Rain on Your Wedding Day, how it isn’t ironic.

You know that Alanis Morissette song about rain on your wedding day being ironic? She got one thing wrong. Rain isn’t a disaster. It’s just weather.

I get it. You’ve been planning this day for months. You’ve pictured blue skies and golden light. The last thing you want is to wake up to grey clouds and drizzle. But after years of shooting weddings across Scotland, I’ve learned something important: rain doesn’t ruin your day. It just changes it. And sometimes, it makes it even better.

The couples who have the best rainy weddings aren’t the ones with the fanciest backup plan. They’re the ones who decided early on that they’d be okay with whatever happened. That’s the real secret. Not perfect weather, just being willing to roll with it.

Why Rain Isn’t a Disaster

Let’s start with the obvious: rain is great for photos.

That might sound backwards, but soft, cloudy light is a photographer’s dream. It’s gentle and flattering, with no harsh shadows or squinty eyes. Everyone looks good in overcast light. It’s like nature’s version of a giant softbox.

Rain also changes how people move and connect. It makes them huddle together, share umbrellas, and hold hands a little tighter. You can’t stand three feet apart under one brolly, so you naturally get close. And that closeness shows up beautifully in photos.

Some of my favourite images have happened because of rain. Couples laughing as they run between buildings. A quiet moment under a clear umbrella while the world blurs behind them. Puddle reflections that double the beauty of the scene. These aren’t “despite the rain” moments. They’re “because of the rain” moments.

And here’s the thing: rainy weddings are memorable. Ten years from now, you won’t remember that it was 23 degrees and sunny, but you’ll absolutely remember the day it poured and everyone danced in wellies. Rain gives you a story. And stories are what last.

Practical Tips for a Rainy Wedding Day

Okay, so rain can be beautiful, but you still need a plan. Here’s what actually helps:

1. Get good umbrellas.

Clear ones are brilliant for photos because they don’t block your faces. White or cream look classic and clean. If you want something fun, get a few matching coloured ones for your wedding party. Just make sure they’re big enough to give you real coverage.

2. Know your backup spots.

If your ceremony was meant to be outside, have an indoor option ready. A marquee, a barn, or even a cosy village hall can work perfectly. Decide this in advance so you’re not scrambling on the morning of the wedding.

3. Think about shoes.

Heels and wet grass don’t mix. Keep a pair of wellies or flats nearby. Some brides swap into boots for photos, and it always looks great. Plus, you can actually walk without sinking into the ground.

4. Protect the dress.

If you’re moving between locations, have someone carry the train or tuck it up temporarily. A little water won’t hurt it, but stress might.

5. Prep your hair and makeup.

A good setting spray helps. A light scarf or wrap can protect your look while moving between spaces. Don’t worry too much about perfection. A few flyaways won’t show in photos, but how relaxed you feel definitely will.

6. Trust your photographer.

This is where hiring someone calm and experienced really matters. I adapt to whatever the day brings. I find covered spots, work with the light, and use the rain as part of your story. If you’ve chosen a relaxed wedding photography approach, your photographer will already be thinking creatively about the weather. You don’t need to solve it for them.

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Making Rain Part of Your Story

Rain gives you something most couples don’t get: contrast.

There’s something cinematic about standing together in the rain. It’s you two against the elements, and that connection is what matters most. When you’re under an umbrella and the background fades into soft grey, the photo becomes about the two of you. Nothing else.

Puddles are magic, too. A good puddle reflection can double the beauty of a moment. Your dress in the water, the two of you framed by sky and ground at once. It’s the kind of image that makes people stop scrolling.

And then there’s the laughter. The real, surprised, slightly chaotic laughter that happens when you step outside and realise it’s absolutely chucking it down. Those moments are gold. You can’t fake them. And it’s those candid, unposed seconds that make the best photos.

If you’re an introvert or someone who finds big weddings a bit much, rain can actually help. It gives you a natural pause in the day, a quiet moment to step away with your partner and breathe. Some of my couples have told me those rainy photo sessions were their favourite part of the day — just them, the rain, and the calm.

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When Rain Becomes the Memory

Here’s what I want you to know: the photos aren’t what matter most. I know that might sound strange coming from a photographer, but it’s true.

What matters is that you showed up. That you married the person you love. That you laughed with your friends, ate cake, and danced until your feet hurt. Rain can’t touch any of that.

But if you let it, rain can add something extra. It can give you a story. A memory that’s perfectly yours. The day it poured and nobody cared. The moment you kissed in the rain and it felt like a film. The laughter when someone’s umbrella flipped inside out.

I’ve photographed weddings in barns, gardens, and village halls. I’ve shot quiet elopements in the Highlands and small DIY celebrations full of heart. The weather has never been the thing that made or broke the day. Not once.

What makes a wedding beautiful is how you move through it. Whether you’re present. Whether you’re together. Whether you let yourself feel it all — rain and all.

So if it rains on your wedding day, don’t panic. Put on your wellies. Grab an umbrella. Hold your person close. Let me worry about the photos.

You just need to be there. The rest will sort itself out.