I had a bride text me last night saying she’s been praying for sunshine for her wedding this Saturday. Right now, the forecast is predicting cold temperatures (in the 30s!), sunshine and no rain, so my bride is pretty happy. Of course she’d rather it be warm, but she’s just happy it’s not supposed to rain.

I know almost every bride out there is probably guilty of looking at the weather forecast 5,379 times before their wedding day. They want good weather conditions for their outdoor ceremony, tent reception or pictures, so as soon as that long-term forecast is available, they’re checking! I did the same thing before my wedding day. Two weeks out, I started looking at the forecast and believing it.

It rained on my wedding day. It rained so much that the outdoor ceremony was relocated inside, guests carried umbrellas with them, and rain showers can be heard in our wedding video. But that’s not what the forecast said two weeks out. It said warm temperatures and no rain. But two weeks out? How accurate can that forecast be?

As a photographer scheduling outdoor sessions and photographing outdoor weddings, AND as a girl who had rain on her wedding day, I’ve learned to never believe the forecast until at least a couple days before. And that’s exactly what I told my bride last night. Yes she was happy there was no rain in the forecast, but she was hoping for not-so-cold temperatures. She did, however, decide to prepare for whatever weather conditions God might send us, making the most out of a potential not-so-ideal situation for pictures.

She bought a fancy umbrella in case it rains and a fur coat for some added warmth and style during pictures. That’s exactly what I would have advised her to do and that’s what I tell all my brides worried about weather forecasts for their wedding day. You can’t change the weather, so make the most of the rain and cold. See it as an opportunity to include pretty umbrellas, rain boots, shawls, colorful cardigans and fur coats (a personal favorite of mine!!) in your pictures! Such accessories add a little extra spunk and uniqueness to the pictures, they help withstand the weather conditions and they’re a great display of what your wedding day was really like.

All of the pictures in this post were taken on wedding days with not-so-ideal weather conditions. Rain and cold were part of the forecast, so the brides and grooms made the best of it by including umbrellas and warm coverings. And don’t their pictures still look great? Don’t they all look so happy and married!?! That’s what happens. You still get married and you still get some good pictures! It can also work for engagement sessions, too! See below. 🙂

So in closing, here are my two tips when it comes to weather forecasts and weddings: Don’t believe the forecast until at least a couple days out and make the most of not-so-ideal weather conditions with added accessories! Happy weather-forecast-watching!