Insights · Wedding day
Everything's ready, and then the forecast shows rain. Your first thought is that the day is ruined. It isn't. With a little preparation, a rainy wedding can turn out to be one of the most atmospheric you'll ever see.
Below you'll find what to sort out in advance, what to have with you, how the church ceremony and the reception work when it rains, and why photos on a cloudy day are often better than you'd expect.
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"Rain on your wedding day is good luck"
Greek grandmothers swear by it, and we hear it at every wedding that starts under grey skies: rain on the wedding day brings the couple luck and abundance. Whether that's true, we can't say. What we do know is that the couples who took the rain in their stride have some of the most special photos we've ever taken.
Before the wedding: a plan B
- Ask your reception venue. Does it have a covered or indoor space? Can a marquee be set up? What's the deadline for deciding? A good venue will already have a wet-weather plan.
- Follow the forecast early. A week out you'll have a rough idea; three days out, a fairly clear picture. Agree with the venue when you'll make the final call.
- Let your guests know. Send a message the day before so they come with sensible shoes and an umbrella.
- Talk to your photographer. Which parts of the venue are covered, where we'll do your couple portraits if the rain doesn't let up, and whether you'd like a next day photo shoot on another day.
- Your hair and your dress. Humidity plays havoc with hair, so ask your hairdresser for a style that will hold. For the dress, ask your seamstress how to keep the hem off the ground.
Clouds are the biggest softbox in the world. The light is soft with no harsh shadows, and faces look better than they ever do in the hot midday sun.
What to have with you if it rains
- Umbrellas for the couple. A large white or clear umbrella doesn't just keep you dry, it ends up in the photos too. Clear ones let the light reach your faces.
- Umbrellas for the koumbaroi (best man and maid of honour) and your parents. For the walk from the car to the church.
- A second pair of shoes. For the bride and groom, to get from place to place or to change into later.
- A towel and tissues. In the car, for your shoes and the hem of the dress.
- A cardigan or a shawl. Rain usually brings a chill with it, especially in the evening.
The church and the reception
The ceremony itself is indoors, so the rain mostly affects your arrival and your exit. Ask the driver to pull up as close to the entrance as possible, and have someone waiting for you with an umbrella. At the exit, the rice throwing can happen inside the narthex or under a canopy.
For the reception, if the venue has an indoor hall or a marquee, the evening carries on as planned. Ask for heaters if it's chilly, and make sure there is a covered walkway for your guests. If you are still looking for a venue, see our guide to wedding venues in Achaia.
Photographs when it rains
Most couples worry the rain will spoil their photos. In practice, it often does the opposite. A cloudy day gives you soft light, deep colours and a sky with real character. And rain brings moments nobody could stage: laughter under an umbrella, a kiss as the drops fall, reflections on the wet ground.
- We use every break in the rain. It rarely rains non-stop. When it eases off for a few minutes, out we go.
- We look for covered spots. An arch, a veranda, a staircase, a large window. Every venue has corners that work beautifully for photos.
- We make the rain part of the story. If you're up for it, we head out with the umbrellas for a few minutes. Those are often the photos couples end up loving most.
- And if it doesn't stop at all? A next day photo shoot on another day, in your wedding outfits and with no clock to watch, solves the problem.
On video, too, the sound of the rain, the umbrellas and the brooding sky give everything a cinematic feel. See what's included in a wedding film.
When does it rain least?
In Patras and Western Greece, summer is usually dry, and most rain falls between November and March. Even in June or September, though, a sudden shower can roll in. That's why every wedding needs a plan B, whatever the season. If you're thinking of a winter wedding, see our guide to the winter wedding.
Whatever the weather, the wishes stay the same: see our wedding wishes for a card, the best man, parents and friends.
Frequently asked questions about rain on your wedding day
What do we do if it rains on our wedding day?
Have a plan B ready with your reception venue (an indoor hall or a marquee), umbrellas for the two of you and your family, and talk to your photographer about the covered spots. The day carries on as planned.
Is rain on your wedding day good luck?
According to Greek folk tradition, yes: they say rain on the wedding day brings the couple luck and abundance.
Does rain ruin the photographs?
No. Cloud cover gives soft light and deep colours, and rain brings spontaneous moments. The photographs are taken during breaks in the rain and in covered spots.
Can we take the couple's photographs on another day?
Yes. A next day photo shoot, in your wedding outfits, is the best solution if it rains all day.
What umbrella should we get for the photographs?
A large clear or white one. A clear umbrella lets the light reach your faces, and a white one goes with the dress.
Worried about the weather?
Tell us your wedding date and venue. We'll work out a plan B together, so your day goes the way you want it to, whatever the weather.
Photographs: Dimitris Stergiou and the studio team