TIPS: Whatever the Weather

This blog post contains wedding tip after wedding tip, (14 in fact!) for dealing with the weather on your wedding day!  

Wedding Tip - Use shades to create a funky image

the sun is shining

In the post When to Get Married I discussed pros and cons of times of the year to get married. June, July and August are the most popular months to get married in the UK and although you cannot guarantee the weather you have a good chance of getting a warm and sunny day on which to make your vows. We had a beautiful day, not a rain cloud in sight!  This is perfect for any wedding with outdoor elements, be it the ceremony, reception or mingling between the main events.  From a photography perspective though, full sunshine causes the subjects to squint and also creates harsh shadows.

Weather Tip 1: Harsh shadows caused by bright sunlight can be over come by finding some dappled shade.

Weather Tip 2: Try taking some funky shots using sunglasses.

Weather Tip 3: I bought a pretty umbrella, useful in the rain but that can provide some shade, especially if like me you burn easily in the sun.  I didn't want to risk getting the dress stained by using sun cream, so this was an excellent alternative.  Your photographer can also get creative with umbrella shots.

Rain, rain go away

Overcast skies are actually the best as far as lighting goes, however having dry weather is far better than rain if outside photographs are required. A friend of mine had rain on her special day.  She told me of going into the bathroom and literally wringing our her train, but they had had such fun during the day and while taking their pictures, that it really didn't matter.

Weather Tip 4: If it does rain on your wedding day, just roll with it!

Weather Tip 5: You can make use of an umbrella for intimate shots with your new spouse.

Weather Tip 6: Maybe do fun shots of the bride and bridesmaids in welly boots.

Night time wedding umbrella shot

Feeling the heat

So what if your day is really hot?  If the guys are wearing full tail suits, waistcoats etc, it is easy to overheat.

Weather Tip 7: I would suggest that you only don the jacket at the last possible moment, and remove it when it is not required.

Weather Tip 8: Some brides wear big full-length dresses, and although it may be strapless, it gets mighty warm will all that trapped air! Perhaps think about having a small fan near by, a small fold up one that you can keep with your bouquet or in a friends bag is perfect.

Weather Tip 9: Make sure you have access to plenty of water, before the ceremony and after, to avoid dehydration.

Windy Weather

Weather Tip 10: If it is a particularly windy day, make sure you use plenty of hair pins and extra hairspray.

Weather Tip 11: If your car can have the top down, wait until after the ceremony and photographs! This also applies if you are driving some distance or at speed.  You don't want to arrive looking all disheveled after having spent time and money having your hair fixed just so.

Snowy White

Now on to snow. Think about temperature and the outfits you and your bridal party will be wearing.

Weather Tip 12: It's easy for the guys to add an extra layer of a white t-shirt to keep warm.

Weather Tip 13: If you have a strapless dress you may get cold quickly.  You could use a faux fur wrap or a pashmina to add warmth.  You could also go for a dress that has a matching jacket. Consider also your bridesmaids, as they may well be in short dresses or dresses made of thin material.  It is unlikely that they will have the number of layers that come with a net underskirt.

Weather Tip 14: If you can brave the cold you can get some stunning images with a snowy backdrop. Hopefully your photographer will be considerate to your feelings and let you cover up between shots, or make any outside shots as quick as possible. Breaking the sessions up into a few 5-10 minute slots rather than a full 30-60 minutes outside works well in really cold weather.

Whatever weather you end up with, enjoy your day and don't let it spoil the excitement and love you feel.  

Best of luck and may the weather Gods be kind!

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