8 Tips to Capture Wedding Photos in the Rain

When photographing a wedding, snapping shots in the rain is often seen as a challenge, but it actually brings a unique emotion, intimacy, and atmosphere that clear skies can’t match. Rain can be a powerful storytelling element for your wedding photos. 

Capturing beauty when conditions aren’t ideal is what sets great wedding photographers apart.

With the right approach and a positive attitude, rainy day wedding photos can become some of the most epic photos in your portfolio. In this guide, we’ll share seven tips to capture amazing wedding photos in the rain.

1. Prepare Clients Emotionally (and Logistically)

Setting clear expectations about rain early on helps keep everyone on the same page. Mention the possibility of a rainy wedding day during client meetings and include rainy-day moments in your photography pricing guide or planning process. Sharing examples of rainy wedding photos from your portfolio reassures couples that beautiful images are possible even in less-than-ideal weather.

Rain often brings some of the most spontaneous and emotional moments.

Trevor Dayley says, “The bride and groom are going to be looking at you for reassurance that everything will be ok... Keep it positive and make sure they understand you are down to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at you and will still get beautiful images.” 

Working closely with the wedding planner and venue helps you adapt if the forecast calls for rain, finding windows to capture photos when the sky clears.

Remember, it rarely rains all day. 

Audrey Grace Photography advises, “Rain will come and go, and we will do our best to sneak in your photos during the parts of the day that it’s not raining.” 

Preparing couples beforehand sets the tone for a calm, confident wedding day, even if rain is part of the story. When couples know what to expect and trust that you’re ready to adapt, they are more likely to stay relaxed and enjoy their big day despite the weather. This positive mindset helps create authentic moments that translate into stunning, heartfelt images, showing that rain doesn’t have to be an obstacle but rather a beautiful part of their wedding journey

2. Essential Rain Gear for Wedding Photographers

Having the right photography gear is crucial when photographing weddings in rainy weather. Protect your camera and lenses with rain sleeves or weatherproof covers designed to keep your equipment dry without slowing you down. 

Clear umbrellas are a must.

Joy Michelle of Joy Michelle Photography notes, “Clear umbrellas are your friend... I have a pack of clear umbrellas I keep with me at every wedding.”

They look great in photos and won’t block the natural light or view.

What to pack checklist:

• Bring microfiber cloths and towels to dry your gear and quickly wipe lenses.
• Pack plastic bags to protect backups or electronics.
• Include backup shoes or socks for comfort, especially when moving between outdoor and covered areas.
• Keep your kit compact and reliable to stay agile during a rainy wedding day.
• Carry a storm jacket or rain jacket to maintain your own comfort and mobility.
• Staying dry and comfortable makes it easier to focus on capturing epic photos, even in a torrential downpour or light rain.

Check out our guide on must-have wedding photography accessories you need to be ready for your next wedding shoot

3. Scout the Venue with Rain in Mind

Before the big day, visit the venue and identify covered areas that offer depth and interesting backgrounds for rainy wedding photos. Look for porches, archways, greenhouses, or even marquees where you can shoot couple portraits and bridal party photos while staying dry. Reflective surfaces like puddles, wet streets, or windows add creative opportunities to your gallery.

Discuss rain contingency plans with the venue team and ask if they have designated spots for formal portraits in case of heavy rain. If the ceremony is outdoors, coordinate with the wedding planner to discuss alternative layouts that still provide great natural light and atmosphere despite rainy weather.

Planning ahead for the venue’s rainy-day possibilities lets you move quickly and confidently. This preparation helps ensure you’re ready to create epic photos no matter what the forecast calls for.

4. Rain-Friendly Posing Ideas

When shooting rainy wedding day photos, keep movement and natural reactions front and centre. Encourage couples and the bridal party to walk, run, or dance under umbrellas for lively, dynamic shots. Close, connected poses, such as sharing a coat or playfully shielding each other from raindrops, add intimacy and warmth to the images.

Let the couple react naturally to the rain. Laughter, surprise, and even happy tears make for some of the most powerful wedding photos. Shoot quickly but stay calm; your confidence helps the couple relax despite the wet weather.

For this shot, the couple is positioned closely under a clear umbrella to maintain an intimate and natural focus. Have the groom gently kiss the bride’s forehead — a tender, affectionate gesture that conveys warmth despite the rainy setting. 

Use the clear umbrella as a soft frame around them, allowing the natural light to filter through and highlight their faces without harsh shadows.

Capture the subtle raindrops on the umbrella surface for texture, but keep the background softly blurred to ensure the couple remains the center of attention. Aim for a shallow depth of field to create a dreamy, romantic mood that emphasizes connection and comfort amid the rain.

5. Creative Rain Techniques That Elevate Your Gallery

Rain can become a dramatic, visually striking element in your wedding photography when you use the right techniques. Backlighting raindrops with off-camera flash creates sparkling droplets that add magic to couple portraits or bridal party shots. 

Trevor Dayley advises, “The best way to get raindrops to show up in a picture is to backlight them. I like to do this with flashes, but this could also be done with a porch light or even the sun.”

Experiment with shutter speed to either freeze the rain for crisp, dynamic action or blur it to convey motion and mood. Look for reflections in puddles, wet pavement, or windows to add depth and storytelling layers to your images. Incorporate cars, architecture, and covered areas as natural frames or visual anchors in your compositions.

Silhouettes in the rain can create bold, moody portraits that stand out from typical wedding photos. Rain provides an advantage, adding texture and atmosphere that turn ordinary shots into epic photos.

6. Keep Couples Warm, Dry(ish), and Happy

Comfort is key when working through rainy weather on a wedding day. Bring hand towels and warm layers or backup coats to help your couple stay cozy between shots. Offering quick breaks in covered areas can keep energy up and spirits high despite the wet conditions.

Maintain a positive attitude and remind the couple that rain is part of their unique story. Encourage spontaneity with phrases like, “Let’s make this part of your day unforgettable.” Pose efficiently, praise often, and avoid lingering too long in one spot to keep the mood light and fun.

Remember, staying calm and upbeat helps your couple feel confident even in unfortunate weather. Your energy sets the tone, so be the steady presence that turns a rainy wedding day into memorable, joyful moments.

Wondering what to wear to stay comfortable for your next shoot? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Photographer Outfit.

7. Editing Tips to Enhance Rainy Wedding Photos

When editing wedding photos in the rain, embrace the mood and atmosphere the weather provides. Focus on enhancing depth and natural light rather than fighting the conditions. Boost contrast to make rain textures stand out, and consider converting some frames to black and white for a dramatic effect.

Pay close attention to skin tones, as wet light can sometimes wash out or cool down complexions. Adjust accordingly to keep your subjects looking vibrant and natural. Organize and save your favourites to build a standout rainy-day portfolio that showcases your skill in capturing emotion under challenging conditions.

With the right editing mindset, rainy wedding photos can become some of your most powerful and memorable images.

8. Give Your Couple a Surprise

Capturing wedding photos in the rain requires not only creativity and preparation but also efficiency in post-processing. After a day spent navigating wet conditions and seizing fleeting moments, your couple will appreciate seeing their story come to life in what will seem like a matter of minutes. 

Delivering a surprise preview gallery within 24 to 48 hours can brighten their day and reinforce their excitement as they recount the highlights of their wedding day.

Tools like Aftershoot allow you to speed up your editing workflow while maintaining your personal style. Whether you choose to apply Aftershoot’s AI Styles or create your own AI Profile (trained with your signature editing style), you can turn around beautiful, polished photos fast, even from a rainy wedding day. This timely delivery helps you stand out, keeps clients happy, and encourages referrals long after the rain has passed.

Get your free trial now and give your clients what they really want, a beautiful wedding photo gallery within moments of their special day. 

Creating Unforgettable Wedding Photos in the Rain

Rain doesn’t ruin a wedding; it reveals it. The closeness, the improvisation, and the laughter when things don’t go as planned create some of the most unforgettable wedding photos in the rain. Capturing these genuine moments takes skill, preparation, and a positive mindset.

With the right approach, a rainy wedding day can lead to epic photos that stand out in any couple’s gallery.

Embracing the weather rather than resisting it helps to create timeless images that stand out, not in spite of the rain, but because of it. After all, it’s the unplanned moments that often become the most unforgettable.