Are you stressing over the possibility of bad weather on your wedding day? A fear of snow, rain, extreme heat or a thunderstorm during your wedding is something that almost every couple planning a wedding has in common, especially those planning an outdoor wedding or wanting outdoor photos. So what can you do to make sure you capture picture-perfect moments if the worst-case scenario happens?
Are you stressing over the possibility of bad weather on your wedding day? A fear of snow, rain, extreme heat or a thunderstorm during your wedding is something that almost every couple planning a wedding has in common, especially those planning an outdoor wedding or wanting outdoor photos. So what can you do to make sure you capture picture-perfect moments if the worst-case scenario happens?
Creative and skilled wedding photographers can make any moment magical!
Most people find it hard the believe that this photo was taken in September, in downtown Calgary, at 2:00 in the afternoon, but I promise you it was. I shot this photo for my good friend and mentor, Jason, at Crush Photography while photographing a wedding together in downtown Calgary.
This wedding was supposed to be a classic fall wedding in Calgary, with warm sun, bold yellow and orange colours, and beautiful golden light. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans, and a freak snowstorm blew in. Luckily, we were prepared, and the bride and groom were flexible.
Hiring a photographer who is prepared for anything is critical for capturing moments like these. With a creative eye, solid technical skills, the right equipment, and solid teamwork, we took terrible weather and made it a memorable wedding photo.
To create this shot, we gave the bride and groom one of my photography umbrellas and stuck a flash inside. I then had Jason crouch behind them with another flash. We dialled in the exposure so that the background went dark and the light provided by the flashes beautifully illuminated the happy couple and big fluffy snowflakes.
This is one of my favourite photos; the way the couple stands out combined with the magical feel of the snowflakes really gives it impact and tells not just their story but the story of their wedding.
Aside from being a great photo, this image highlights one of the most important skills a successful wedding photographer needs to have, the ability to think on their feet creatively. Regardless of how carefully planned your wedding is, there will always be things that change or go wrong. Great photographers are not just able to adapt but can take those curve balls and turn them into magical moments.
Featured FAQs Section Title
You can do many things to be ready if mother nature throws you a curveball.
If there is a chance that the weather could turn sour on your wedding day, plan ahead. Talk to your photographer about indoor and outdoor locations where photos can be taken. We are lucky in Calgary to have many great interior spaces to photograph; however, some of them do require advanced notice or a small fee. So be prepared beforehand to avoid any disappointment.
Purchase or rent a bridal petticoat or poncho. These run the gamut from cheap and disposable to luxurious and expensive. Whatever option you choose, make sure you know how to put it on and take it off.
Umbrellas – Purchase or rent matching umbrellas for you and your wedding party. These could be clear, white and black, or more fun and exciting colours and patterns. Whatever you choose, make sure it is easy to open, durable, and comfortable to hold.
When planning time for your photos, plan for more time than you think you need. If the weather is good and there are no hiccups, this will allow for extra photos to be taken. If the weather turns, we can be flexible and adapt, ensuring that you get photos of your wedding that you will cherish for decades.
Bring extra makeup. If it rains hard, or the heat and humidity get to be too much, it can help to have a bit of backup makeup to touch up your look.
At Maple Bacon Photography, we have photographed people and events in all sorts of weather. From blistering heat to arctic cold and everything in between. If you are worried about getting great wedding photos in Calgary’s temperamental climate, there are some questions you can ask your photographer to put your mind at ease.
Is your gear weather sealed? Most professional-level photography equipment is designed and built to withstand heat, cold, and moisture. At Maple Bacon Photography, we have been caught in torrential downpours and freezing blizzards, and our trusty gear keeps on shooting.
Do you have a backup plan? At Maple Bacon Photography, we plan for the worst and hope for the best. We scout the locations for the weddings we photograph in advance, and one of the things we look for is where we could take photos if the weather turns. We also come prepared with smaller items like ponchos, umbrellas, or thin mittens if we anticipate lousy weather.
So it happened, the forecast came true, and that classic Calgary Thunderstorm came rolling through at 3:00 PM, exactly when you were supposed to be getting your bride and groom portraits done. What to do now?
The first option is to wait it out. Often in Calgary and Southern Alberta, the bad weather passes within twenty to thirty minutes. If you have planned enough time for photos, we can wait it out, and you can sneak off to enjoy a few minutes of quiet time with your new spouse.
If waiting it out isn’t an option, we can move to Plan B. This is where having indoor locations to get photos, combined with our location scouting, comes into play.
Finally, if you are adventurous and up for some fun, we embrace the weather and capture some truly one-of-a-kind photos.
Happy Moments We've Captured!
Maple Bacon Photography is proud to have worked with many families and happy couples. Since the creation of our company in 2015, we have established ourselves as a reliable and trustworthy business among our clients. But don’t just take our word for it!
Contact Us
When you’re ready to book your photos with one of our professional and artistic photographers, contact Maple Bacon Photography at 1-587-880-2045 or by filling out this form.