Dreamy Rainy Beach Elopement: How to Handle Rain on Your Wedding Day
When planning your dream elopement, you probably envision warm sunshine, clear blue skies, and a sweet, refreshing ocean breeze. Ahh, if I close my eyes, I can just picture it. Perfect.
But sometimes, the Big Day rolls around and then something called “The Real-World Weather” shows up to say HELLO.
It’s a bummer, it’s a drag. It might feel like your whole day is ruined because Mr. Rain decided to show up on the only day of the week that your wedding day was scheduled.
BUT. I have some news for you… It’s OKAY!!
Nothing is perfect. Especially the weather. In fact, one of the reasons why Hawai’i (where I live and work as a wedding photographer) is so lush and green, is because of the frequent rainshowers! Rain is also why we have beautiful rainbows.
So, whether it’s sun and blue skies, or cloud and moody skies, you’re still going to marry the love of your life. So if it rains on your Big Day, I’d encourage you to take a deep breath, and know your special day will be just as amazing, no matter what.
Below, I’ll talk through a few tips on how to deal with rainy weather.
The same thing happened to Jackie + Alex, but the weather did NOT stop them from tying the knot. They had a beautiful outdoor elopement planned, but ended up getting rained out. Even though we made a lot of adjustments, they pivoted and embraced the moodiness of the rain.
1) Have a back-up plan
If you aren’t afraid of the rain, it’s a good idea to stick with the original plan and opt to bring a few cute umbrellas, rain jackets, and towels to dry off with, just in case.
Talk to your photographer (like me!) about the best plan of action. Hawai’i’s weather is largely predictable, so certain sections of the island are rainier than others. I’ll recommend the best places to plan for, and also help you know what your chances are of rain happening on your day.
If you’re headed somewhere that is known to be rainy (aka Hawai’i), definitely consider having a plan B! This could include a back-up location, bringing your wedding back to your Airbnb, or even renting a large tent. That way you can continue your wedding plans, take photos, eat dinner, and celebrate your day seamlessly, no matter what.
2) Look at the general forecast for that time of year
If you’re planning your elopement during the summer months of Hawai’i, you’re bound to have good, consistent weather. But if you’re planning to elope sometime between October and March, it’s prudent to expect rainy season! Those months come with more frequent rainy days and passing showers. It’s a good idea to look at the weather for the time of year of your elopement to plan accordingly.
3) Embrace anything + everything!
No matter how much you plan to avoid bad weather, sometimes nature just isn’t on our side. And that’s okay!!
If it starts pouring down during your ceremony, I’d suggest to smile and embrace it. In Hawai’i, rain on a wedding day is considered good luck.
A photographer’s Pro Tip: Photos taken in the rain look incredibly romantic and intimate.
And after your gorgeous ceremony, if you’re already wet from the rain, you might as well jump in the ocean for more fun photos. That’s exactly what Jackie + Alex did. Needless to say, it was epic!
