If we’re being honest, no one *wishes* for rain, and the rainy wedding pictures that come with it — on their wedding day, despite the supposed good luck it brings. Not only does it cause logistical issues, it’s the arch nemesis of bridal hair and makeup for every bride (and bridesmaid, and mother of the bride, and every woman in attendance) everywhere. And that’s before we even consider the added angle of a destination wedding in France where your friends and family have flown in from all over the world to celebrate you and your partner on the big day. Flights have been booked, sightseeing plans have been on the agenda for months, and the potential for less-than-ideal weather was just a distant worry that you never really let yourself worry about.
But what if I told you it’s not nearly as bad as it seems. And maybe even that it could be the most magical memory of all time?
Wait, wait…don’t close the tab and exit out of this blog! Just give me a minute and hear me out here. I think I’ll be able to make you a rain-on-your-wedding-day convert. Or at the very least show you that it’s not something to fear!
Rain creates a cozy, intimate vibe
But here’s what we learned from Nicole and Erik’s beautiful rustic wedding in the French countryside (that just so happened to get a little rain during the ceremony). Rain doesn’t ruin anything. In fact, it was responsible for some of the most stunning rainy wedding pictures we’ve ever seen. Though if we’re being real, that was also in large part due to Stephen Liberge working his magic behind the lens, too.
The drizzly wedding ceremony had the sort of intimate feel and romantic vibe that people spend thousands of dollars to achieve, with the gorgeous rainy wedding pictures to match. And it really provided a unique feel that the perfectly sunny weather oftentimes just can’t capture.
Now, in all fairness, this picture-perfect wedding did have everything going for it beyond the weather: a garden ceremony surrounded by century-old stone walls, a cozy barn reception with string lights, and guests who traveled from across the world to be there for the big day. So while those elements certainly add to the intimate, romantic vibe, the rain made it even more memorable than the happy couple could’ve ever hoped for.
When rain becomes part of your wedding story
There’s something undeniably romantic about rainy wedding pictures. And if you needed to be convinced of that fact, the pictures in this blog post from Erik and Nicole’s day should do the trick. There’s something about the soft light, the dramatic skies, and the way everyone gathers just a little bit closer. This perfect French countryside wedding is proof of that.
A Ceremony That Embraced the Moment
The ceremony was held in the estate’s garden courtyard, which was framed by centuries-old stone walls crawling with lush greenery. The layout was simple and sweet: wooden cross-back chairs laid out on the lawn, an asymmetrical floral structure, and the couple exchanging vows front and center as friends and family watched from a few feet away. Then about halfway through, the clouds opened up.
Instead of everyone rushing around to take cover inside, the ceremony continued on without a hitch as simple clear umbrellas were brought out to keep everyone dry. The couple remained at the altar with a single umbrella held over their heads as they finished the ceremony under the soft drizzle. If you ever had any worry that rain would ruin your ceremony, all it takes is one look at these beautiful images to put that concern at ease.
The black and white images are timeless and stunning. The color photos capture the brilliant colors of nature in full bloom. And perhaps my favorite are the candid photos of friends and family huddled together as they watch their loved ones on the biggest day of their lives. The love and genuineness of the moment radiates from each picture.
A Seamless Transition Indoors
After the garden ceremony was over, everyone moved into the rustic barn space where string lights hung from the exposed wooden beams and lit up a long family-style table large enough to accommodate everyone. This is a good example of the importance of having a venue with a beautiful indoor backup plan for everyone to dry off and enjoy food and drinks together.
The soft lights mixed with the simple white linens, jewel-toned florals in vintage glass bottles, stone walls, and exposed wooden beams was really the perfect balance to the garden ceremony that took place before it. And while this same dinner layout would’ve worked great outside as well, having a design that can work both inside or outside means your vision will translate to any setting if the skies do decide to open up on your wedding day.
Planning for (and embracing) rain on your wedding day
If there’s one thing you take from these perfect rainy wedding pictures, I hope it’s this: while you certainly need a solid plan B, you definitely don’t need to stress about the possibility of rain on your wedding day. Especially when you’re planning a destination wedding in France, weather is just one of those factors that’s impossible to control. What you can control, however, is picking a venue that has a great fall-back plan with flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, an excellent photographer who can capture candid moments and make them feel effortlessly timeless, and a wedding planner who knows how to plan for multiple scenarios and can pivot quickly when one of those back-up situations is needed. Most importantly, it’s critical that you adjust your mindset about what “perfect” weather actually means. Be open to the possibility of “perfect” weather being something other than 75 and sunny!
I know I’m probably a bit biased here, but rustic French countryside estates are a perfect option for venues with flexible spaces. They have indoor options that are just as beautiful and filled with charm as the outdoor ones, without ever having to feel like the indoor space is an afterthought. Converted barns with string lights and exposed beams, château salons with fireplaces and chandeliers, covered terraces that split the difference. These aren’t backup plans that make you feel like you’re settling. They’re just different versions of the same beautiful day. And finding a local wedding planner who knows the beautiful, less-touristy versions of France, will go a long way to finding a swoon-worthy venue no matter the weather.
Ready to plan your French countryside wedding?
Rain or shine, I can promise you one thing without a doubt. Your wedding day in France will be unforgettable. And that’s doubly true when you have a planner who knows how to handle whatever comes your way. At Pétillante Weddings, we specialize in creating beautiful destination weddings in France for couples from the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Let’s start planning yours!
Be the first to comment