about a real wedding day with tons of rain and wind, how we overcame it, and ended up with the most dramatic and incredible elopement photos you can dream up!
Hi! My name is Tyler, and I shoot weddings and elopements for a living. I live in Lincoln City, Oregon where we get 150+ rainy days a year. I used to worry about rain too, but now I smile when I see a wet forecast.
I promise you are going to have the most epic and unique photos that will tell a story that’s going to rival The Notebook itself. Here’s why rain on your wedding day is going to turn out just fine…
Pre Wedding: Walk the dog and get Coffee
It was a wet and windy day on the Oregon Coast in Depoe Bay. Rain was forecasted to be on an off starting in the morning and going throughout the whole night, with little windows of sunshine peaking through around the time of the ceremony. I had been in contact with Riley and Joey for a month or two prior to the big date, as well as with Riley’s mom and grandmother who were helping plan out everything.
When I woke up, I could tell that the forecast was going to hold. Rain was coming. I took my dog out for a walk in the forest, and by the time we got back to the car to go home, she was soaked by just running through the trees. I had a feeling that I would end up looking just like her by the time my day was done.
I made sure my gear was packed, then hit the road for the short 20min drive down to Depoe Bay, where I was going to meet up with my couple and their family at the AirBnB they had rented for a couple nights. I stopped by Left Coast Coffee Co. on my way through town to pick up my caramel breve (hot, medium roast) which was ready almost the second I walked in the door. The barista Liv doesn’t even have to ask me for my order at this point. She just says “Good morning. The usual?”
Living in a small town has it's perks!
Getting Ready: Will the Weather hold?
Once I arrived at the AirBnB, I introduced myself to everyone, including Mom and Grandma whom I had spoken with several times at this point to iron out the details of the day. They were such a kind family and I could already see how important this day was to not only the couple, but their entire family as well.
I took some establishing shots of the space and then started in on detail photos. I personally think this is one of the best ways a couple can add their own touch to their wedding day, give their gallery some individuality, and elevate every photo that is taken.
Both moms helped out with their kid getting ready, which is always a special moment to witness. As I bounced back and forth between rooms, I kept looking out the window to see what the clouds were doing. I had taken a couple family members outside for individual portraits, and everything looked like it the sky was not going to give us a break in rain for the ceremony.
Gloomy Days & Window Portraits
One of the best parts about having rain on your wedding day is finding a window to take your portraits by. Sunny days are great, sure… but there is nothing better than the light that shoots through a window when the sky is full of clouds! It’s soft, moody and will surely give you those “longing out the window” style of self portraits. Maybe it’s just me, but I would call it romantic.
I was able to keep Riley hidden away in her getting ready room with her mom while Joey and I spent 10 minutes getting his individual portraits. The lighting was exactly how I wanted it, so there was no need to add flash at all. Once we finished, he packed up his vows and headed out of the house to go set up the ceremony space with the rest of his family.
Riley and her mom finished up the last of her details, then joined me upstairs by the big windows. Being a redhead myself (Pelirrojo... in case you were wondering where the name comes from), I have always loved taking portraits of people with bright and vibrant red hair! The floral stitching on her dress, the colorful bouquet, and the contrast from the window light really came together well and took these portraits to the next level.
Not only does it add to the aesthetic of your big day, but umbrellas really come in handy. Get a sturdy one though, or the wind is going to crush your dreams.
The most beautiful ceremony: Rain and All
Once Riley, her mom and I, arrived at the ceremony location (Fishing Rock State Recreation Site), we prepped her dad for a first look. The rest of her family was already sitting in the chairs a couple hundred yards away at the end of the trail, ready for her to walk down the aisle, so we had to make it quick. Everyone in the family had matching umbrellas, really adding to the aesthetic, and protecting grandparents and children from the rain that was starting to downpour.
As she walked down the aisle with her dad, I remember thinking “I wonder why Riley doesn’t have an umbrella” later to find out that she loves the rain and couldn’t have asked for a better Oregon Coast entrance! It was like having a front row seat to a romance movie.
The rain didn’t stop. The officiant, Joey, Riley, and every single family member was soaked. I was too, but waterproof gear really comes in handy when you plan half of your photoshoots in the rain. Towards the end of the ceremony, the clouds parted, and sunlight started to shine through, creating the most amazing rainbow in the backdrop of the alter. IT WAS EPIC!
Have you ever seen a man so happy to be standing in the pouring rain? Me either. Joey knew what was about to walk down the aisle, and he couldn’t wait!
Rainy Couples Portraits: The Notebook Style
They braved the weather for the entire ceremony. Her dress and his suit were soaked. In an effort to look fancier than I probably am, I wore non-waterproof boots and could feel the water in my socks. Totally worth it.
Once we had the family on their way back to the AirBnb, we headed for the cliffs and down to the beach. These couples portraits could not have been better. Everything was working like a dream, Riley and Joey were completely in love and showing it, and the weather was giving Oregon Coast drama to the max.
This was an elopement for the books! It all came together thanks to great planning and the ability to be flexible with the weather. Riley and Joey’s love story couldn’t have come together at a more romantic time that truly captured the raw beauty of the Oregon Coast. Now they have a gallery full of memories that will last a lifetime.
Testimonial
Tyler helped make our daughter's wedding day absolutely everything she wanted it to be! His knowledge of the area and his attention to detail was amazing. Not being from the area, it was great to work with someone local. He spent time even before we hired him, researching the area. He recommended and visited the site for the wedding, sending us a video so we could see it prior to arriving in Depoe Bay. The location he recommended for the wedding was epic!
Getting married on the coast in early October offers challenges with weather. Tyler worked not only with the bride and groom but with the guests to prioritize the needs of the day. He went above and beyond, and his photography definitely captured the happiness and love from the day! I would recommend Tyler a million times for thoughtfulness, talent, vision and attention to his clients, prioritizing their needs and wants!
- Danielle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
