Jaime and Paul-Andre’s Only One Gallery wedding in Toronto’s West Queen West is a proof that you can gracefully handle the rain on your wedding day!
Quick! Name your number one wedding fear. If you said “rain”, you’re likely the majority. But fear no more! There are ways to gracefully handle the rain on your wedding day and I’ll give you some tips using Jaime and Paul-Andre’s elegant and laid-back wedding as an example.
Jaime and Paul-Andre are one of the sweetest, coolest people I’ve met and they had one of the coziest celebrations I’ve been to. The rain was expected on the day of their wedding, so they did not hold any false expectations. As true Queen West dwellers, they originally planning to take their wedding photos on the streets of their favorite neighborhood. Followed by a family portrait session in front of the graffiti walls surrounding the Only One Gallery. However, when the weather forecast changed from sunny to stormy a couple of days before their wedding date, they booked a last-minute loft in Liberty Village using This Open Space to take their family photos. I suggested we take their creative photos around the Liberty Village area. Little did I know Jaime has already done her homework and found a cool sheltered walkway close to her family photo location. The glass rooftop allowed for lots of natural light and the red brick walkway featured charming walls with photogenic texture. Thus, we managed to take outdoorsy photos without being outdoors in the rain! It was a win-win situation.
As we wrapped up our shoot, it was time to join their guests at the gallery. When we arrived at the venue, it was already packed with Jaime and Paul-Andre’s closest family and friends. I loved the way the couple decided to start the ceremony. Instead of going the traditional route, they walked down the aisle together following the sweet flower girl who sprinkled their path with flower seeds. The ceremony was led by Jaime’s father who made it personal and heart-warming. There were lots of funny stories told and tears of joy. After exchanging vows, the two were officially hitched!
Jaime and Paul-Andre’s wedding is just one of many rainy day weddings we have shot. I know that rain could be an annoyance on your special day, but whn handled properly, I believe you can still have great wedding photos if you follow these three simple tips:
First, always have a rain backup plan.
Trust me, I’m eagerly checking the weather forecast leading up to your wedding day, too! However, no matter the forecast, it’s always good to have a Plan B in case of rain. Trust your wedding photographer to find an alternative photo location and suggest indoor places for your family photos. If you’d like to make your locations extra unique, you can always book a modern loft or a charming indoor photo studio using platforms like This Open Space or Airbnb.
Make use of the rain.
Rain could be one of the most romantic backdrops! There’s nothing more charming than a photo of the bride and groom walking hand-in-hand in rain. There’s something magical about the way a rainy sky colors the city making everything vibrant and saturated. Don’t let the little rain scare you away. Make use of it! I always suggest my couples getting a pair of stylish umbrellas to take photos with. You can amp-up your romance game by using one umbrella for two. You’ll see, these are going to end up being one of your favorite photos from the day!
Finally, look at the bright side.
In 20 to 30 years from now, the gloomy weather on your wedding day will be the very last thing you’ll remember. You’re marrying the love of your life surrounded by the people you love the most. You will remember their happy laughter, heart-warming speeches and the overwhelming feeling of happiness that filled everyone on your Big Day. In the grand scheme of things, rain will be the least memorable moment on your mind. Always remember that and don’t let the gray weather bring you down. The joy and happiness you feel on that day will fill your photos with magic, no matter what the weather is outside.
