After months (or weeks) of planning, your session or elopement day has arrived and all is well until you look at the forecast. Rain. And lots of it.
How could this happen? You looked for months prior (guilty of this too!), spent day and night monitoring the weather app only for it to say sun and clouds and now this.
The forecast has betrayed you and the radar isn’t looking much better. So what do we do? Pivot… And take a much needed deep breath).
Hear me out: You can plan as much as your day as you want to a T. Everything can be perfect and under control but the one thing you can’t control? The weather. Mother Nature does what she pleases and when she’s in a good mood, the weather will be perfect. In a bad mood? Downpours and thunderstorms.
But do not fret, with 8+ years of experience documenting people’s most important days, I’ve learned through trial and error 3 things that you can do when the forecast isn’t in your favor. And no it doesn’t require paying an Etsy witch to change the forecast (I’m not against it either).
3 Things You Can Do to Prepare for Poor Weather On Your Wedding Day
1. Alwayyyyyysss have a back up plan
I cannot stress this enough. A rain backup plan is a necessary part of your wedding or elopement if anything is planned outdoors. This is non-negotiable when working with me (and honestly should be for working with any vendor).
Whether it’s rain, heat, cold or smoke (because 2026 has had all of this and it’s been a YEAR), a backup plan is a must. No if, ands or buts about it.
A backup plan can be as much as a venue change, indoor/shelter options, or rescheduling if absolutely necessary. When working with me, my clients will always have a backup plan in place that is created by me so that it’s not another item you have to worry about.
Basically, a backup plan will provide you with a sense of direction in case of emergency and won’t send any family or friends (or you) into a frenzy.
2. Embrace the weather
Now this varies depending on the level of weather, but one thing I always tell my clients is to embrace it as it’s here afterall.
As long as it is safe to be outdoors, say “f it” and go for it. You can create some of the most magical photos if you truly let go and just go for it.
Rain and wind creates Notebook vibes, smoke and fog can create Wuthering Heights aesthetic.
Running into the water and swimming helps you cool off from the heat and also makes for spicy photos. It all adds that much more magic to your photos.
And don’t worry, I’ll still bring the clear umbrellas, towels, or hand warmers to keep you comfortable.
3. Reschedule as needed
Now this is a last ditch effort, but is necessary if the weather is just plain jane unsafe.
If the forecast is looking iffy a week out and you don’t have an indoor option, reach out to your vendors or photog to get their opinion. Have the backup plan in place but also consider locking in a new date if needed (one of the many positives of having a low key elopement). That may include contacting whoever needs to be contacted if you have an indoor location secured.
If the day arrives and the weather isn’t looking better, make the executive decision with what you are comfortable with.
Real Life Story
This summer, T & J eloped at 100 Acre Park in Indianapolis. The weather looked totally fine the week prior, but on the day of it was monsoonal rain. All morning it was coming down in droves and there was no let up in sight.
We had planned to do a first look in the morning prior to their ceremony but with the rain, we weren’t sure it was going to happen. Our backup location didn’t work because of an Indy bicycle event going on so what did we do?
We waited it out.
We watched for openings in the radar, T & J talked to one another on the phone to help calm nerves, and we pushed their first look and ceremony back.
Once it was just a light shower outside we said let’s just do it and we did. Their first look was beautiful with clear umbrellas and misty skies (and eyes) and their couples portraits followed by a light rain. Eventually the rain stopped and they were able to have their ceremony at the original planned spot (just with a little extra mud).
They truly embraced the weather and also trusted me as their guide, which is a job I don’t take lightly.
If you’re looking for a photographer who will do the same, then I may be your gal and I would recommend you fill out my contact form here to get started!
