You have been dreaming about your wedding day for as long as you can remember…and my guess is…it didn’t involve rain. Seeing rain in the forecast the week before your wedding day can be so discouraging, I know…I’ve been there.
Weather is so unpredictable and any wedding day, no matter the season, has the chance to get rained on. But I have good news…rain isn’t a bad thing (in fact many think that it is good luck!).
As a NH Wedding Photographer I have done my fair share of rainy wedding days, and you know what, they all ended the same as every other wedding. The couple got married! Isn’t that what it is all about?!
You will still get married. You will still get beautiful images. You will still have the BEST day ever. I can totally understand feeling a little uneasy about the idea of having a rainy wedding day, so below are 4 things that I believe will make your rainy wedding day easier.
Planning a wedding in New Hampshire? Here’s how to prepare for rain without letting the forecast ruin your excitement.
You’ve been dreaming about your wedding day for as long as you can remember…and my guess is, that dream probably didn’t involve rain.
Seeing rain in the forecast the week before your wedding can feel discouraging. I get it. As a New Hampshire wedding photographer, I’ve photographed my fair share of rainy wedding days, and I’ve seen firsthand how quickly a couple can go from
“Oh no, it’s going to rain!” to “Wait…this is actually kind of amazing.”
Because here’s the thing:
Rain doesn’t mean your wedding day is ruined.
You will still get married. You’ll still have beautiful photographs. You’ll still laugh, dance, cry, eat cake, hug your favorite people, and have the best day ever.
And sometimes? Rain makes a wedding day even more memorable.
New Hampshire weather can be unpredictable, especially during the spring and fall, so having a plan can make all the difference. Here are seven of my favorite ways to prepare for a rainy wedding day—and actually enjoy it.
1. Consider an Updo
Usually when rain is in the forecast, wind and humidity aren’t far behind.
If you’re planning to spend some time outside for portraits, consider wearing your hair up or choosing a hairstyle that will hold up well in humidity and wind.
Of course, you should wear your hair however you feel most beautiful. But if you’re torn between wearing it down or putting it up, your wedding day weather forecast might help make that decision.
And don’t worry an updo doesn’t mean you can’t have romantic, movement-filled photos. There are plenty of ways to capture beautiful portraits while keeping your hair looking amazing.
Pro tip: Talk to your hairstylist ahead of time about your plans for outdoor portraits. They may have some tricks for keeping your hairstyle intact even when the weather isn’t cooperating.
2. Bring Rain Boots
This is one of my favorite rainy wedding day accessories.
If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, portraits, or even just want to venture outside with your photographer, consider bringing a pair of cute rain boots.
Because wet wedding shoes are no fun.
Rain boots also give you permission to embrace the weather instead of fighting it. Put them on, grab your umbrella, pick up your dress, and go have some fun.
I’ve photographed rainy weddings You will be much more comfortable keeping your feet dry. I shot a rainy wedding day last year where the entire wedding party was wearing these rain boots, and it made for some of the most fun, personality-filled photographs of the day.
You can always switch back into your wedding shoes when you head inside.
3. Keep a Few Clear Umbrellas on Hand
Clear umbrellas are a rainy wedding day photographer’s best friend.
They keep you dry while still allowing beautiful, soft natural light to reach your face. And because they’re transparent, they don’t compete with the people in the photograph.
That makes them especially great for portraits.
I always recommend having a few on hand—not just one. If you’re planning to take your wedding party outside, you’ll want enough umbrellas for everyone.
And don’t think of an umbrella as something that has to be hidden from your photographs.
Use it.
Walking together under an umbrella, dancing in the rain, sharing one with your new spouse…these can become some of the most emotional and memorable images from your entire wedding gallery.
4. Have a Rain Plan—and Then Let It Go
This might be the most important one.
Before your wedding day, talk with your venue and photographer about what happens if it rains.
Where will your ceremony take place?
