The Pennsylvania WEDDING Guide to Rain Plans: Beautiful Photos for Every Forecast
Rain on your wedding day isn’t the disaster you might think it is.
After 15 years photographing weddings across the Lehigh Valley, the Poconos, and beyond, we’ve learned something most couples don’t discover until their big day: overcast skies and soft rainfall create some of the most romantic, cinematic images we’ve ever captured. The diffused light eliminates harsh shadows. The moody atmosphere adds depth and emotion. And the way a veil moves in rain-touched wind? Pure magic.
If you’re a Pennsylvania bride or groom watching the weather forecast with growing anxiety, take a breath. We’re going to walk you through exactly how to prepare for rain, why it might actually gift you stunning photographs, and what our family team does behind the scenes to ensure you feel calm, confident, and completely taken care of, no matter what the sky decides to do.
Why Rain Creates Breathtaking Wedding Photography
Let’s address the elephant in the room: rain changes everything about your day, but not in the ways you fear.
Overcast conditions deliver the kind of soft, even lighting that photographers dream about. There are no squinting guests, no blown-out highlights on your dress, and no raccoon-eye shadows under your cheekbones. Instead, the clouds act as a massive natural softbox, wrapping you and your partner in flattering, romantic light that makes skin tones glow and colors pop.
We saw this firsthand at Rachel and Andrew’s wedding. The forecast promised rain, and it delivered, but those images are some of our most requested by engaged couples touring our portfolio. The dramatic skies added a cinematic quality to their portraits. The raindrops on Rachel’s veil caught the light like tiny diamonds. And when we stepped outside for just a few minutes between downpours, the saturated greens and deep grays in the background made their joy feel even more vibrant by contrast.
Rain also offers textures and visual interest you simply cannot replicate on a sunny day. Puddles become mirrors. Umbrellas create intimate, cozy frames around a couple. And if you’re lucky enough to catch a rainbow? That’s the kind of once-in-a-lifetime shot that stops people mid-scroll on Instagram.
Pre-Wedding Planning: Communicate Early and Often
The most important rain plan starts weeks before your wedding day.
When you book your Pennsylvania wedding photographer, ask to see their portfolio of images captured in inclement weather. A seasoned professional will have a collection of rainy-day weddings that prove their ability to adapt and thrive when conditions shift. If they hesitate or only show you sunny-day work, that’s a red flag.
Once you’ve confirmed your photographer’s experience, keep the conversation going as your date approaches. Share your comfort level with outdoor shooting in light rain. Discuss whether you’d prefer to embrace the weather or minimize time outside. This dialogue allows your photographer to prepare backup plans, scout alternate portrait locations, and bring the right equipment to keep you dry, warm, and looking flawless.
Venue selection matters, too. Book a location that offers both indoor and covered outdoor spaces, a pavilion, a wraparound porch, an architectural archway. These sheltered spots give you the best of both worlds: protection from heavy downpours and access to natural light and scenic backdrops. Many of our favorite Lehigh Valley venues, from historic estates to modern barns, provide exactly this flexibility.
Essential Rain-Day Equipment and Props
Preparation is everything when rain threatens your timeline.
Invest in clear umbrellas for your entire wedding party. They protect your hair and makeup, yes, but they also create stunning visual moments. A bride and groom sharing an umbrella, faces lit from above by soft gray skies, their expressions tender and unguarded, it’s the kind of image that becomes an heirloom
Pack these additional essentials:
- Towels for drying off between portrait sessions
- A clear shower curtain or garment bag to protect your train from mud and moisture
- Backup hairstyle plans (an elegant updo often withstands humidity better than loose waves)
- A cozy shawl or wrap for warmth during outdoor moments
- Comfortable shoes you can swap into for walking on wet grass or pavement
Our family team arrives to every wedding with our own rain kit: extra umbrellas, microfiber cloths for lenses, protective covers for our gear, and a calm presence that reassures couples when anxiety starts to build. We’ve done this hundreds of times. We know exactly how to pivot, and we’ll guide you through every step.
Day-Of Strategies: Embrace the Weather (Even Just a Little)
On the morning of your wedding, check the radar together with your photographer.
Identify windows of lighter rain or brief breaks in the storm. These are your golden opportunities for outdoor portraits. Even five minutes outside can yield a dozen breathtaking images, especially if you trust your photographer to work quickly and efficiently.
Start your portrait session in the most sheltered locations. Stay warm, stay dry, and ease into the experience. As you relax and your comfort grows, you might find yourself willing to step into lighter rain for a few iconic shots. The key is pacing: protect your energy and your look early, then take calculated risks as the day unfolds.
One of our favorite techniques? Shooting from covered vantage points that frame the rain in the background. A couple standing under a portico, backlit by stormy skies, creates moody drama without requiring anyone to get soaked. We also love using reflections, puddles on brick walkways, rain-slicked pavement, to add layers and depth to your images.
And here’s a truth we’ve learned over 15 years: the couples who embrace the rain, who laugh when their hem gets wet and kiss in the drizzle, always walk away with the most joyful, authentic photographs. Rain becomes part of their love story, not an obstacle to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if it rains during our ceremony?
Most Pennsylvania wedding venues offer indoor ceremony backup options. Coordinate with your venue coordinator and photographer in advance to identify the best alternate space. If you’re set on an outdoor ceremony, consider renting a clear-top tent that provides weather protection without sacrificing the open-air feel.
Should we schedule a “rain date” for portraits?
We don’t typically recommend this for Pennsylvania weddings. The weather in the Lehigh Valley and Poconos is unpredictable year-round, and a rain date doesn’t guarantee better conditions. Instead, trust your photographer to capture stunning images on your actual wedding day, rain or shine.
How much time should we budget for portraits if it rains?
Plan for the same amount of time you’d allocate on a sunny day, usually 60 to 90 minutes for couple and wedding party portraits. Your photographer will adjust the locations and pacing, but the time commitment remains consistent.
Will rain damage our photographer’s equipment?
Professional wedding photographers invest in weather-sealed cameras and lenses designed to withstand moisture. At Birds Of A Feather Photography, we also carry protective covers and backup gear to every wedding, so equipment failure is never a concern.
Can we still get outdoor photos if it’s pouring rain?
Absolutely. We’ll work with you to find brief windows of lighter rain, or we’ll create dramatic images from covered locations that frame the storm as a backdrop. Heavy rain doesn’t mean you’re stuck indoors all day, it just means we get creative.
The Birds Of A Feather Perspective
Weather anxiety is one of the most common concerns we hear from engaged couples across the Lehigh Valley, the Poconos, North Jersey, Bucks County, and Philadelphia.
Here’s what we want you to know: our family-led team has been navigating unpredictable Pennsylvania weather for 15 years. We’ve photographed weddings in torrential downpours, surprise snowstorms, and everything in between. And every single time, we’ve delivered images our couples cherish for a lifetime.
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We also believe rain can be a gift. The images we’ve captured on overcast, rainy days are among the most romantic and artistic in our portfolio. They’re the ones that make viewers pause, that evoke emotion, that feel timeless and cinematic. When you look back at your wedding album decades from now, you won’t remember feeling stressed about the weather, you’ll remember feeling loved, celebrated, and beautifully documented.
If you are newly engaged in the Lehigh Valley and are looking for vendors that you can trust, we would be honored to work with you! Our family team can only take on a limited number of weddings each year and we would love for yours to be one of them. Please reach out to me, Tassia, at Hello@birdsofafeatherphotography.com or visit our website at www.birdsofafeatherphotography.com.
