What If It Rains on Your Wedding Day? And More Weather Tips
There are so many wonderful reasons to get married in the great outdoors. Maybe you feel a deep connection with the mountains, desert, lakes, or forests. Maybe you prefer wide open spaces to traditional wedding venues. Maybe you’re irresistibly drawn to adventure weddings and outdoor elopements. It could even be some combination of these, or something else entirely.
Whatever your reasons are, know that I share them. I adore natural spaces, which is why I’ve made a career out of outdoor wedding and elopement photography.
But getting married amongst the elements means you’re also susceptible to the elements. Which begs the question: What if it rains on your wedding day? What about dust storms or heat waves? What about all the unexpected stuff the natural world can throw at you and your special someone on the day you say, “I do”?
Here are some tips to make the most of the weather, and a few preparations that’ll help your wedding go smoothly—even under the wildest conditions.
Rain on Your Wedding Day
They say rain on your wedding day is good luck. Part of me suspects this is just wishful thinking—something nice to say to a couple about the soggy weather.
However, another part of me remembers the mythologies which say that the sky and earth are in love with one another. Unfortunately, they are kept separate. It’s only the rain that connects the earth and sky—a pluvian love letter that bridges the gap between two hearts. So maybe there is something to the idea that rain on your wedding day is good luck.
I’ve photographed multiple weddings in the rain. Sometimes it’s just a short drizzle, while other times it’s a days-long affair. While umbrellas can provide some reprieve, it’s not a fix-all for heavy storms.
Here are a few wedding stories deserving special mention:
A wet winter wedding for Bella & Steffen in Saguaro National Park: I’m pretty sure it rained all day for Bella & Steffen’s outdoor wedding. With no awnings and no reprieve, this couple and their guests simply had to brave rain during the ceremony and photos. Nonetheless, we made the most of it. We were treated to rare low-hanging clouds and fog in the desert—breathtaking! From the touching vows to photos in the car’s headlights, and even posing at a 1950s diner, it was all magical. It was a little soggy, but a good attitude is the best umbrella.
“It’s hard to sum up just how incredible Diana is. She is so approachable, genuine and fun. My husband and I eloped in AZ with a few friends and we honestly felt as if we’d known Diana for years with how easily she fit into our group!
Diana is so incredibly talented and kind, and the finishing touches she executes are just incredible, from making gifs to editing just the right amount to offering beautiful products and generously large galleries. I wouldn’t change our experience at all, and I don’t think I could think of a single improvement if I tried.”
From clear skies to total downpour during Angela & Daniel’s Indian Cove Wedding: The sky was as clear as can be until 4 pm, exactly when the wedding ceremony began. That’s when the downpour began. Cold, rainy, lots of wind—it was the most chaotic weather I had seen to date. But Angela & Daniel took it well. Holding each other close, laughing, and kissing amongst the wild weather. At 8 pm, the rain just stopped. Unfortunately, we missed sunset photos because of it. But capturing the couple in the headlights of their vehicle was breathtaking all the same.
“Working with Diana was amazing! We orginally found Diana when looking for photographers who have experience working in National Parks weddings. She was super helpful since we were coming from out of state. She gave us local recommendations, which airport to fly in, marriage license how-to, etc. I loved her energy and vibe the day of the wedding and the photos are incredible! I ordered prints for Christmas gifts. Highly recommend Diana for any National Park photoshoot!”
Cold raindrops on Caro & Toni during couple’s photos: The weather was highly variable on the wedding day of these two brides. It started hot. It was windy as can be during the ceremony. And then—following private vows and a champagne pop—it started raining the biggest coldest raindrops on these two newlyweds. Shivering brides aside, it made for some breathtaking photos that Caro & Toni adores!
Here are a few rainy-day wedding stories to help you picture a rainy wedding day, while still making the most of it, plus tips, tricks, and things to keep on hand:
Umbrellas, especially the clear see-through umbrellas.
Raincoats or ponchos can keep you dry when you need to be.
Good shoes or boots because the ground keeps slippery or squishy.
A vehicle, so you can get out of the rain or run the heat.
Plastic bags or waterproof pouches, to store valuables like cell phones.
Flashlights, headlamps, or lanterns for visibility and cute photos.
Hand warmers to keep your fingers nice and toasty.
Take breaks when you get too soggy or cold.
While these items can be a big help, the best things you can do is have a good attitude about the wet weather and communicate with your wedding photographer if you need a break from the elements.
Tips for Desert Climates: Sun, Dust & Wind, Oh My!
