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Nobody dreams of rain on their wedding day (at least we’ve never met anyone who did). For most couples, their wedding day is the ONE DAY that they really want Mother Nature to be on their side and stay dry. Whilst there are many aspects of the wedding day that you can control, the weather isn’t one of them.
So what if it rains on your once-in-a-lifetime day? Does that mean it’s ruined? We don’t believe it does – and many folks agree with us! Rain might be inconvenient, but often it actually adds something extra special to your day. Moody skies, snuggling under umbrellas, and stories you’ll tell for the rest of your lives.
why we love rainy-day elopements
We LOVE seeing real weddings and elopements sent to us where there was rain on the day. These images always have such a different look and feel to them. They often feel more raw, romantic, and natural. Not to mention the fact that those moody, overcast skies are also perfect for flattering lighting and atmospheric photos. That, combined with the contrasting shots of couples warming up and getting cosy indoors, we think it’s pure perfection!
Tips to Make Your Rainy Elopement Perfect
If you’re planning an elopement in a European destination where there’s a chance of rain, we recommend considering these tips to help you be prepared to enjoy even the rainiest wedding day:
1. Choose A Location that works in all weather
Choose a location that has options for photos, even if it rains. Locations with natural shelters like quaint chapels, covered patios, or forests. Many castles and vineyards offer beautiful indoor spaces that still feel intimate and historic. In cities, cozy cafes or covered shopping arcades can offer great locations as well.
2. Pack Rain Gear You’re Happy to be photographed in
Don’t shy away from an umbrella (white or clear ones work best for your photos), a clear raincoat, or even clear ponchos can be worn over your wedding clothes. You can even consider wellies that match your outfit if you’re going to be somewhere you know might get muddy. These can add personality and charm to your photos while keeping you dry and comfortable.
3. Embrace the Elements in Your Photos
If you can’t avoid the rain, embrace it! Work with your photographer to capture candid moments of you dancing in the rain, sharing an umbrella, or cosying up under a blanket. Wet hair, glowing skin, and misty backgrounds create unforgettable images.
4. Have a Backup Plan
While embracing rain is fun, it’s also smart to have an alternative indoor plan just in case the weather becomes too intense. Flexibility and a calm mindset will keep your day joyful, whatever the skies do. When booking your accommodation, think about whether it would work for photos, should you need to spend more time there than you were expecting.
If you’re planning a small ceremony with friends and family, having a sheltered or indoor backup is really important, especially if you have older or young guests.
5. Plan Warm-Up Breaks
Plan in time throughout the day to warm up and dry off as much as you can. Whether that’s taking shelter somewhere outside for a little picnic, or heading somewhere cosy inside. You might find that instead of going for one continuous adventure, you’ll be better off breaking things up into smaller adventures and having lots of breaks in between.
Advice from our amazing vendors across Europe on how to prepare for rain on your wedding day
Norway
We asked Norwegian photographer Nina Reed for tips on how to best prepare for a wet day in Norway.
“If you want to elope in Norway, you should start getting used to the idea that it could rain on your wedding day, no matter what time of year you’re getting married. While fall is traditionally the rainiest season and October the rainiest month, it often rains in summer too, and while our winters are usually cold enough to get snow, it can still rain in the middle of winter.
To prepare for the chance of rain, make sure you have rain jackets ready, and ideally ones that are cute enough that you’re okay with being photographed in them. If it’s raining all day long, you won’t want to stop to take your jacket off for every photo. We have a traditional Norwegian saying: “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear” — and that rings true for elopements too! If you’re dressed appropriately, you can have a good time no matter what the weather is doing. (Maybe go shopping for rain jackets after arriving in Norway? The selection is great even in smaller sporting goods stores, and you’ll have a souvenir to remember the trip by.)
On rainy days, it’s important to be flexible and ready to change plans based on the weather. The forecast might show rain all day, but by paying attention to the radar we can see when a break is coming and take full advantage of that time for portraits. And if the rain stops enough for the sun to break through, get outside — that’s when we can get lucky enough to catch a rainbow!”
