Rainy Backyard Wedding in Anmore, BC | Chilliwack Wedding Photographer
Never once did they let the rain damper their spirits, they are so in love and there was no way a little bit, ok it was a LOT, of rain was going to get in the way of them having the most magical backyard wedding.
When you live in the Pacific Northwest aka the Fraser Valley and the weather forecast predicts not just rain but an atmospheric river on your wedding day you learn to laugh, and to keep smiling no matter how wet you are. Often as a wedding photographer we know that the weather can change at a moments notice and Brianna and Ante’s February wedding day was no different. Overnight the 1-3mm mm of rain switched to 25-30 mm of rain and I knew it was going to be a wet one.
I think my favorite part of their wedding day was that never once did they let the rain damper their spirits, they are so in love and there was no way a little bit, ok it was a LOT, of rain was going to get in the way of them having the most magical backyard wedding.
If your wedding day is calling for rain here in the Pacific Northwest here are a few tips I recommend as a photographer that has had my fair share of rainy weddings… did I mention my first 5 weddings this past year were all in the torrential rain!
surviving your rainy day wedding forecast
Tip number 1
Make sure your wedding venue has a back up rain plan! Weather is unpredictable, especially here in the Fraser Valley. The best way to handle the unpredictability is to ensure you know what your venue’s back up plan is so there is no surprises. If you do not have a back up plan, such as a clear or white tent that your ceremony can be moved to, ensure you have enough umbrella’s to go around in the chance that the skies open up right as your ceremony starts.
tip number 2
Clear Umbrella’s are your new bestfriend! I personally own a fleet of 15 that live in my car all year round much to my families eye rolling. Clear umbrellas are the best option as they look cohesive and still let in a lot of natural light to allow for the best lighting during portraits. It also doesn’t ruin your carefully planned out colour palate of your wedding day. Local dollar stores carry them for around $8 each but even better just stalk Facebook Market Place- there is always at least a handful of brides offloading the fleet they purchased for their wedding day!
tip number 3
Make sure to have things on hand to keep everyone warm and dry. Things such as extra blankets for your guests to stay warm are such a nice added touch. Other things to think about are towels- especially important to wipe off the chairs if it starts to rain just as your ceremony is about to begin.
TIP NUMBER 4
Bring a change of shoes to wear during Wedding portraits. There is nothing worse than wearing wet shoes for the rest of your wedding day and your reception, this is for your partner as well! Packing a spare set of shoes for outdoor portraits ensures your 'fancy’ weddings shoes stay dry for the rest of your day. As a photographer I always make sure there is at least two changes of shoes in my trunk, and a complete change of clothes as I have gotten that wet at weddings before!
tip number 4
Have fun! Let go of all your preconceived ideas of what your wedding day is supposed to be and just have fun with your besties and your partner. Your images will still be amazing and beautiful and will reflect what your wedding day truly was- a celebration of your love surrounded by all those that love you, regardless of the rain.
Still have questions about WHAT TO DO IF IT RAINS?! First off BREATHE, and then…
Fraser Valley Wedding Photographer | Campbell Valley Park Portraits and Romantic Backyard Wedding
A Romantic Backyard Wedding in Aldergrove, BC
When I first met Katelyn and Robert for coffee, almost a year ago now, to discuss their wedding photography vision, I was a ball of nerves but honestly I had zero reason to be! These two are the kindest most laid back couple ever and their main goal was for the guests to feel comfortable and have fun! We had such an amazing time at their engagement session earlier this Spring in the gorgeous Cherry Blossoms at Queen Elizabeth Park, just like Robert’s parents did many years ago, that I knew their wedding day would be nothing short of perfect and exactly as they had described.
Truly there is really no place like home. From your own childhood backyard, to your grandparents to your Great Uncle Joe, planning a backyard wedding is an amazing idea!
Top 5 Benefits to having a Backyard Wedding:
Your Fur Babies can Attend- no hassle, no deposits, no travel and no babysitter needed!
Dates are Flexible- complete and utter freedom when booking and no venue deposit is needed.
Guest List- you can have as few of your closest friends and family, or invite your entire graduating class- just remember though, unless your parent’s backyard is the size of a couple football fields, space may be an issue!
Finances- while saving on venue costs don’t forget to have a back up rain plan and rent a large tent to host all your guests, you don’t want to have to delegate out who is going to hold hold the umbrella over grandma while she eats her dinner.
All the Feels- Simply getting ready and saying I do’s to the person of your dreams in the same back yard you played in as a child just can’t be beat. Everyone always seems to have so much fun at backyard weddings- and there truly is no place like home.
When I met up with Katelyn the morning of her wedding she was so relaxed and confident- there was zero nerves- just confidence about marrying the love of her life. We quickly whisked off to Campbell Valley Park for her and Robert’s first look and it took everything in my power to not start crying at Robert’s reaction to seeing Katelyn for the first time on their wedding day. These two are so in love.
Robert’s parents home was both the ceremony and reception location and the amount of work they put into their property to make it absolutely perfect for this love filled day, did not go unnoticed. Can you believe that their parents did all the decor themselves?! Robert’s mom grew all the flowers in their backyard and Katelyn’s mom put together all the Bouquets for the day! Robert and Katelyn had Growlers designed as wedding favours and brewed all the beer for the day. The whole day was filled with love and laughter surrounded by family and friends- exactly as Robert and Katelyn wanted.
Congratulations Robert and Katelyn!
Click on the Play Head to watch the slide show of this gorgeous backyard wedding ceremony and reception.
