Planning a Wedding in Orlando? Brace for Rain - Here’s What a Wedding Photographer Wants You to Know

Rain on your wedding day? It’s not the disaster you might imagine.

In Florida, especially here in Orlando, it is not a matter of if it will rain, but when. Nearly 40% of our days bring some form of precipitation, often as quick afternoon showers. So it is no surprise that almost every couple planning a wedding in Central Florida asks me, What happens if it rains on our wedding day?

It rains 40% of the days in Orlando.
That’s about 148 days a year, planning ahead just makes sense.

I have been photographing weddings in Central Florida for over ten years, and in that time, I have seen just about every kind of weather. Blue skies, tropical storms, surprise downpours in the middle of a ceremony. I have worked with couples who planned for rain, and others who had to shift gears at the last minute. And with the right mindset, a little preparation, and a trusted team, through it all, one thing has always been true: the rain does not ruin your day.

In fact, some of the most beautiful, story-filled moments I have captured as an Orlando wedding photographer happened under umbrellas, in candlelit ballrooms, or right after a rainstorm. As long as you have the right people around you and your story is captured with care, your photos will reflect the joy and meaning of your day.

So what will we do if it rains?

Let’s walk through a few things that can help, including real weddings I have photographed and a few wedding tips straight from an Orlando wedding photographer.

1. Start with the Venue

Some venues are better prepared than others for a sudden change in weather, but all of them have options if you talk through your vision early. I always recommend asking your venue coordinator: What has been done before here when it rained? What worked really well? Their insight is so valuable, and their experience can give you peace of mind.

Here are some real examples of how the same venue can flex beautifully with the weather:

Brooke and Jacob’s wedding at Cypress Grove Estate House

Brooke had such a beautiful vision for her wedding day. She chose Cypress Grove Estate and was going for soft pastel yellows with vintage touches and garden vibes. Cypress Grove is a gorgeous estate house, but it does not offer any indoor options beyond the getting ready spaces.

That is where Anna Christine Events came in. She guided Brooke in preparing for the possibility of rain and suggested setting up a tent. Since tent setup requires at least 24 hours' notice, they booked EventWorks and made sure everything was in place.

At first, Brooke was hesitant. She worried the tent might take away from her vision, but the moment she saw it, she lit up. She said she was surprised by the level of sophistication it added and she loved it!

Thanks to that thoughtful planning, Brooke was able to fully enjoy the day she had dreamed of, knowing her guests and her beautiful details were protected in case the rain came. As you will see in the photos, Brooke and Jacob had their dream day. The rain did arrive, but it never dampened their wedding, they danced the night away.

“No one wants it to rain on their wedding day but when a couple chooses an outdoor venue in Florida, it's important to have a viable rain plan. We like to tell all of our couples to think of the tent as wedding insurance. You've already spent X amount of money on your wedding and it would be terrible to have it ruined because of rain. The only thing we cannot control is the weather but we can prepare for it! Brooke loved the Cypress trees and openness of the Grand Lawn at Cypress Grove. A clear tent was less obstructive to the beautiful views while providing the necessary coverage for their guests. As wedding day approached, so did unpredictable weather. It was overcast all day and both Brooke and Jacob were relieved that they decided to keep the tent. By making that choice, they were able to rest well the night before their wedding instead of keeping their fingers crossed and hoping that the clouds would blow over.” - Laura, Anna Christine Events

Kate & Billy’s wedding at Casa Feliz

Kate and Billy's wedding was one of those unpredictable Florida weather days. Some people saw "rain at 4:00" on their weather apps, while others saw nothing but sunshine in the forecast. This always makes it tricky, especially when couples have a clear vision for how they want the day to look and feel. Thankfully, Kate and Billy had Monica from As You Wish by their side to walk them through it. This goes back to what I mentioned earlier about the importance of having a strong vendor team.

Kate had always envisioned an outdoor celebration, even for the reception. Monica gently reassured her that an indoor setup would be just as beautiful, especially at a venue like Casa Feliz. She explained how they could still have cocktail hour and toasts in the charming courtyard so Kate could have the beautiful outdoor photos she had dreamed of in that space.

Everything worked out perfectly. Dinner was moved inside and the tables were spread throughout the historic rooms Casa Feliz is known for. The air conditioning was a welcome bonus and the entire evening flowed beautifully. Even though the rain never came, everyone was able to fully relax and enjoy themselves.

And for couples planning a wedding during Florida’s unpredictable seasons, this is a great reminder that rainy wedding photography can still look stunning when the right choices and guidance are in place.

“We always encourage our couples to fall in love with their backup plan. We never want the weather to ruin their day. Some of the most beautiful weddings have been backup plans. Plus, a little rain on your wedding day is supposed to be good luck.” - As You Wish Team

II Surround Yourself with Experienced Vendors

When it comes to weather, your vendor team can be your biggest support. I always tell my couples: surround yourself with people you can ask, “What if it rains?” and they already know the answer because they’ve helped other couples through it before.

The benefit of hiring local, experienced vendors is that they know the venues, the climate, and the possible scenarios. They’ve seen it done ten different ways and can help you choose the best one for your day.

For example:

• Your makeup artist can use waterproof products and help you plan for touch-ups throughout the day.

