Happy Thursday, friends! Meredith of Meredith McKee Photography here wrapping up my 3-part series on the Elegant Affairs blog! Today I wanted to talk with you about something we deal with a lot here in the Pacific Northwest… RAIN! You’ve all heard the old adage, “it’s good luck to have rain on your wedding day!” but in most cases, you probably don’t want to be the actual reality. Truth is, you spend months and months of planning, but no amount of spreadsheets can predict Mother Nature. Those spreadsheets can, however, include back up plans and a few tips & tricks to see the silver lining! I have pulled together a few suggestions on how to embrace the rain on your wedding day and get the most out of your Pacific Northwest celebration!

First, try embracing the fact that it is often pretty rainy here in Washington! Could you have asked for a more Pacific Northwest day than one with an added bit of drizzle? I often joke with my couples that have friends and family visiting from out of town that they wanted to show their guests the true beauty of Washington… and that often includes a little wetness! Luckily, since we live in what can feel like a rain forest, vendors are especially prepared for these conditions. I personally have waterproof camera covers & always wear my favorite black rain boots!  

I call clouds “nature’s diffuser” - They provide even lighting that doesn’t cast harsh shadows or shadows under your eyes. This is perfect for midday wedding party & family portraits and can also keep you from baking in the heat. It is also unlikely to rain all day, so use a break in the downpour to run outside with your photographer and capture a few spontaneous shots!

Secondly, be prepared for the wet weather, especially in the non-summer months. One of my favorite examples was a couple of mine getting married in October in Seattle (I believe it was touted as the wettest October in Seattle on record). They had the foresight to embrace the weather this time of year and had custom umbrellas made as their guest favors! Brilliant! We then used them for their wedding party photos & portraits as well. Get creative & don’t be afraid to rock some rain boots, or get matching umbrellas for everyone in your wedding party!

Thirdly, have some back up locations for portraits & of course, your wedding ceremony. You’ll want to avoid any additional stress over a weather crisis situation so having a plan B is key. Brainstorm some fun indoor locations for photos like record stores, ice cream shops, under awnings or bridges - get creative, and cozy! For your ceremony, consider venues that have a great indoor option, or you can even rent a clear tent! These provide magical outdoor lighting as well as keeping you dry.

I hope this helps calm your nerves a little bit about how to embrace rain on your wedding day! You’re only going to wear your wedding dress once, so I’ll be the first to tell you, it’s OK if it gets a little muddy! Cheers!