Scotland
Lynne Kennedy, an elopement photographer for the Isle of Skye in Scotland, had these words of wisdom to share:
“Scotland is one of the most beautiful and romantic places on earth to elope, but it is also one of the wettest, so if you choose to elope in this most northerly part of the UK, you’ve got to be prepared for the fact that you might encounter some precipitation. It could be a short, light shower, or it could be hours of heavy rain – there is no rhyme or reason to it, and it doesn’t seem to be seasonal either. We get beautiful, dry high-pressure days in winter and storms in summer – go figure!
My top tips, as an elopement photographer with 18 years of experience, are to be flexible, be ready for anything, and don’t plan your elopement for summer, thinking that’s when there will be less rain! The spring and autumn are often less wet and less busy in actual fact.
If you are eloping, the chances are that your celebrant and photographer will be aware of the weather challenges in their area and, in most cases, will be flexible to moving the ceremony slightly to an earlier or later time of the day, in order to try and get the best weather window. It may not always be possible, but it’s something to think about discussing with your celebrant and photographer when you book them.
A lot of couples ask if they should bring an umbrella to their Scottish elopement; however, unfortunately, umbrellas are not always that useful because if there is any wind, then the umbrella tends to just blow inside out.
A tip for brides too, is to bring some thermal stockings or tights, just in case the weather isn’t the best – any level of protection is better than none, and if the rain is heavy and your dress gets wet, those tights might help keep the water off your skin a little bit, which in turn will stop you getting so cold.
Waterproof jackets are worth thinking about, for when you are walking to your ceremony spot and between locations for portraits. It might seem like an extra hassle, but you could be glad you did. If you’re worried about them taking up room in your luggage, wear them to the airport and stick them in the overhead locker!
Lastly, if it does pour on your wedding day, embrace it as much as you can and try not to let it ruin what is an important and beautiful moment in your lives. Keep focusing on each other and the incredible landscape you are spending time in. Some of your favourite photos might actually be in some of the worst weather!”
Swiss Alps
Local Swiss photographer Kathryn Coppola also shares great advice with us:
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned photographing elopements in Switzerland, it’s that the weather here has a personality all its own. The Alps create their own microclimates — it might be bright sunshine in Zermatt, gentle fog in Lauterbrunnen, and a downpour in Grindelwald, all at the same time. But that very weather is what can make a Swiss elopement so beautiful: the mist catches the light in the valleys, the rain deepens the green of the meadows, and the clouds wrap around the peaks like something out of an actual dream.
That said, being ready for anything is really important. The MeteoSwiss app and Bergfex are your best friends for local forecasts — they’re far more accurate in the Alps than international apps, or the weather app on your iPhone. I also always recommend couples keep an eye on the “Radar” and “Precipitation” maps rather than just temperature icons, since mountain rain tends to come and go in waves.
Another great local resource is Switzerland’s network of live webcams. You can find them for nearly every major region — Zermatt, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Saas-Fee, Bettmeralp, Gornergrat, and more. These webcams refresh every few minutes and are absolutely priceless when deciding whether to head up the mountain or wait for a clearer window. For example, you might see fog at the valley station but bright sun at the summit! I often check several webcams the morning of an elopement to choose the best possible conditions in real time.
When it comes to packing, here’s what I always tell my couples:
• Waterproof hiking boots are essential — mountain trails can get muddy fast, even after light rain, and hiking boots are just generally safer, even in sunny weather. It’s especially important to have these if you plan on hiking – you can always change shoes when it’s time for photos!
• Quick-dry layers and thermals keep you warm if the weather turns cold (especially from September to May).
• Clear umbrellas look timeless in photos and still let the mountain backdrop shine through – I always bring these for my couples if there’s rain in the forecast!
• A small microfibre towel — perfect for drying hands, bouquet stems, or raindrops off your partner’s face before photos.
• A light down jacket or rain shell in neutral tones blends beautifully with the natural landscape and photographs well.
• A hot thermos of tea or coffee, because nothing beats a warm sip when you’re surrounded by misty peaks!
If you’re eloping at high altitude — like the Aletsch Glacier, Grindelwald First, or Gornergrat — visibility can change dramatically. That’s why I always plan multiple backup locations at lower altitudes, where the weather tends to be milder and more stable. For example, if the clouds close in over a glacier, we might head down to nearby lakes or meadows for a quieter, more sheltered moment.