• A hair stylist might recommend a humidity-resistant style or stay on site a little longer to help with any changes.

• Your florist can choose blooms that hold up better in warm, damp air and avoid anything that wilts at the sight of a cloud.

• And from my side as your wedding photographer, I would scout indoor spots ahead of time, especially at larger venues like the Ritz or Bella Collina, so we can easily pivot without losing photo time. I also bring the right gear to photograph in indoor or wet environments. That kind of preparation makes all the difference.

And of course, your wedding planner will be the one pulling all those moving pieces together. They’re the calm in the middle of the storm (literally), and they’ll know how to guide the day with grace.

Cristine & Jason’s wedding at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando

Cristine and Jason were planning a large celebration at the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes Orlando. The Ritz has a gorgeous courtyard that so many couples fall in love with and often choose the venue for that very reason. When the forecast showed that rain was not only likely but coming in strong, Kelsey from Simply Enchanted Events stepped in to guide Cristine and Jason toward the best option for not only them, but also their guests. Their ceremony was moved to an indoor ballroom, and while it was a tough decision, it was absolutely the right one.

Cristine struggled with it, like anyone would. She had imagined her ceremony in that courtyard for months. But since the rain was not expected until later, we made a new plan together. Kelsey had designed their timeline to include a first look, couple's portraits, wedding party photos, and family photos before the ceremony. We opted to do all of those in the courtyard, so the space still got its moment to shine, and Cristine was able to have the photos she had envisioned in the place she loved most.

The indoor ceremony space was beautifully transformed by Simply Enchanted Events. It felt warm and elegant, not like a last-minute change at all. After the ceremony, we had extra time set aside for portraits. My associate and I had already scouted a few stunning indoor spots at the Ritz, so everything flowed smoothly. Cristine and Jason were able to relax and enjoy the day knowing every detail was taken care of, rain or not.

“On the day of, I checked in with the bride in the morning over text to see how she was feeling/ how the morning was going. I did give her a heads up that we may have to move inside, but we will make the call once I arrive. On my way there, I called Bluegrass Chic to bring in a white arch so we could transfer the ceremony florals (that were originally supposed to be on the outdoor trellis). If we didn’t do this, we really wouldn’t have had a way to repurpose their ceremony floral. I was in contact with Lori, from the Ritz, the whole morning making a game plan. We made the change once I arrived and the bride and groom were happy with the decision. We are able to get pictures in their original ceremony spot before the rain started.” - Kelsey, Simply Enchanted Events

Here are some photos of their beautiful celebration, showcasing both their original outdoor vision and the timeless elegance of their Ritz Carlton wedding photography indoors.

III. Photographer’s Eye: It’s Still About the Visual Story

As a wedding photographer, I am always looking at light, textures, and mood. Rain gives us all of that. Some of my favorite images were taken on rainy days. A little drizzle can create dreamy, cinematic moments. A reflective floor, moody sky, or cozy indoor light can be incredibly romantic.

And let’s be honest, everyone huddling close or sharing an umbrella is the kind of storytelling I love.

I also always bring a few clear umbrellas because they photograph beautifully. I am very comfortable working indoors with flash or window light, and I have captured some of my favorite portraits this way.

Rain changes the vibe but not the meaning.

IV. Plan Ahead and Then Let Go

One of the best things you can do is talk through Plan B with your team before the day arrives. That way, if the forecast shifts, you are not scrambling. You are simply following the plan you already made.

Let your vendors know:

• What spaces you would love to use, even if it is just for portraits

• What is most important to you, such as staying dry, still getting certain photos, or making guests comfortable

• Whether you would prefer a quick timeline adjustment instead of moving locations

If you have a wedding planner, they will take care of all of this and you will not have to think about it. If not, make sure someone you trust, whether it is a friend, coordinator, or family member, is ready to step into that role and help move things along.

V. Thoughtful Touches for Your Guests

Rain does not just affect you. It affects everyone attending. Thoughtful details can go a long way in making guests feel cared for, even if plans change.

Here are a few simple ways couples have shown their guests love:

• Clear umbrellas available for walking between spaces

• A welcome drink or towel station if it is especially humid or warm

• Blanket baskets or cozy details for cooler weather

• A sign at the ceremony explaining the shift so guests are not confused or stressed

These little things do not take much, but they make everyone feel more relaxed and appreciated.

VI. Embrace It

We plan and prepare to avoid chaos, but sometimes the moments you remember most come from the ones you did not expect.

The quiet walk under the umbrella. The laughter as the dance floor starts to steam. The warm glow of candlelight inside a space you had not originally imagined.

The rain becomes part of your story, and I promise it can be just as beautiful.

Thinking about your own wedding day?

Hi, I’m Joanna.

I’m a wedding photographer based in Orlando, Florida. My style is documentary, emotional, and quietly intentional. I have photographed over a hundred weddings in Central Florida, from bright sunny garden ceremonies to candlelit rainy receptions. What matters most to me is that your story is captured with heart, no matter the weather.

If you are planning your wedding and want someone who is calm under pressure, deeply familiar with Orlando venues, and ready for anything, I would love to hear more about your plans.

Reach out through my contact page.