Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
We wish we could control the weather (seriously, that would be an amazing superpower). But we don’t have that skill. What we can do, though, is photograph rainy day elopements (or any other weather that Mother Nature throws at us – windstorms, hail, snow, rain, fog, smoke – you name it). We’ve encountered all of this weather before with our couples and we’ve made magic every single time. Some of our most stunning elopement photos have happened on days when the weather didn’t cooperate (keep scrolling to see for yourself).
If you’re stressing about the 10-day forecast showing rain for your best day ever, we’ll let you in on a little secret: weather in the mountains tends to move fast. That forecast is probably going to change three more times before your day, so try not to stress too much.
But, even if the weather isn’t what you hoped for, it’s okay to feel bummed. You can have emotions about it – that’s normal! Just remember, you’re here to get married and experience this incredible day with your person. Yes, the photos are important (obviously, we’re photographers!), but what’s more important is you having a beautiful day with your partner, and sometimes that means reframing what “perfect” looks like.
In this guide, we’re sharing our top rainy wedding day tips, plus how to prepare mentally and practically for whatever weather comes your way.
Planning Your Elopement Weather Strategy
- Rainy Wedding Day Tips and Other Weather Scenarios We’ve Encountered
- What to Wear for a Cold Wedding (and Other Rainy Day Weather Tips)
- Working with Photographers Who Know PNW Weather
- Your Rainy Day Wedding Questions Answered
- Ready to Plan Your Best Day Ever?
Rainy Wedding Day Tips and Other Weather Scenarios We’ve Encountered
Rain
Rain is one of the most common weather concerns for Pacific Northwest elopements, and it’s something our couples ask us about a lot. While we do our best to plan for clear day elopements, sometimes rain is unavoidable. When it happens, here’s how we work with it.
Plan for covered spaces
If you’re having a micro wedding dinner or reception (or just want a space to duck out of the drizzle), choose locations with natural cover like forest canopies, picnic shelters at state parks, or cabins with covered porches. Day-use areas often have covered pavilions you can reserve affordably that are ideal for rainy-day wedding celebrations.
Pack the right gear
One of the best ways to prepare for rain on your wedding day is to pack the right gear. Clear umbrellas are essential (they look great in photos and keep you dry). Other important items include rain jackets, waterproof boots, towels for drying off between locations, extra socks/shoes, and plastic bags to protect your vows, rings, and phone.
Check the cloud base (or have us do it for you)
This rainy wedding day tip is a little more technical, but understanding the cloud base will help determine whether rain means moody magic or total soaking. As your photographers, we’ll assess the cloud base for you, but in general, if it’s at 10,000 feet, you can expect gorgeous foggy mountain views. If it’s lower (for example, 2,000 feet) and we’re planning a high alpine hike, we’ll be hiking into a literal cloud and get drenched. In these cases, we pivot to a lower elevation location instead.
Use microclimates to your advantage
Washington’s weather is very localized. It might be pouring rain in one area and sunny 30 minutes away. The North Cascades has completely different weather patterns from the Olympic Peninsula. This is why working with photographers who know the area matters so much. We know all the best spots to take you when rain hits.
While we can’t always avoid the rain (especially here in the PNW), some of our most magical photos happen on rainy days. It makes everything feel moody and romantic in a way sunny days just can’t match.
Snow
Snow is another common weather element couples often navigate in the mountains, especially during winter and the shoulder seasons. Here are a few snow elopement tips and ways we’ll help you plan.
Bring tire chains
If you’re heading into snowy mountain areas, you need tire chains on hand. We’ve seen our fair share of adventurers stuck on the side of the road, and we don’t want that to be you on your best day ever! If you’ve never used tire chains before, make sure you practice putting them on in advance (or have someone with you who has experience).
Layer strategically
Just like with rainy day elopements, layering is key. In colder weather, we recommend wearing skin-toned base layers under your wedding attire (trust us, these will be your best friends). Think neutral leggings and long-sleeve thermals that won’t show in photos but will keep you warm.
Assess active snow conditions (we can help with this)
The big question with snow is: “Is it actively snowing or did it just snow and the roads are clear?”. Fresh powder with clear skies is when the magic happens. But active snowfall means we need to consider safety and visibility, and might need to adjust your timeline or location accordingly. But if this happens, don’t worry. We know all the best locations in Washington, so we never have to scramble to find a new backup spot.
Other Weather to Know About
Heat
While temperatures in the Pacific Northwest are typically mild, summer can still get hot. If the forecast says 100 degrees at the base of the mountain, keep in mind that we’ll be going thousands of feet up, where it’ll be 10-15 degrees cooler. We also focus on sunrise and sunset adventures on hot days to avoid midday heat altogether.
