20+ Rainy Wedding Photos for Your Inspiration
Rain may not be the ideal weather for a wedding or engagement photo shoot, but the right photographer can turn it into an enchanting and unforgettable atmosphere. Rain can add a romantic, organic, whimsical element to photos, making them memorable and unique. It can also provide creative and storytelling opportunities for the artists you hired for your wedding. So if there’s rain in the forecast for your wedding or engagement photoshoot, don’t worry or panic! In this article, we will showcase 20+ stunning rainy wedding photos, with some engagement photos mixed in, for your inspiration.
The images provided are from our group of the best wedding photographers on Wedding Maps.
Editor’s Choice for Rainy Wedding Photos
Let’s start with the editor’s selections for the Rainy Wedding Photography Challenge.
Photo by Andreas Pollok (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Schloss Neuhaus Baden in Württemberg Germany
Photo by Jason Vinson (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Backyard Wedding in Bentonville, Arkansas
Photo by Larsen Photo Co (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Gunnison National Forest, Crested Butte, CO
Photo by Jeroen Savelkouls (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Hervormde Kerk in Groesbeek, Netherlands
Photo by Stephane Lemaire (Website | Wedding Maps Profile)
Storytelling in the Rain
These couples and their photographers didn’t let rain get in the way of creating beautiful, in-the-moment, wedding stories in the rain. From emotional first look moments to unforgettable ceremonies, see these examples of storytelling in the rain.
Photo by JCM Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Country Club of Asheville, NC
Photo by Jeroen Savelkouls (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Hervormde Kerk in Groesbeek, Netherlands
Photo by Kristin Cheatwood (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Bald Mountain in Sun Valley, Idaho USA
Natural Light – Couples in the Rain
When it comes to couples photo sessions, whether on your wedding day or during an engagement photoshoot, get out there and play. Instead of letting it ruin the shoot, take advantage of the mood and vibe that rain creates and interact with it for natural, organic photos. See some examples of natural light photography in the rain below.
Photo by Roddy Chung (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Beacon Hill in Boston, MA
Photo by 4 Eyes Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada
Photo by Larsen Photo Co (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Gunnison National Forest, Crested Butte, CO
Photo by David Conaty (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Glencoe, Scotland UK
Off Camera Flash Backlight with Rain!
A backlight can add a beautiful and ethereal quality to rain during your couple’s photoshoot. For these types of photos, the photographer will position you in front of the light source, illuminating the raindrops and creating a stunning and dreamy effect.
Backlight with Long Exposures
Creative photographers may choose to capture your rain photos with a long exposure, which will show the rain coming down in streaks rather than small drops. See these examples below.
Photo by Jason Vinson (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Backyard Wedding in Bentonville, Arkansas
Photo by Shirleen Burnett (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Lake Louise, AB Canada
Backlight with Creative Gels
Creative Photographers may also choose to capture your rain photos with colored gels, which add color to the rain drops. See a few of these examples.
Photo by SMJ Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Knights of Columbus in Washington, MO USA
Photo by Jindrich Nejedly (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) a Forest in the South Bohemia Region of the Czech Republic
Backlight with Reflective Foreground
Photographers may also choose to stack multiple compositional frameworks to create something unique. For example this photographer used a backlight in conjunction with a reflective foreground element to create an interesting and unique composition.
Photo by Andreas Pollok (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Schloss Neuhaus Baden in Württemberg Germany
Rainy Wedding Photos with Backlight and Leading lines
These photographers used the rain as part of their compositions and combined it with interesting leading lines to create an impactful image.
Photo by Stephane Lemaire (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Spencer Theater in Ruidoso, New Mexico
Photo by Jay Cassario (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, PA
Rainy Wedding Photos with a Backlight with a Silhouette
The backlight can also highlight your silhouette and create a halo effect around you. This technique can add depth and dimension to the photo, creating an artistic, moody image. The contrast between the dark silhouette and the bright, illuminated raindrops can create a visually stunning image that captures the romance and beauty of the moment.
Photo by Zack Bradley (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Lake Keowee in Seneca, South Carolina
Other Backlit Rain Photos
For your inspiration, here are other backlit rain photos from incredible photographers from around the world.
Photo by Christopher S Studio (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Rockleigh Country Club Rockleigh, New Jersey USA
Photo by Mauricio Urena (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa La Fortuna, Ciudad in Quesada, Costa Rica
Photo by Andreas Pollok (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Alte Gärtnerei in München, Germany
Photo by Courtland Photography (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Eagle Ridge by Wedgewood Weddings in Gilroy, California
Photo by Creando Fotos (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) in Austin, Texas
Photo by Party of Two (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Hidden Hill Venue Morganton, NC USA
Photo by Lets Make a Memory (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Jeffrey Open Space Trail Irvine, CA
Photo by Kivus and Camera (Website | Wedding Maps Profile) at Downtown Durham, North Carolina
Conclusion
Capturing stunning rain wedding and engagement photography photos requires preparedness, a keen eye for natural lighting and reflections, creative use of flash and the ability to capture the unique atmosphere created by the rain. By following these tips and getting creative, you can get distinct and unforgettable wedding and engagement photos that will be cherished for years to come.