Where can you take family portraits?
Is there a covered area for cocktail hour?
Are there indoor spaces with good natural light?
When will you make the final call about moving things indoors?
Having those conversations before your wedding day means you don’t have to figure everything out while you’re getting ready.
Once you have a plan, let your vendors handle the logistics.
Your job is to get married.
5. Leave Some Flexibility in Your Timeline
Rain doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend the entire day indoors.
New Hampshire weather can change quickly. I’ve had wedding days where the forecast looked terrible and we ended up with a beautiful window of weather just when we needed it.
If your timeline has a little flexibility, your photographer can watch the weather and take advantage of those breaks.
Maybe we sneak outside for ten minutes between showers.
Maybe the rain stops right before sunset.
Maybe we wait until after the ceremony to take portraits.
You don’t need perfect weather all day. You just need a little window.
And if that window never comes? We make beautiful photographs indoors and embrace the weather we’ve been given.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Get It a Little Dirty
I know. This one can sound terrifying.
You’ve spent so much time choosing your dress that the idea of getting it wet or dirty can feel impossible.
But here’s the secret: your dress is meant to be worn.
If we decide to head outside for portraits, we’ll be thoughtful about where we go and how we protect it. We can find covered areas, use steps and walkways, and work around puddles.
And if the bottom gets a little dirty?
That’s okay.
Your wedding photos aren’t supposed to look like a styled photo shoot where nothing ever happened. They’re supposed to tell the story of your wedding day.
Sometimes the muddy hem is part of the story.
7. Have a GREAT Attitude
You knew I had to go here.
But honestly, this is the one that matters most.
You can’t control the weather.
You can control how you experience it.
Rain doesn’t mean you have to spend your wedding day worrying about your photographs. In fact, some of my favorite wedding photographs happen because couples decide to stop worrying and just have fun.
Dance in the rain.
Run through the drizzle.
Kiss under an umbrella.
Let your veil blow around.
Laugh when your shoes get wet.
Hold your new spouse a little tighter.
Take hold of your story and roll with it.
Because years from now, you’re probably not going to remember whether the forecast said 40% or 90% chance of rain.
You’re going to remember getting married to your favorite person.
And that’s what we’re photographing.
What If It Rains on Your New Hampshire Wedding Day?
If you’re planning a New Hampshire wedding, my biggest piece of advice is this:
Don’t let the weather become the main character.
Your wedding day is about the two of you—not the forecast.
As a NH wedding photographer, I’ve learned that some of the most beautiful wedding galleries aren’t the ones with perfect blue skies. They’re the ones where couples trusted the process, stayed present, and let their wedding day unfold naturally.
Rain can create soft, dreamy light.
It can make colors feel richer.
It can create reflections and movement.
And it can give you an excuse to get a little closer to the person you just married.
It can also get you in People Magazine, like this sweet couple below.
So if you wake up on your wedding day and it’s raining?
Take a breath.
Grab your umbrella.
And go get married.
One Last Thing…
It actually sprinkled on my wedding day.
Our wedding was on July 29, and thank goodness it rained because what could have been an absolute scorcher turned into a beautiful, comfortable 75-degree day.
I wasn’t profusely sweating through my dress, so I’m calling that a win.
Sometimes the thing you were worried about ends up being the thing you’re grateful for.
Looking for a New Hampshire Wedding Photographer?
If you’re planning a wedding in New Hampshire and want photographs that feel natural, emotional, and true to the day—not just perfectly posed—I’d love to hear about your plans.
Whether your wedding day brings sunshine, clouds, rain, or a little bit of everything, we’ll make beautiful photographs together.
More New Hampshire Wedding Planning Resources
Planning a wedding in New Hampshire? You may also love:
- Top NH Wedding Venues
- The Best Wedding Venues Near Boston | Outside City Limits
- Best Portsmouth NH Wedding Venues
- How to Make Your Wedding Day More Personal
