Rain on Your Wedding Day: A Blessing, Not a Curse

As a wedding photographer, I've seen it all: beautiful sunny days, dramatic sunsets, and, yes, even the occasional downpour. And while most couples dream of perfect weather for their big day, I’m here to tell you—rain can be one of the most magical things to happen to your wedding.

It’s easy to panic when you hear the forecast calling for showers, but in reality, rain on your wedding day can create unforgettable moments, stunning photos, and memories that last a lifetime. So, let’s reframe that wet weather worry and take a closer look at why rain might just be the blessing you didn’t know you needed.

1. A Romantic, Dreamy Atmosphere

There’s something inherently romantic about the soft, misty atmosphere that rain can create. The world seems to slow down, and everything feels a little more intimate. The sound of rain pattering against windows or the soft drizzle on the rooftop adds a touch of tranquility to the day. And that peaceful ambiance makes for incredibly beautiful, moody, and atmospheric photos.

2. Unique, One-of-a-Kind Photos

Rain offers a fantastic opportunity for some truly unique and creative wedding photos. As a photographer, I love capturing couples under umbrellas, in puddles, or in the soft glow of a rainy day’s light. The reflections in the water create dreamy, mirror-like images, and the soft, diffused light brings out the warmth in every shot. There's no need to shy away from the rain—embrace it! Some of the most memorable wedding photos come from moments where couples step outside their comfort zone and let nature take its course.

3. The Good Luck Factor

In many cultures, rain on your wedding day is considered good luck. It symbolizes prosperity, fertility, and the washing away of any bad energy, leaving only good things to come. Imagine starting your marriage with a bit of extra good fortune—what’s not to love about that?

4. No Worries About Sunburn or Squinting

While a sunny day might seem ideal, it can come with its own challenges—bright sunlight making everyone squint, or the possibility of guests getting sunburned. With rain, everyone’s a bit more comfortable. The temperature is cooler, and people are generally more relaxed. Plus, you can finally stop worrying about sweating through your wedding dress or suit!

5. The "Plan B" is Often Better Than Plan A

If you're hosting your ceremony or reception outdoors, you likely have a backup indoor location in place, and sometimes, the backup spot can be more intimate and cozy than your original plans. The indoor space may be more photogenic with softer lighting, or it could offer a lovely backdrop that you didn’t anticipate. In fact, many couples find that the indoor, cozy vibe on a rainy day feels more “them” than their outdoor vision.

6. The Love and Support of Your Guests Shines Through

When the rain starts to fall, it often brings people closer together. There’s something unifying about everyone rallying to help each other—whether it's sharing umbrellas, helping with outdoor photos, or simply offering warm hugs as they step inside. You’ll feel the love and support of your closest friends and family even more in those moments. It’s a beautiful reminder that marriage is about weathering the storms together, both literally and figuratively.

7. Perfect Weather for Cozy Details

Rain invites a cozy, intimate feel that can tie into your wedding theme perfectly. Think about candles, fairy lights, warm drinks, and fuzzy blankets—little details that make a wedding day feel special and personalized. If you're planning a fall or winter wedding, the rain will just add to that snug, fireside kind of magic. Plus, you can play up your decor with candles and soft lighting that create a warm, welcoming glow, which translates beautifully into your wedding photos.

8. It’s All About Your Attitude

At the end of the day, what matters most is your attitude. If you choose to see rain as an opportunity for beautiful photos, memorable moments, and unique memories, then it will be. Your wedding day is about the love you share, not the weather. When you embrace what comes your way, rain or shine, your wedding will still be perfect in every way that matters.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning for a spring shower or a spontaneous downpour, remember that your wedding day will be incredible, no matter what the weather has in store. Rain can bring unexpected beauty, incredible photos, and a deep sense of connection with the ones you love. So, if the rain comes, let it be a symbol of your marriage: strong, resilient, and able to weather any storm together.

And trust me—I’ll be right there, camera in hand, ready to capture every beautiful moment, no matter how wet we get! 🌧️💍

I hope this post helps you feel better about the possibility of rain on your wedding day. What’s your take on weather in weddings—do you love the idea of a rainy ceremony, or are you hoping for sunshine?

