Here in Northern NSW we are normally blessed with great weather for weddings. Right now, however, there are plenty of nervous brides about as we await what could be the flood of the century. Particularly those brides who had opted for a glorious Byron bay beach wedding in blazing summer sunshine. So what can you do if the weather doesn’t match the picture you had in your head for your wedding day?
The short answer is, there is nothing you can do.
The longer answer is more helpful.
The first thing to do is to make sure you have a backup plan. See if your reception venue is happy for you to have your ceremony there. Can you bring in some temporary shelter? A small marquee may be all you need to go ahead with a beach wedding. Or just go for it regardless. Grab a pile of cheap umbrellas for your guests and have the beach wedding. It will be spectacular. A few years ago I photographed a Byron Bay beach elopement in the pouring rain. Although professional cameras are weather sealed, I had my cameras wrapped in plastic, we all got soaked and it was a fabulously memorable wedding. Another wet wedding in Ballina from a few years back required the ceremony being held in a funeral home chapel (don’t worry, it was very, very nice).
Secondly, remember what the day is all about. It’s about your wedding. It’s not about the location or the weather. It’s about the two of you as a couple. So many brides and grooms get caught up in the desire to have photos of themselves in a spectacular landscape with a brilliant sunset. The reality is, the best wedding photos are the ones that capture the story of your day, moments of intimateness and the relationship you share as a couple. If it rains on your wedding day, it’s doesn’t have to be a bold feature of your photos but it’s definitely going to be part of your wedding day story.
Lastly and probably most importantly, don’t stress about it. Have fun and enjoy the day. After all, in years to come you will have some fabulous stories to tell your grand children.
P.S. Why haven’t I posted any photos of weddings in the rain? That’s because the computer with the archive drives attached to it is turned off ready to be moved to higher ground if required.