For brides and grooms, I always suggest hairstyles that embrace movement and weather — soft waves, braids, or buns that look intentional even if they get a little wind-swept. For makeup, keep it waterproof and minimal, especially around the eyes. If you’re wearing a dress, lightweight fabrics like chiffon and tulle move beautifully in the rain and dry quickly.
Avoid heavy lace or satin, which tends to absorb water. Also, if your dress has a long train, consider bringing a short dress or an overskirt for hiking portions — or simply embrace the mud and call it part of the adventure (because truly, it is!).
Lastly, my best advice is to stay flexible and let the mountains lead the way. The weather may shift, but it’s never without beauty — I’ve seen couples exchange vows under gentle alpine rain, and it was absolutely magical.”
The Netherlands
Anouschka Rokebrand photographed many weddings in the Netherlands and shares her insights with us:
“Watching the weather apps like a hawk for wedding days is part of the preparations in the Netherlands. You never know what Mother Nature will have in store for your day! It can rain no matter the season.
I always tell brides that their dress will get dirty, no matter how hard they try to keep it clean. Especially if it is a rainy day. Don’t stress too much about it! I always advise getting a few white or clear umbrellas (colored ones can give hideous color casts on your skin) to have on hand, just in case. Have a rain jacket and rain boots with you if you still want to head out into nature.
Cloudy skies actually give beautiful diffused light, and if it’s been rainy during the day but clears up around sunset, you are usually treated to a stunning sky that is worth some extra photos!
Be sure to have a plan B. If it’s really too gnarly out there, have a backup plan that is indoors. Whether that is at your venue, at a beautiful castle, a cozy cafe, or even a garden centre, sometimes has options to do wedding photos inside. Even covered areas outdoors (like archways) will work well for photos and still give you beautiful, natural light.
The Alps & Dolomites
Our editor-in-chief and founder, Cat from Wild Connetions Photography, also has a lot of advice about dealing with rain when you’re eloping in the mountains, since she is also a hiking guide in the Austrian Alps and the Dolomites.
“When you’re eloping in the mountains, the rain doesn’t just impact what you wear. There’s also a safety (and comfort) aspect to it. There’s a difference between light showers and heavy downpours. While one is a bit of an inconvenience, the other can become a safety issue. As a hiking guide as well as an elopement photographer, I look at bad weather through multiple “lenses”, so to speak. I think photos in the rain are super romantic, BUT I won’t put my couples in situations that I believe will be uncomfortable, or worse, unsafe for them.
Safety is the most important aspect, and the biggest factor in whether it’s possible to stick with the original plan, or whether things need to pivot. There are a few risks with being in the mountains when it is raining. Heavy rain causing rockfall and landslides is getting more common, so keeping away from any kind of terrain where this could be a possibility is important. Also, depending on the type of trails you’re hiking on, they may become extra slippery or muddy (or even snowy if you’re high up). So waterproof boots with good tread are vital.
Then there’s the factor of warmth to consider. Hiking in the rain can be uncomfortable, but if you’re dressed in suitable hiking gear, it’s not inherently risky. But wedding attire is not that! Any materials that absorb water will get wet, cold, and heavy. This might not be such a problem if it’s right at the end of your day, but you don’t want to spend a day being soaking wet and cold. It’s also really important to remember that if you are in the mountains and at higher elevations, the wind-chill factor can also make you cool down really fast. If you are hiking for a lot of the day, and rain is forecast throughout, I usually recommend hiking in normal hiking gear and changing in and out of wedding clothes for photos at a few key locations.
Working with a local, knowledgeable photographer is the best option. They should be able to help come up with alternative locations, or simply switch around the timeline to help you still have an unforgettable day.”
Final Thoughts
Rainy weather forecast on your wedding day is not bad news; it’s an opportunity to create a uniquely beautiful elopement day filled with emotion, atmosphere, and adventure. So if your European elopement forecast calls for a little rain, get ready to fall in love, all over again, with the magic of a rainy-day romance!
And after all, if we didn’t have rain, we wouldn’t have rainbows!
Photo by Lynne Kennedy 
Photo by Wild Connections Photography
Still not convinced? Check out these stunning weddings and elopements in the rain:
