How to prepare for a rainy elopement day and a packing list of rainy day essentials!

Rain is one of the most common concerns for any wedding day and one of the most common questions I get asked during the planning process is “what do we do if it rains”. My answer every time is to embrace it! Choosing to elope in the outdoors means choosing to take on any weather the day throws at you, I mean it is an adventure elopement after all! 

In all seriousness, rainy day elopement can be some of the most stunning wedding days. Most of the time rain deters visitors, so if your elopement day ends up being in the rain, you’ll be rewarded with crowd-less views of the amazing landscapes you’ve chosen to get married in! 

The biggest thing you can do if it rains on your wedding day is to keep a positive mindset. Being disappointed about the weather not cooperating is the last thing you want to be doing on your wedding day! Ryan and I love shooting and exploring in the rain so we will be cheering you on and hyping you up about it the entire time. It’s your wedding day, so keep a positive mindset, and take the day as it comes. No matter what happens you’ll be getting married to the love of your life, in a stunning location, and you’ll have perfect photos of it to remember the day forever.

We can’t control the weather but we can control how we respond to it. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for rain on your elopement day and a checklist for gear to pack in case it does! 

One: Prepare Ahead

Keep an eye on the forecast. I don’t mean obsessively check the weather every hour for the 2 weeks leading up to your wedding day, but use it as a guide on if you should start preparing for rain or not. It’s a good idea if you see rain projected to bring gear that you might need just in case. But also remember that the forecast is wrong 90% of the time so the weather a week out probably isn’t going to be what actually happens. 

Two: Plan Back-Ups

When eloping in the outdoors, the weather is always an unpredictable concern in the planning process. During the process keep in mind we may have to pivot original plans in case of unforeseen circumstances like weather or accidents. If you’re headed to a rocky cliff that overhangs the ocean and it starts pouring, it may not be the best idea to risk it on the slippery rocks. Having backup plans means in the event that happens, we don’t need to stress about where to go next, we already have a list of locations we can happily change to. 

It’s also very important that your photographer knows the area that you’re eloping in really well. If something like this does happen, your photographer should have an idea of what trails are safe to do in the rain and should be knowledgeable about possible locations to pivot to. 

Three: Bring Gear you’ll be Happy to Wear in Photos

While we’re exploring different locations, you’ll likely want to keep a jacket on so you stay warm. Make sure the gear that you bring with you looks good with your wedding attire and is something you’ll want to see in your wedding photos. Of course, you’ll have some photos of you without it but it’s always a good idea to bring something you actually like because I can guarantee they’ll be some candids of you wearing it. Clear umbrellas are also a lifesaver when it comes to rainy day photos, so I highly recommend buying one to two to bring along with you (don’t worry we’ll make Ryan carry them if you don’t end up using them!)

Four: Embrace It!

You’ve chosen to elope in a beautiful location outdoors, even if it rains hop out there and enjoy it! You don’t want to spend your wedding day wishing it didn’t rain, make some memories and go out there and get wet exploring.

Rainy Day Elopement Checklist:

Things to pack with you to make sure you’re prepared for your rainy day elopement!

• A good raincoat! Make sure when buying a raincoat to double-check that it is waterproof and not water-resistant. Make sure whatever jackets you buy you’ll be happy to have photos of you in your wedding attire in them! Here are a few links to some of my favorite gear:
  • Patagonia Rain Gear
  • L.L. Bean Rain Jackets
  • Columbia Rain Jacket
  • Rain Poncho
• Clear Umbrellas
  • Here is a link to one on Amazon
• Towels! It’s super nice to dry off in the car between locations!
• Makeup wipes and extras for touch-ups. If we get caught in a downpour, it’s nice to be able to wipe off any runny mascara, or better yet, if rain is predicted in the forecast, opt for waterproof instead!
• Waterproof shoes. The last thing you want is soggy feet after walking around in the rain, so pack some waterproof shoes that will keep your feet warm and dry stomping through puddles. 
• Hand warmers