Rainy Coastal New England Weddings – Planning Your Photography Experience

In an area known for its storied history embodying the area’s maritime charm, the most stunning wedding venues that Connecticut & Rhode Island have to offer are perched along the glittering waters of the Atlantic. Consummate New England charm allows celebrations to take place along the idyllic coastline, often at historic venues.

Along with its quintessential setting, New England weddings are also known for being rainy or experiencing unexpected downfalls. If you are planning a wedding along the coast, I am detailing a few action items below to help ensure that your photography experience is not disrupted.

Pre-Wedding Day Assessment – Mapping Your Photography Plan According to Venue

There are a number of wedding venues from CT to upstate NY that I am familiar with, including locations throughout Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. My experience at these venues allows me to suggest locations on the grounds, protected from the elements, for editorial-driven wedding photos through a storytelling perspective. 

However, in the event that your venue is new, my research of the grounds happens behind the scenes. Wedding venues allow vendors to access the space ahead of time through a walk-through. I have the ability to contact the venue directly and request a walk-through before your wedding date, and it does not require your presence.

This allows me to explore the interior of the venue along with the surrounding grounds or gardens to put a plan in place for your coastal New England wedding. Whether the forecast calls for rain, or the weather shifts and shows a sudden chance of unexpected showers, we will be prepared on your wedding day for any scenario. All in all, allowing you to enjoy your venue and the thoughtfully planned wedding day you’ve designed.

The Success of a Rainy Coastal Wedding Comes Down to Having a Plan

My approach to capturing coastal weddings throughout New England calls for a plan, no matter the circumstances. Rain, snow, sun, wind, and everything in between; the particulars are an important aspect of planning the photography experience for the couples I work with.

In the event that your wedding is happening during a season that is known for its rainy weather, there will be a plan and a backup plan in place for your photography experience. This may include slight potential shifts to your timeline, clear umbrellas, and mapped locations throughout your venue for photos that embody the beauty of the space you’ve selected.

Opt to Work With Trusted Wedding Vendors

It’s become increasingly common for coastal wedding venues throughout New England to require that couples work with a wedding planner. But that is not the case for every venue. You may be grappling with the decision to work with a planner and wondering whether or not to proceed.

A wedding planner is an industry expert who is skilled at managing a timeline and logistics. But they also manage the communication between all of the other vendors you’ve chosen for your day: venue, photographer, florist, videographer, hair & makeup team, caterer, DJ/entertainment, lighting experts, rental company, and so on. 

Tented outdoor weddings in New England require a detailed level of planning, including what to do in the event of rain. While your wedding venue may not directly require you to work with a planner, I would strongly recommend it from my perspective as a local wedding photographer.

A New England wedding planner can initiate a rain plan for your setup, including where to move your pre-planned outdoor wedding ceremony or your tented reception experience.

It’s Raining, Now What?

Rain on a wedding day can bring about feelings of frustration, especially for couples who have planned a tented outdoor experience in New England. In the event of rain, you may feel a level of disappointment or even sadness. Those feelings are valid. However, it’s still possible to enjoy your venue and a remarkable celebration surrounded by those who have gathered to honor you. 

In the event of rain, our plan will depend on a few different factors. First and foremost, your safety is of the utmost importance. It will always be a top consideration should rain occur during your coastal CT wedding. Lightning strikes and high winds are determining elements for what will happen next. 

If for any reason it is not safe to venture outside, then we will enjoy exploring the interior of your venue for a creative photography experience. Coastal venues are often historic in nature, and the interior settings rival the atmosphere of the shore. 

Safety factors aside, has the inclement rain brought on a slight drizzle, steady showers, or a heavy downpour? With your comfort level in mind, I am open to venturing outdoors and photographing your unforgettable wedding day portraits in the rain. Umbrellas will be provided, which I always have available for my couples, as we explore the dock or the shoreline together, making the most of your rainy wedding photography experience. 

In fact, according to this Reddit thread, many couples who have planned a coastal wedding in New England and experienced rain found that they enjoyed the soft cinematic feel of the rainy skies as opposed to the harsh, unforgiving rays of the sun.

Adjusting Your Timeline to Make the Most of Your Rainy Wedding

If it rains during your coastal New England wedding, then slight adjustments will be made to your photography timeline. These adjustments are not made lightly and factor in important considerations made throughout the planning process. For example, your first look, post-ceremony, and sunset portraits will all take precedence in the event that we need to adjust your timeline. We may decide to wait out the rain and move your post-wedding ceremony portraits to after your dinner service. Or, we may be able to ‘get ahead’ of the rain and add a first look to your wedding photography timeline, followed by portraits. 

Try Not to Allow the Shift in Weather to Deter Your Wedding Day

I realize this is easier said than done. You’ve planned your wedding day with so much intention: the selection of the venue, florals, guest list, attire, and all of the other elements that evoke the sentiment of your lives together and the life that you are choosing to shape going forward. If and when the rain falls, feeling disheartened is only natural and completely understandable.

However, it’s what we do with those feelings that will determine the experience that unfolds for the remainder of the day. Once you’ve given yourself the space to process those feelings of disappointment, we can open up the conversation on how to proceed for your rainy wedding. From there, cherished memories will begin to unravel, and lasting images, enveloping the atmosphere of your venue, will be captured with meaning.

Rainy Coastal Wedding Photography in CT, NY, and New England

As a locally-based CT wedding photographer, a considerable number of the couples I work with often select coastal wedding venues for an enjoyable atmosphere of classic New England charm. Through my approach and experience, I ensure that a rainy wedding does not deter carefully crafted plans and that wedding photos are enjoyed and savored throughout every part of the day, come rain or shine. You can find more details on the photo packages and experience I offer for weddings along the coast of New England when you follow this link.