In Wisconsin, every month has ten to thirteen days with measurable rain, so roughly one wedding in three will see some. Most of the couples we have photographed in the rain have better pictures than they would have had in flat sun, and nobody remembers being damp. The difference between a good rain day and a bad one is almost entirely planning done two weeks earlier. This is the plan we run through with every couple, and what we bring.
Two weeks out: make the decisions you will not want to make on the day
- Know the venue’s real rain plan. “We move it inside” is not a plan until you know which room, how many chairs it holds, how long the flip takes and who decides. Ask for photos of the backup space set for a ceremony.
- Set a decision time. Agree with the venue and planner: at, say, 11 am we look at the radar and decide ceremony indoors or out, and the decision is final. Hoping until 3 pm is how ceremonies start an hour late.
- Pick two covered portrait spots. A porch, a barn door, a covered bridge, a hotel lobby with big windows, a car with a sunroof. We scout these when we arrive.
- Buy umbrellas. Clear bubble umbrellas photograph best (they do not shadow faces); plain black or white are fine. One per couple of guests for the processional if it is outdoors, and a few for portraits.
- Think about shoes and hems. A second pair of shoes for portraits in wet grass, and someone assigned to carry the train.
What rain gives you
- Soft, even light. Overcast skies are a giant softbox: no squinting, no harsh shadows, true colors. Midday portraits, which are hard in sun, are easy in cloud.
- Reflections and atmosphere. Wet pavement at dusk reflects every light; mist on a lake or over fields reads as cinematic on video; a bright umbrella in a grey frame is a composition on its own.
- Emotion. Couples huddled under one umbrella stand closer and laugh more. Some of our favorite images are a couple running for cover.
- Night portraits. After dark we light the rain from behind so every drop shows; it is a five-minute setup and the pictures look nothing like anyone else’s.
How we shoot a rain day
Camera and lens bodies are weather-sealed and covered; we carry rain covers, towels, lens cloths and a set of off-camera flashes with stands that can go under cover. For video, we add a second microphone under shelter because rain on a lavalier is loud, and we record the ceremony from under the eaves or a tent so the officiant’s audio is clean. Drones stay in the case in any rain, so aerial shots happen in a break or not at all. We shoot portraits in short bursts between showers (radar apps make these predictable to within ten minutes) and fill the rest of the time with details, candids and the getting-ready coverage that is better indoors anyway. If the ceremony moves inside, we re-scout the room during the flip, place the flashes high so the light looks like window light, and the ceremony looks intentional rather than improvised.
Rain by season
- Spring rain is cold; keep outdoor time to five-minute sessions and bring a wrap for the portraits.
- Summer rain is usually a thunderstorm that passes in 30–60 minutes and leaves dramatic skies; lightning means everyone inside, no exceptions, including us.
- Fall rain comes with the best colors of the year; wet leaves are more saturated than dry ones.
- Winter brings snow rather than rain, and snow is the easiest weather of all to photograph in. Our month-by-month guide has the averages.
If the ceremony has to move
Tell the guests once, clearly, through the planner or an usher; move the florals you can; keep the music; and let the officiant stand where the best light is rather than where the chairs happen to face. We will adjust the timeline on the spot and take the couple outside the moment there is a gap, even for five minutes. Rain almost never costs you the pictures that matter; it changes which ones they are.
Frequently asked questions
What do wedding photographers do when it rains?
Shoot under cover and between showers, use umbrellas and soft overcast light for portraits, move the family photos indoors near windows, and light the rain at night. Professional cameras are weather-sealed and good photographers carry rain gear for the equipment and the couple.
Should we buy umbrellas for our wedding?
Yes, a handful of clear or plain umbrellas is the single best rain investment. Clear bubble umbrellas photograph best because they do not shadow faces.
Will rain ruin our wedding photos?
No. Overcast light is flattering and wet surfaces add reflections. The images that need adjusting are wide outdoor group shots, which move indoors or under a roofline.
Can you fly a drone in the rain?
No. Drones do not fly in rain or lightning. Aerial shots happen in a dry break or are replaced with other coverage.
When should we decide to move the ceremony indoors?
Set a fixed decision time with the venue in advance, usually three to four hours before the ceremony, and make it final so the room can be set properly.
VIDART photographs and films weddings across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri and Michigan: $1,500 for a half day, $3,000 for a full day, photo and video together from $3,000, no travel fee.
Related reading
- How to Pose for Wedding Photos: A Photographer’s Guide to Looking Natural
- Wedding Photo Ideas and Shot List: What to Capture From Getting Ready to the Last Dance
- How Many Hours of Wedding Photography Do You Need? Half Day vs Full Day
Rain plans are built into every wedding photography and wedding videography booking.