Liza & Brek | An Intimate Wedding Day

On this week’s blog I wanted to talk about Liza and Brek’s beautiful wedding day on October 4, 2024. Surrounded by their closest family and friends in a family home, a place that was meaningful to them, they tied the knot together! They had so many personalized elements to their wedding day that truly reflected who they are as a couple and individuals that I just had to share in a blog. It truly was a beautiful day and I’m beyond excited for the two of them to start this new chapter!

Dance Floor Props: Elevate Your Wedding Celebration with Fun and Flair!

The Andrews Farm, Mint to Be Weddings, Florabella, Cease Fire Productions

Your wedding day is a celebration of love, joy, and unforgettable moments, and one of the best ways to enhance that celebration is by adding some playful and creative dance floor props. Not only do they bring an extra dose of fun to the party, but they also make for some fantastic photo opportunities! Here’s why you should consider incorporating dance floor props into your wedding, and some ideas to get you started.

Why Dance Floor Props?

1. Unleash Creativity: Props add a layer of creativity and whimsy to your dance floor, giving your guests a chance to express themselves and let loose.

2. Boost the Energy: Props can elevate the energy of your party, encouraging everyone to hit the dance floor and engage with the celebration.

3. Capture Memorable Moments: From silly selfies to group shots, props create dynamic photo opportunities that will add a playful touch to your wedding album.

4. Break the Ice: If your guests come from different circles and may not know each other well, props can serve as a fun icebreaker and get everyone mingling.

Creative Dance Floor Prop Ideas

1. Personalized Signs: Custom signs with fun sayings, hashtags, or your wedding date can add a personal touch. They’re perfect for photo ops and can double as keepsakes.

2. Fun Hats and Glasses: Think oversized sunglasses, funky hats, or even feather boas. These items are perfect for lightening the mood and making for some hilarious dance floor photos.

3. Glow Sticks and LED Accessories: Light up the night with glow sticks, light up glasses, or even glow wands. These props can create a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere, especially in dimly lit venues. The options on Amazon are limitless!

4. Inflatable Instruments: Guitar and microphone inflatables are a hit for guests who want to rock out on the dance floor. They’re also great for those spontaneous air-guitar performances!

5. Photo Booth Props: Classic photo booth props like speech bubbles, mustaches, and lips can be a fun addition to your dance floor. Guests can use them to create silly and memorable pictures.

6. Personal Props: Think about things that you like or have meaning to you. For example, Son and Stanna (pictured here) used fat heads of their cats to incorrectly their fur babies and get the party going!

Tips for Using Dance Floor Props

1. Keep It Simple: Too many props can overwhelm guests. Choose a few standout items that will make a big impact.

2. Place Them Strategically: Set up a prop station near the dance floor where guests can easily grab and use them. Or, have your wedding planner assist on handing them out.

3. Encourage Use: Have your DJ or wedding planner announce the prop station and encourage guests to get involved.

4. Capture the Fun: Make sure your photographer is aware of the props and keeps an eye out for the fun moments they create.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating dance floor props into your wedding is a fantastic way to add personality, fun, and unforgettable memories to your celebration. With the right props, your dance floor will become the highlight of the night, filled with laughter, joy, and incredible photo opportunities. So, let your creativity shine, and watch as your wedding transforms into an unforgettable party experience!

Bridal Party Pose Ideas

There are soooo many poses that your photographer is going to put you in on your wedding day to get those Pinterest worthy photos. As a wedding photographer, I love when my clients come with specific photo/pose ideas, but also leave room for some creative freedom as well!

Today I wanted to talk about some bridal party pose ideas, especially for those with large parties! You don’t want anyone feeling left out, but you also don’t want the photos to feel too disengaged with a larger group!

Let’s start with the girls! To get started, I always love having the girls in a line with the bride in the middle. I’ll ask them to stand straight and look at the camera and then look at each other and laugh. This creates some giggles and laughter and makes the photos look more raw and unposed! After that, to get some movement going, I will have the girls walk toward the camera and talk to each other! Of course I always leave room for any ideas that the bride wants with all her girls!

