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Here, I confess to being a photography-obsessed bride. Throughout the planning, everything always came back to the photos- if it's in the photos it must look perfect, we must pick a photographer who has done a lesbian wedding before and done it well, we must shell out extra cash just to reserve a nearby professional garden for after-ceremony pics, etc. So, that's all wonderful, the plans are great- if (knocking on wood like crazy) the weather is nice. I am deathly afraid that it will rain and we will have to take pictures inside our church. I like our church- it will be nice for the ceremony pics, no problem there. But if all our photos are in the church? I would be so supremely dissapointed. I just might have to move to a nice hole under a rock somewhere. Really.
So, the question is- does anyone have ideas for how to save the day if the pictures must be done inside? I've only been able to think of two things- going to several local places that were important parts of our early relationship and taking fun pictures there in addition. And, I saw in a Martha Stewart Weddings magazine a real-wedding feature where the guests had their pictures taken in front of large hanging sheaths of cloth in different patterns, creating a really crazy/fun set of photos. Any other thoughts? We're not spending several grand on flowers here, so as it stands the sanctuary will not be decorated all that much. Help!

Hey, Kate!

Rain is a bummer but won't necessarily spoil everything. Your advance planning will certainly give you some great options as well.

My partner and I "enjoyed" a HURRICANE and massive rain showers during our wedding weekend and found that we had to change the location of our ceremony, photos, receptions, etc. In the end, the greatest compliment we received was from a guest who had attended and recently said, "it rained on your wedding day?" We had so much fun and continued on with our activities that she had forgotten about the torrential rains!

As for our pictures, my partner and I rain outside and took about 10 pictures during a brief rain hiatus and captured our favorite photo in that time. We also have some fun ones of us under big black umbrellas (which contrasted nicely with our light outfits).

Have you asked your photographer for ideas? He or she may have some suggestions for creative backdrops. Does your church have stained glass? Perhaps that might add a little extra color?

Or, what about renting a small tent that's set up high enough that the outdoor backdrop is caught but the tent is not? If you have a really hot day, this might be an advantage for pictures, as well, especially if the light isn't good at the time of day you'll be ready for photos.

Overall, I'd say this: if you are enjoying your day and your family, the subject(s) of the photos will come to life and the backdrop (inside or out) won't seem as essential.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Any other ideas out there? Or, stories of photos that turned out differently than you expected?

quote:

Originally posted by Kate:
Here, I confess to being a photography-obsessed bride. Throughout the planning, everything always came back to the photos- if it's in the photos it must look perfect, we must pick a photographer who has done a lesbian wedding before and done it well, we must shell out extra cash just to reserve a nearby professional garden for after-ceremony pics, etc. So, that's all wonderful, the plans are great- if (knocking on wood like crazy) the weather is nice. I am deathly afraid that it will rain and we will have to take pictures inside our church. I like our church- it will be nice for the ceremony pics, no problem there. But if all our photos are in the church? I would be so supremely dissapointed. I just might have to move to a nice hole under a rock somewhere. Really.
So, the question is- does anyone have ideas for how to save the day if the pictures must be done inside? I've only been able to think of two things- going to several local places that were important parts of our early relationship and taking fun pictures there in addition. And, I saw in a Martha Stewart Weddings magazine a real-wedding feature where the guests had their pictures taken in front of large hanging sheaths of cloth in different patterns, creating a really crazy/fun set of photos. Any other thoughts? We're not spending several grand on flowers here, so as it stands the sanctuary will not be decorated all that much. Help!

First of all, if you got a great photographer, your inside photos will be awesome and interesting, and about the people and not the surroundings!

Are your photographers coming early while you are getting ready? They can do some portraits and some getting-ready shots interspersed throughout the primping period, and while cluttered bathroom backdrops and the like aren't necessarily formal, they can be really fun and different, and most of all are really alive and emotional in a way that church portraits (sometimes) aren't. I was so surprised at how many of my favorite photos are from the getting ready period... not just of us, but of our families, because everyone was interacting and getting ready together, and there were just a lot of really great private, candid moments caught on film.

Second of all, you might make sure you have a nice, enormous umbrella or two on hand (who can't use one of those later on?) and then bravely go and take photos, at least of the two of you, in the elements, as the weather allows. You can do this at the end of the reception if you're worried about ruining your outfits, or sneak outside during an opportune weather moment.

We had a bit of a blizzard before our wedding, and then it got warmer and was a combination of slushy and icy. And we had a good-sized walk from the getting ready site to the church, and then another walk to the reception. The photos of our wedding party very, very carefully negotiating the enormous snowdrifts and puddles are both slightly *hilarious* and asthetically wonderful (my mother refers to them as "Fellini-esque" and has several of them enlarged on her wall). Our photographers took full advantage of the enormously long procession with all its comedy... and that could easily have been seen as a disaster, because really, we were terrified that we'd slip and yes, hemlines got a bit muddy post-ceremony.

I guess the real advice is to view your investment in a great photographer as a key to having interesting and wonderful photos that document your wedding day, no matter what happens. Sometimes the unexpected moments end up yielding the best photographs!

Oh, and ask your photographer- they might have ideas, or portfolios to look at to asauge your worries!

After living in England for a year and half, I photographed quite a few wet weddings. Any professional you hire should know how to take stunning photographs whether rain or shine.

If you and guests are having a blast, that will show in your photographs. And if it's raining on your wedding day, that should be part of the memories you keep.

White umbrellas can make for some beautiful images. Reflections and shadows of the rain hitting windows can create a lovely mood as well. Keep in mind that if it's dark outside, any stained glass may be quite dark as well.

If you really want sunny day photos and it's pouring rain, you can always ask your photographer to do a location shoot when you return from honeymoon.

I have to tell you that I was just looking at some photos one of my clients sent to me; their wedding was at the end of October. It was dark, it was cold, it was raining, it was outside. The photos are just amazing; you can't tell any of that(except for a tip of an umbrella one of the guests had, lol....)
I'm also thinking of another client who had the wedding in some of the worst fog I've seen. Their photographer took a photo of them tossing rose petals in the air (the only color that could be seen in a sea of black, white and grey).It was a wonderful and evocative photo.


If you get someone good, they will work with the elements and bring back great work, but that should be part of your discussion before you book them.