You plan your wedding day for months and months down to every last tiny detail. From the invitations, color palette, venue and reception decor, hair, makeup, everything is in your control. But unfortunately, the one thing you can’t control on your wedding day is the weather.

I know that the number one fear my brides have when it comes to their wedding day is that it’ll rain. But I’m here to tell you that if it rains on your wedding day, everything is going to be ok! And honestly, after my fair share of photographing rainy wedding days, I truly believe they are just as beautiful as weddings where there’s no rain! (And I also think that there’s nothing like a good rainy B&W photo!) Keep reading for my top 5 tips for rainy wedding days!

Tip #1: The number one thing to do if rain is in the forecast on your wedding day is to not panic! I know, I know, easy for me to say! But as long as you and your photographer have a solid rain plan in place, I promise you, you’ll still be able to get the wedding photos you’ve dreamed of! When I’m making plans with my brides and grooms, we always talk about a backup plan for portraits in case of rain. Some venues have great options for rain, and some take a little more research to find a spot that will work. I always tell my couples that as long as I have a covered area, like a porch or overhang, we’ll be totally fine!

Tip #2: Have clear umbrellas on hand! On rainy wedding days, clear bubble umbrellas are a godsend! These cute umbrellas make for amazing portraits while keeping you and your husband dry! If you have enough unbrellas, they also work really well for bridal party shots! (If you’re an #allisonewingbride, then you know that during wedding season, I keep no less than 10 clear bubble umbrellas in my Jeep at all times. So if you’re one of my brides- you won’t have to worry about buying any!)

Tip #3: Talk to your venue and have a solid back up plan in case you have an outdoor ceremony and/or reception planned. Obviously the hope is that you won’t have to utilize your backup plan when your day gets here- but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Tip #4: Accessorize accordingly! If there’s a solid chance of rain on your wedding day, it’s time to make a few changes to your wardrobe! Hunter boots (or any rain boot!) are a great option for keeping your feet dry and allowing you to walk through grass and puddles without ruining your wedding shoes! Even if the ground is still wet from rain a few days prior, it’s always a good idea to have a pair of backup shoes that you won’t mind getting a little muddy! And speaking of mud- if there is rain on your wedding day, embrace the fact that the bottom of your dress may get a little dirty. But you know what? I promise you, a little dirt will hardly be noticeable (if at all!) and having beautiful, natural light portraits will be worth it!

Tip #5: Have fun and be flexible! I mean it: embrace the rain and roll with it. Play in the puddles. Kiss under the umbrellas. Also, know that your timeline may change a bit depending on when the rain is predicted. But if you have buffer time built into your timeline, you can run outside and capitalize on the periods of no rain with no issues!

Whether it rains or not on your wedding, at the end of the day, you’re still married to your best friend- and that’s all the matters! Enjoy some of my favorite photos from my past rainy wedding days!