Inspiration for a Rainy Day Elopement

You can’t go wrong with a Rainy Day Elopement! Honestly, I don’t blame you for preferring the moody vibes over all else!

If Twilight and dancing in puddles are some of your favorite things, and you want to incorporate those vibes into your wedding day, then keep reading!

SEVEN TIPS FOR A MEMORABLE RAINY DAY ELOPEMENT

As an elopement photographer based in Shenandoah National Park, I am no stranger to rainy days. At first, they stressed me out. However, as I became more familiar with the magic they produce, I have learned to love them more than anything.

When my couples hear that rain is present on the forecast, I always do my best to calm anxious thoughts. Did you know that rain on your elopement day is actually a sign of good luck?! The most important thing is to be prepared and focus on celebrating your love.

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ONE | YOU MIGHT NEED TO SWITCH UP
YOUR LOCATION

If you are planning on having your elopement on the peak with a mountain view, you may need to change things up! Having your wedding in the woods, or among enough rocks, will allow the fog to break. Not only that, but it will give you a romantic backdrop.

TWO | BRING PROPS TO ADD TO
THE AMBIANCE

Props, for any wedding, are always a good idea. Bringing them to add to the ambiance of a rainy day elopement can make moments so special. My favorite a lanterns. The way they match the mood of the weather makes for incredible photos.

THREE | EMBRACE THE WEATHER
THE BEST YOU CAN

No matter how hard you try, you cannot change the weather. Trust me, I have tried plenty of times. Do you know what you can change though? Your thoughts and feelings. Mindsets are hard to alter, but if you can manage to focus on your love, the rain and fog won’t be so bad.

FOUR | DITCH THE HEELS

I promise that there is nothing worse than experiencing your Rainy Day Elopement in heels or other shoes that aren’t meant for mud and water. If you are having your wedding in the forest, you may want to consider hiking boots!

FIVE | BRING UMBRELLAS

I know this one seems pretty obvious, but you would be surprised by how many people don’t even own an umbrella! I recommend going with clear ones. Not only do they look cool, but they are completely functional too! I like to believe that whoever created them made them purposely with Rainy Day Elopements in mind.

SIX | KNOW THAT YOUR ELOPEMENT ATTIRE
WILL GET DIRTY

Be prepared for your dress to pick up some extra “adventure.” Even on a dry day, your wedding dress will probably pick up an “elopement ombre.” However, it will happen 10-fold on a rainy day! If that doesn’t sit well with you, just think of it as proof that you really did go on an adventure on your wedding day.

SEVEN | KEEP A BACKUP LOCATION IN MIND

Having a backup location such as an Airbnb or a coffee shop can be a gamechanger if you don’t want to be in the rain the entire time.

Do you need a photographer to capture your Rainy Day Elopement? Let’s chat! I would love nothing more than to help you remember your day forever.

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See more Rainy Day Elopements
& Photo Shoots!

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Rainy October Elopement in North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Feeling a little un-inspired by how many times plans are changing for you? Karen and Jake went through a few plans and backup plans, and still wound up with torrential downpour on their wedding day, which led to the Blue Ridge Parkway being shut down while we were there!

First they were planning a large wedding in North Carolina for 2021, but as we got closer they decided they wanted to just elope instead. So after picking their ceremony spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway with a beautiful mountain and sunset view, we got the news of the storm on its way. So, instead of doing a long hike in the rain to look at a thick view of fog, we decided to just stick to the forest ——

helpful tip : if it’s foggy during your photo shoot, elopement, or wedding, it’s best to find a spot that has a “close” backdrop! So that could be large rocks, a forest, a close waterfall, etc. That way the trees or rocks stand out and break up the fog so you aren’t just in a thick cloud of nothing.

— — Their videographers were also fine and well prepared for the rain! Being in the forest helped keep some of the rain off of us and gave Karen and Jake a break during their ceremony. Then they set up their little speaker under an umbrella and had their first dance.

As we drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway, we were in and out of the fog, finding fun places to stop for photos and adventuring. At one point we passed a Blue Ridge Parkway ranger who stopped and told us they had closed the gates to the parkway, so when we left we’d have to open and shut to lock the gate back up! It was actually so nice to have the privacy and we were able to walk along the Parkway without cars passing.

Their elopement day included :

• getting ready together in their cabin they rented

• writing their vows together in beautiful little keepsake books

• taking photos of each other with their own Instax throughout the day

• a short hike in the woods to their ceremony along the Blue Ridge Parkway

• a ceremony in the rain with clear umbrellas

• a first dance in the rain with a little bluetooth speaker

• a picnic of cake and Dom Perignon with a sneak view of the mountains

• one final stop at a waterfall before the sun completely set on us.

Jessica & Michael | Couple Bicycle Photo Shoot on Skyline Drive | Autumn Photo Shoot in Shenandoah National Park