Next up- the boys! The boys are usually a little bit easier because they don’t need/ want to do all the different poses like the girls do! I usually start with them in a line as well, and do a more formal photo with their hands in front and then a more relaxed photo with hands in their pockets. For this wedding, since the bridal party was larger and we had access to these cute stairs, I took advantage of being able to stagger them as well for a bit of a different photo! Add in a couple of fun personality shots and there you have it!

And finally- we have the two groups together. With larger groups like this it’s crucial to not make anyone feel left out, but also to still focus on the bride & groom. I like to do a mixture of far-away photos to get the while group together but then go also move in close and get the bride and groom surrounded by their people!

I also like to suggest a couple looking at the camera and smiling photos, and then lots of cheering photos while the bride and groom kiss! These photos just have a lot of emotion and excitement and I love them.

At the end of the day it’s all about curating photos that the bride and groom will cherish and love forever. If they come with specific ideas, then you best believe we’re doing them! It’s always nice to also give your photographer creative freedom as well because we do have the experience and knowledge of what looks good and what doesn’t. Trust in your photographer! They’re there for you two only you two!

Creating the Perfect Wedding Photo Timeline in 7 Easy Steps

Planning a wedding involves countless details, and one of the most crucial is the timeline of the day. A well-organized timeline ensures that everything runs smoothly and allows for beautiful, stress-free photography. As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how a thoughtfully crafted timeline can enhance the photography experience. Here are some essential tips for creating a wedding day timeline that will help capture your day in all its glory.

Step 1: Begin by outlining the main events of your wedding day, including:

• Preparation: Time for hair, makeup, and getting dressed.

• Ceremony: Start and end times.

• Reception: Start time, dinner, speeches, and dancing.

• Special Moments: Cake cutting, first dance, and any planned surprises.

Step 2: Allocate Time for Getting Ready

Allow ample time for you and your partner to get ready. Typically, 1.5 to 2 hours is ideal for hair and makeup, and at least an hour for getting dressed. However, this will vary depending on how many bridesmaids you have, so definitely be in communication with your stylist on how long they need to get you all ready! This time also allows your photographer to capture those candid, pre-wedding moments and details like the dress, rings, and bouquets.

Step 3: Decide if you are doing a first look, or waiting for the aisle.

If you choose to have a first look (a private moment before the ceremony), allocate about 30 minutes for this. It’s a fantastic way to capture emotional, intimate photos and can also help ease pre-ceremony jitters. If you choose to do a first look, you can also go ahead and take full bridal party photos and couples photos so you have more time to join cocktail hour. If you choose to wait for the aisle, you will need cocktail hour to take those photos! So plan accordingly depending on which option you choose.

A good rule of thumb is to allocate about 30-45 minutes for couple portraits and an additional 30 minutes for bridal party and family photos. Coordinate with your photographer to determine the best times for these shots, considering lighting and venue constraints.

PRO TIP- Also make sure that you come up with a shot list of which family members will be in which photos. This is especially important if there are some family members who don’t quite get along. This speeds up the process and avoids any unnecessary drama.

Step 4: Build in Breaks and Downtime

You’re going to be tired- odds are you were too excited to sleep the night before and it is an early morning getting you and all your girls ready to go. Plus, weddings can be overwhelming, so include short breaks in your timeline for you and your bridal party to relax and refresh. This can also be a good time for your photographer to capture candid moments and details.

Step 5: Factor in Sunset Times

For outdoor portraits, timing can be crucial. Check the sunset time for your wedding day and plan your couple portraits accordingly. The golden hour, the period shortly before sunset, provides soft, flattering light perfect for stunning photos. Keep in mind, you will probably have to leave your dinner or dancing, depending on what time of year you’re getting married.

Step 6: Communicate with Your Vendors

Share your timeline with all key vendors, including your photographer, videographer, and planner. Coordination ensures everyone is on the same page and can work together seamlessly on the day. If you have a planner, they should do this for you!

Step 7: Be Flexible

Even the best-planned timelines may need adjustments on the day. Build some flexibility into your schedule to accommodate any unforeseen changes or delays. Trust your photographer to handle any adjustments professionally.

Creating a detailed wedding day timeline is a crucial step in ensuring that your day is captured beautifully and runs smoothly. By planning ahead and allowing time for each important moment, you’ll set the stage for stunning photos and a memorable wedding day experience.