What about the exact opposite weather conditions? I’m talking hot, dry, and not a cloud in the sky.
Deserts are an exceedingly beautiful place for your wedding day. In fact, I chose to get married in Joshua Tree National Park for my wedding day—and it was everything I wished it could be. But it’s no secret that deserts are some of the harshest environments on Earth. The plants and animals that live there are hardy creatures because they have to be!
Despite that, the desert still has plenty of gentleness and awe—which is why so many couples choose to join their hands in these magical ecosystems.
Here are some couples’ stories about wild weather during their desert weddings:
Heavy winds almost blow away Ralph & Mary’s desert elopement: Ralph and Mary had a lovely table set up with gorgeous decorations for their Nevada wedding. But when heavy winds kicked up, we had to shift plans. We packed up the table set up, so nothing was damaged. Then we accelerated the schedule so our couple could have their ceremony and vows on the desert playa. Afterward, we drove to another location for photos—embracing the gusts of wind for majestic photos of sweeping hair and a billowing wedding dress.
Is that salt in your hair at Jess & Daniel’s national park wedding? Death Valley hosts beautiful landscapes shaped by harsh climate and weather, including wild winds. When Jess & Daniel went for evening photos at Badwater, they experienced salt and dust thrown into their faces from the heavy gusts. The key? A good attitude and taking photo breaks to adjust and recoup. Funnily enough, I actually found a chunk of salt in my hair while leaving this elopement.
If you’re considering a desert wedding, you should prepare for a few things:
The heat, obviously. The desert is hot, hot, hot. I’ve photographed weddings in the high 90s and low 100s before (35-40 degrees Celsius). For couples who want to avoid those extreme temperatures, try planning your wedding for early spring, late autumn, or during winter months. Similarly, getting married in the morning results in gentler temperatures. It’s smart to keep essentials like water and food on hand—and communicate with your photographer before you feel overheated.
The Sun. Sunscreen and clothing layers help protect your skin from the sun’s harsh rays. The sun is more forgiving during the morning and evening compared to late afternoon—plus the lighting is better for pictures. Deserts offer very little shade, so consider bringing your own parasol if your skin is especially sensitive.
Changing temperatures, especially at night. Temperatures can drop rapidly after sunset. Avoid the shock of cold to your system by bringing layers, jackets, or blankets.
Thorns and other pokey things. Watch your step. Cacti and other thorny plants can poke your skin, snag your clothes, or get stuck in your shoes. Good shoes and boots can protect your feet better than sandals or heels. And flowy clothing can get caught before you know it. The same goes for bags or blankets put on the ground. If you do get pricked, ask your photographer for help. I’m a pro at this! And there’s less chance of making the problem worse.
Winds, gusts, and sometimes dust. High-speed winds can easily rush across the desert. It’s usually not too much of an issue. Wind-swept hair and dresses look really good in photos. But if it gets really heavy, it can blow away decorations or cause dust storms. This is pretty rare, but my advice is to secure your belongings or to wait out the dust storm.
Water, food, electrolytes, and sleep. Give your body what it needs before, during, and after your outdoor desert wedding. That includes food, snacks, water, electrolytes, and sleep. Start days before your wedding or come to the location early to acclimate.
If you prepare for the dryness and heat, your wedding day will go by without a hitch.
Advice for Cold Climates: Snow and Ice
Now let's cover cold-weather weddings. I’m not just talking chilly. I’m talking so cold you can’t believe it. I’m talking ‘snow falling, ice everything, frozen roads and sidewalks’ cold.
While I haven’t photographed too many weddings in these conditions—part of the benefit of focusing on the American Southwest—I have had some personal and professional photoshoots in this kind of weather.
On the plus side, winter is wonderful. It’s called a “winter wonderland” for a reason. White snow and cold temps just make you want to snuggle into your special someone. The real challenges come during your travels to and from various locations. Snow can impact visibility, while icy roads make it tough to get traction. If you're used to these conditions, eh, no big deal. But if you’re like me—a SoCal-born desert girlie—it’s much tougher.
(Not pictured—Isiah and I trembling since it was 0º when this photo was taken)
Here’s one couple’s story about winter weather:
Snowfall the day before Caitlin & Keith’s wedding day: We were very excited to photograph Caitlin & Keith on their wedding day. But on the drive up, we experienced a sudden snowstorm and icy roads. We gently alerted the couple about the weather and made plans if it got to be too much. Luckily, the weather warmed up and the sun shone at the exact start of their ceremony.
