I got you covered with a quick guide to weather in Melbourne

This was a wedding I will never forget. There I was attempting to shoot Alyce and Jacks’ ceremony, there was a slight patter of rain, a mist shall we say. Then it got darker and darker, the rain came down heavier and heavier till it was full on pelting down, the noise of the rain smashing down on the umbrella. My feet were starting to sink into he ground. And it was splashing so hard back up my legs, till I was drenched from knee down. For alot of people it’s their biggest fear! I’m here to calm you and say it’ll be fine. So What to do if it rains on your wedding day…..?

Did this stop the beautiful outdoor ceremony of Alyce and Jack’s wedding in Dayelsford ….NOPE, they stood there in the rain huddled under a gazebo, guests huddled tightly under umbrellas and they continued. It was beautiful and epic and everyone still had the biggest smiles on their faces. 

Instead of hiding from the rain, they danced in it. Hearts set on having as much fun as possible, they braved the most extreme weather and made every moment look effortless. With their picturesque valley views now covered in clouds and their stunning attire now a bit damp and muddy, they let their love be the star of the show and their photos look nothing short of a fairy tale!

Because here’s the thing about rain on your wedding day – while it might not be what you planned for, it often creates moments of pure joy that simply wouldn’t exist otherwise. Those shared laughs as you navigate the rain, the intimacy of huddling under an umbrella… it’s all there to remind you that this is your person – through rain, hail or shine.

What to do if it rains on your wedding day?

From practical planning tips to the unique photo opportunities that only rain can bring, I’m going to share everything I’ve learned about making the most of wet weather weddings as a wedding photographer. Because with the right preparation (and mindset), I can tell you that rain doesn’t have to dampen your celebration. In fact, it might just add an extra splash of magic to your day.

Planning Ahead

The best way to make sure that wet weather doesn’t ruin your day is to plan for it! Even though the weather app says 1mm of rain ( that was not 1mm) prepare for a monsoon and hope for a light shower.  Factor in some breathing room when it rains, walking from A to B takes longer as you have to be careful on the slippery ground, while carrying your gorgeous dress all bundled up. 

Have a back up plan for your venue, including undercover areas for photos, and decide on how/when you’ll make the call to switch plans if necessary. Also embrace the rain, if you can get married outside under cover in the rain go for it why not. Luckily for Alyce and Jack there was a huge beautiful tree that all the guests ended up standing under so it wasn’t that heavy.

Umbrellas are an obvious must-have, and it’s important that you have enough for your entire crew as well as make sure they are white or clear for the best photos. Have some emergency supplies on hand like towels, back up shoes, extra hair and makeup essentials for touch ups and anything you need to protect special items from being ruined by the rain. 

Embracing the day if it rains.

If it’s looking like rain is on the cards for your big day, check historical weather data as well https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/past-weather-and-climate this can give you a rough idea if historically on your wedding date it is likely to rain. 

 Keeping spirits high and embracing the rain is your best bet for a smooth wedding. Communication is key – how will guests be informed of any alternate plans? Who will coordinate any changes with your vendors? Make sure you have someone else taking care of these details so you’re free to focus on having fun and marrying your person.

When the weather is unpredictable, it’s a good idea to make the most of indoor spaces, keeping your guests as comfortable as possible. I’m sure you will receive a bunch of message prioir saying What to do if it rains on your wedding day? Make sure your venue has the option for teas and coffees and hot chocolate. The venue was so kind and offered everyone Tea, coffee and hot chocolate for the kids, plus plenty of towels to dry off. To b honest all of this made for beautiful images. 

I always say when people talk about your wedding the second most talked about comment is the weather, people will say

‘Lovely wedding but oh boy it was hot’, or chilly, rainy, snowing. Then the food and drinks. These are the three top things guests will talk about

1. Weather
2. What we ate (food)
3. Were the drinks good

Luckily The Hotel Belinzona had exceptional food, the best cocktails they couldn’t change the weather but the venue is fabulous and staff were incredible at handling the situation.

Make the most of the photo opportunities

I often find after a rain storm the skies will part and you can get 1 of two things:

1. Epic Rainbow
2. Phenomenal clouds and potential for epic sunset.   
3. If you are golden hour fans, that is likely to get washed out but as I said you will get one of the two above. Of course, cosy indoor portraits will also make an appearance and your photographer will be able to guide you on how best to navigate that dance between indoor and outdoor photos depending on the time of day and intensity of the rain. 

While it’s rarely someone’s first choice to have rain on their wedding day, it really can make for the most intimate, memorable and fun celebration that you’ve always wanted. Some of the most stunning moments I’ve ever captured have been at weddings with less than ideal weather, but what sets them apart is the couple’s willingness to embrace the day, have fun regardless and not let anything dampen their mood.

So …..What to do if it rains on your wedding day? I hope now you feel you can answer that question.

If you’re on the hunt for a wedding photographer who can capture your love story in every light, no matter the weather, I’d love to be part of your dream team.Get in touch here and let’s get you prepared to say ‘I do’, no matter the weather.

As my past couples have said they always hope for clouds when I’m around they love the way I capture clouds. I am a slight weather freak and and a storm chaser. If there’s clouds, hot sun, pelting rain, wind, thunder you better strap in and prepare for an adventure because we’re going in !!!

Melbourne Weddings. Getting married in Melbourne. Melbourne wedding ceremony locations. Engagement photo locations Melbourne. Melbourne reception venues. Weddings in Melbourne. Beach Wedding Melbourne. Micro wedding Melbourne. Wedding planners Melbourne. Wedding planner Melbourne. Yarra Valley Wedding. Warburton wedding photographer. Mornington Peninsula wedding. Getting married in Mornington. Melbourne Celebrants. Wet weather wedding. Rainy weddings tips. What to do if it rains on your wedding day.