Rain on your wedding day: what to do (and why they say it brings luck)

Insights · Wedding day

You have prepared everything, and the forecast shows rain. Your first thought is that the day will be ruined. It won't. With a little preparation, a rainy wedding can be the most atmospheric and the most unforgettable of all.

In this guide you will find what to arrange in advance, what to have with you, how the church ceremony and the reception work when it rains, and why photographs on a cloudy day are often more beautiful than you imagine.

"Rain on your wedding day is good luck"

Greek grandmothers say it, and we hear it at every wedding that starts under clouds: rain on the wedding day brings the couple luck and abundance. We don't know if it is true. But we do know that the couples who welcomed the rain with a smile have some of the most special photographs we have 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? By when do you need to decide? A good venue already has a rain plan ready.
• Follow the forecast early. A week before you have an idea, three days before you have a good picture. Agree with the venue when you will make the final decision.
• Let your guests know. A message the day before, so they come with suitable shoes and an umbrella.
• Talk to your photographer. Which parts of the venue are covered, where we will take the couple's photographs if the rain doesn't stop, and whether you would like a next day photo shoot on another day.
• Your hair and your dress. Humidity affects hair, so talk to your hairdresser about a style that holds. For the dress, ask your seamstress how to keep the hem lifted.

What to have with you if it rains

• Umbrellas for the couple. A large white or clear umbrella doesn't just protect you, it becomes part of the photographs. 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, for getting around or for later.
• A towel and tissues. In the car, for your shoes and the hem of the dress.
• A cardigan or a shawl. Rain also brings a chill, especially in the evening.

The church and the reception

The ceremony takes place inside the church, so the rain mainly affects your arrival and your exit. Ask the driver to stop as close to the entrance as possible, and arrange for someone to wait 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 is cool, 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 fear they will lose their photographs. In practice the opposite happens. A cloudy day gives soft light, deep colours and a sky with character. And the rain brings moments that can't be staged: laughter under an umbrella, a kiss as the drops fall, reflections on the wet ground.

• We use every break in the rain. Rain rarely falls without pause. When it eases for a few minutes, we go out.
• We look for covered spots. An arch, a veranda, a staircase, a large window. Every venue has corners that make wonderful photographs.
• We make the rain part of the story. If you like, we step out with the umbrellas for a few minutes. These are often the photographs couples love 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, is the perfect solution.

On video too, the sound of the rain, the umbrellas and the cloudy sky create a cinematic atmosphere. 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 come. That's why every wedding needs a plan B, whatever the season. If you are thinking of a winter wedding, see our guide to the winter wedding.