Here are some tips for ice-cold outdoor winter weddings and elopements:
Pack warm clothes. It’s a good idea to bring jackets, scarves, gloves, hats, and even hand warmers. No, you don’t need to wear these for every photo. But they can be cute!
Think about your base layers. Long johns, wool leggings, and wool socks can make a big difference. It’s much easier to stay and keep warm than to get cold and warm up later.
Pack tire chains. Practice using them before you need to and make sure they are the right size. Don’t ask me why I know this.
Keep an eye on road conditions. Especially in the days before the wedding. It’s much easier to replan your route than to get stuck on the way.
Stay hydrated. It’s all too easy to forget to drink water, just because you’re cold. But you’ll feel much healthier and happier if you stay up on your water game. A thermos full of hot tea or cacao also helps.
Consider your footwear. Keep your feet safe and warm with non-slip boots and thick socks. You can change in and out of wedding shoes, if you need to.
You might need crampons for heavy snow. Crampons are metal spikes that attach to the bottom of boots to improve traction on snow and ice. You’d rarely need these, but they can be really helpful for snowy and icy hikes.
Weddings warm our hearts. So even if it’s cold, you can hold onto your newlywed spouse for photos and the ceremony. And afterward, get indoors to run the heat.
Wedding Beach Tips: Sandy, Salt, Sunny, and Soggy
People love the beach. And as someone born in southern California, a love of the sun and surf is part of my DNA. But the beach is only fun if you’re prepared for the beach, you know?
Sand, wind, crowds, waves, and sunshine are part of the charm—but they can also make a mess if you aren’t careful.
Here’s one couple’s story about a beach wedding:
A busy beach day for Anyllah & Sam’s SoCal wedding: Anyllah & Sam wanted nothing more than to bring their dog to their wedding day. I was more than happy to help them find a pet-friendly beach. But more pets and people means more foot traffic. Plus, there was lots of wind that day. A few helpful guests assisted with weighing down the decor and politely asking strangers to make way for the couple.
See some advice for your beach-day wedding:
Pack the sunscreen. Keep your skin happy and sunburn-free by bringing sunscreen.
Wear layers. The sun is warm but the wind is chilly. What are you going to do when the sun sets? Wear layers, of course. It can also be fun to strip down your wedding attire for a bathing suit and jump into the ocean!
Check the tides. Avoid finding yourself ankle-deep in water or having your ceremony washed out by the waves.
Weigh things down for windy days. This includes big items like arches and small items like flowers or napkins.
Bring shoes, but feel free to put your bare feet in the sand. Kicking it barefoot is great for soft, sandy beaches. But some beaches are rocky. And what about the parking lot? It’s smart to keep some shoes on hand.
Expect people. Unless you’ve booked a private beach, you’re likely to see and hear other people. In most cases, this isn’t an issue as strangers will respect that you’re having a wedding ceremony. But be patient if your
Follow these tips to make your beach-day wedding a day at the beach!
Acts of God
Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn. Maybe it’s a chaotic weather event, a government shutdown of your favorite national park, or a pandemic that shuts everything down. Yikes! Even when life gets too big to handle, know that if you’re my client, you are not alone. I am more than happy to help you navigate the wild and weird world to give you the best wedding possible.
Here are a few couples that faced big, chaotic moments and how they made the most of it:
A pandemic shuts down Keith & Caitlin’s wedding plans and why they decided to elope: When Isiah (our on-staff officiant and my husband) discussed Caitlin & Keith’s expectations for their wedding ceremony, the couple said, “We want it as short and sweet as possible.” And they meant it! After rescheduling their wedding several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdowns, they finally decided to abandon their original plans and elope instead. Even through all that chaos, the wedding was beautiful. A handfasting, two “I do”s, and lots of photos—our couple felt relieved and overjoyed that they were finally married!
Flooding threatens Melody & Tyler’s Death Valley wedding day: Melody & Tyler were eyeing Death Valley for their outdoor elopement. But as the big day got closer, a once-in-a-century rainstorm flooded the desert landscape, destroying the roads. This risked shutting down their national park wedding day plans. The solution? I kept in close contact with the couple regarding the road conditions and regularly checked in with the park online and some friends who live there. All in all, things worked out. But just goes to show that anything can happen—including flooding in the driest place on earth!
The big takeaway here? Keep in close communication with your wedding and elopement photographer. Yes, pandemonium can happen. But with a good attitude, good contingency plans, and a good photographer willing to help you along—your wedding day can make it!
Your Weather-Ready Wedding Day
Wind, rain, sand, or snow—put your wedding day into the hands of a compassionate professional photographer. Reach out to Love & Latitudes about your wedding day!