Smoke
Wildfire smoke is typically something we encounter in the summer months, and this kind of weather affects both the visibility and air quality of a location. If we can’t see the mountains or the air quality is unsafe, we’ll pivot to a different location at a lower elevation or along the coast where the marine layer pushes smoke inland.
Wind
Coastal regions and high mountain passes can be especially windy. This weather element is mostly a hair consideration, which is why working with a professional hair and makeup artist is so important. They know exactly how to make your hair stay put no matter how strong the wind gets (we’ve seen hairstyles that still look flawless after hours on a windy ridge!).
What to Wear for a Cold Wedding (and Other Rainy Day Weather Tips)
The last thing you want is to be shivering through your vows or hiking with wet feet all day. Weather might be unavoidable, but being uncomfortable doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to prep so you can actually enjoy whatever elements come your way.
Layers
Layering (especially in rainy or cold weather) is everything! Neutral-colored leggings or thermals under your wedding attire can help keep you warm and dry. You can also wear them as separate hiking layers, should you decide to change into your wedding attire on the trail.
Other items you may want to bring:
- A warm jacket you can easily take on and off between locations
- A blanket or wrap for staying warm while you’re not actively taking photos
- Extra socks (seriously, pack at least one extra pair)
Weather-specific essentials
If rain is in your wedding day forecast, here are a few essentials we absolutely recommend!
- Clear umbrellas (we usually have a few in the car, but having your own is helpful!)
- Waterproof boots or a backup pair of shoes
- Towels for drying off
- Plastic bags to protect your phone, vows, or rings (we’ve had couples cover their entire backpack with a trash bag to keep everything dry – genius!)
For elopement forecasts calling for snow, these items will be a lifesaver!
- Heavy jackets to keep warm in between photos
- Hand warmers
- Hot drinks in a thermos (this makes such a difference!)
- Gloves and a beanie for between photos
Working with Photographers Who Know PNW Weather
We’ve weathered it all with our couples (pun intended). Windstorms, hail, snow, rain, fog, smoke – sometimes all in one day (Read this couple’s story to see an example)! Weather in the mountains can change dramatically even within a few hours, and we know how to work with it no matter what comes your way.
Our biggest priority is always safety. We’re not going to put you in a dangerous situation just for a photo. But within safe parameters, we know how to make magic happen no matter what Mother Nature brings.
We focus on areas like the Pacific Northwest (and Kauai) because we know these areas like the back of our hand. If your original plan doesn’t work because of weather, we know exactly where to pivot and which lower elevation hikes still have mountain views and which forests are stunning in the rain.
We have all the weather gear (umbrellas, hand warmers, emergency supplies), we keep an eye on the forecasts for you, and we’ve photographed in every weather scenario enough times that we know how to make it beautiful. Basically, that means you can relax and trust that we’ve got you.
If you’re ready to weather the weather together, reach out to us here. We can’t wait to help you plan your best day (or days) ever!
Your Rainy Day Wedding Questions Answered
What are the best umbrellas for a rainy wedding day?
Clear dome umbrellas are our go-to for rainy day wedding photos. They don’t block your face in photos, they let light through, and they look elegant instead of clunky. We usually have a few in the car (they live there year-round at this point!), but you can find them online or at stores like Target. Look for sturdy ones, not the flimsy ones that flip inside out the second there’s wind.
How do I find waterproof wedding shoes?
This depends on how much hiking you’re doing! If you’re doing a serious trail, look for waterproof hiking boots that match your style. Or do what a lot of our couples do: bring two pairs of shoes. Wear your dream shoes for the ceremony and photos, then change into waterproof boots for any hiking portions. Nobody’s judging you for practical footwear choices (and these options are often much safer)! For some of our favorite elopement footwear brands, check out this blog post on choosing your elopement attire.
What should I do for wedding pictures if it rains?
Embrace it! Some of the most beautiful, romantic wedding photos happen in the rain. We’ll look for covered areas (forest canopies, rock overhangs), use umbrellas as props, and lean into the moody, intimate vibe that rain often creates. We’ve been shooting in Pacific Northwest weather for years, so we know exactly how to make those conditions work in your favor.
Ready to Plan Your Best Day Ever?
We hope these rainy day wedding tips help you feel prepared for whatever weather comes your way. The truth is, weather might change your plans, but it won’t ruin your day. Some of the most beautiful elopements happen when the weather doesn’t cooperate and you simply embrace whatever comes.
We can’t wait to help you plan an adventure elopement that’s going to be amazing no matter what the sky decides to do.
Contact us to start planning. Rain or shine, let’s create something beautiful together.
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