Weatherproof Your Wedding: Plan for Weather with Confidence.

Why a rainy day plan is so important, and when it needs to be included in plans.

You spend a year planning, reviewing, and meticulously going over every detail until it’s perfect. The venue is decked out. Your planner is handling everything, so all you have to focus on is your dress, your girls, and—the angry storm clouds brewing overhead.

While no one wants to think about rain on one of the most important days of their lives, it’s an essential factor to consider—and it impacts far more than you might realize. From your venue choice to dress style to wedding date, your rainy-day plan can affect every detail of your wedding.

But here’s the good news: with a little preparation and the right team, you can make the weather work for you instead of against you. So where do you even start?

Step One: Start with the professionals.

Start with your wedding planner. They’ve likely seen it all—and they’ll know which months, venues, and locations are more forgiving when the weather turns. (If you were to ask us, we’d say October is your best bet for clear skies here in the Upstate!)

Next, talk to your photographer. They can offer valuable insight into lighting, backup photo locations, and how rain might affect your timeline or portraits—especially if they’ve shot at your venue before.

Wedding photographer Jenni Lauren emphasizes that having a solid rain plan is about more than just keeping guests dry:

“It’s about protecting the flow of the day. Great photos don’t just happen—without a suitable backup location, couples can find themselves struggling with poor lighting, limited space for portraits, or tight timelines if the weather shifts suddenly. Having a backup plan is vital to ensuring your day runs smoothly,” she explains.

Photographer Christine Gow also notes that rain and bad weather can become safety concerns for the couple and for guests.

“I’m not just talking about ruining your clothes and shoes by getting wet or muddy, I’m also talking about whether it’s even safe to be at your location”.

Step Two: Review Your Venue’s Rain Plan

Venues that offer outdoor ceremony or reception spaces should also have a clear indoor or covered backup plan. If they don’t, that could be a concern, especially if you are planning on an outdoor ceremony or reception.

Keep in mind that most venues require you to make a final decision on whether to move indoors by a specific time (often several hours before your ceremony). Make sure you understand those guidelines before signing a contract.

Step Three: Make Everything Else Rain-Ready

Once you’ve covered the big pieces, take time to prep the smaller details:

If your dress has a long train, make sure it can be bustled. If the ceremony area is uncovered, invest in some clear umbrellas. Bring backup shoes. Ask your other vendors what their rainy-day plans involve, and take that into account when making decisions about who to hire.

While no one can completely prevent rain, you can ensure that you’re ready for anything. With the right preparation, your day will be every bit as magical, rain or shine.

Special thanks to Jenni Lauren Photography and Christine Gow Photography for sharing their expertise for this article. Their creative eye and experience help couples navigate any forecast with confidence.

If you’re searching for talented Upstate South Carolina photographers who can make any wedding or elopement day shine—rain or not—be sure to explore their work!