Sparklers with bad weather at a winter wedding in Deal Kent

How to Get Gorgeous Photos at a Winter Wedding, Even in Bad Weather

September 24, 2025

Weddings

Winter weddings in Kent are cold, there’s no two ways about it. However, I’m here to show you how to get gorgeous photos at winter weddings in bad weather. There is something magical about the atmosphere of a December day, the candles flickering in a church it feels like Christmas. But without sounding like the Grinch, winter can also bring its challenges. Darker afternoons, unpredictable rain, and colder temperatures can feel a stretch if you are hoping for timeless, elegant wedding photography.

As a wedding photographer who has been photographing weddings since 2012, I have learned that beautiful photos are possible in every kind of condition. The bottom line is that beautiful photos involve beautiful people being their beautiful selves. Beautiful! My fashion photography background, years of experience with studio lighting, and documentary approach mean I can adapt to anything the day presents. Even so, it’s the people I always keep in mind wherever I am. Whether it is rain that changes the plan, or a church so dark it rivals the crypt in Canterbury Cathedral, I make sure couples still receive photographs that feel editorial, and authentic to them.

This blog will guide you through how to get gorgeous photos at winter weddings in bad weather., using one of my weddings in Deal Kent as an example. It will also share tips, insights, and reassurance for couples who may be planning their own winter celebration and want to know what is possible. Let’s go!

Contents

Sparklers with bad weather at a winter wedding in Deal Kent

How to Get Beautiful Winter Wedding Photos in Rain or Snow

At my wedding it rained, and it wasn’t a problem. But before the wedding I was definitely a bit anxious about the possibility of rain. Many couples are the same and worry that rain or snow will ruin their wedding photographs. In reality, these conditions are a reality of living in the UK, and unless you are booking a destination wedding photographer for an abroad wedding, this is something we’ve got to overcome. The wedding I photographed in Deal proves how beautiful a scabby weather winter wedding can be.

Bridal preparation was really smooth at the bride’s house, and her small child was enjoying the Gruffalo while everyone was getting ready. The weather didn’t matter at this point, and the sun was out during this time!

Weather forecast

The forecast for the afternoon was wet, cold, and dark by the time the ceremony began (sunset by 4pm!). Instead of leaving the couple portraits until later, I suggested we adjust the timings. This meant moving the bride and groom’s first moment together forward by two hours. Inside St Mary’s Church in Walmer, with candles glowing and the winter sun streaming through stained glass, they shared a private moment before guests arrived. The result was a rare set of photographs of the Christian bride and groom before they got married, rather than rushed portraits in the rain after the ceremony.

This flexibility is a hallmark of my approach. It might have been planned with a planner or just discussed with me, but I always look at the conditions and find ways to work with them. When there is snow, it can be epic to photograph, but the reality for South East Kent weddings is that you get mostly wind and rain!

Let’s remember what matters. It’s not about just how to get gorgeous photos at winter weddings in bad weather, but embracing the weather and planning around it. By moving timings, scouting sheltered locations, and using light creatively you can still get gorgeous photographs as part of the story.

What If It Rains on Your Winter Wedding Day? Here’s How to Still Get Beautiful Photos

As I have said before, rain on a wedding day is one of the most common fears I hear couples talk about, especially when planning a winter wedding. The truth is, rain simply means we must draw on skill, preparation, and what resources we have available.

At this particular wedding in Deal, the rain began just as the sparklers were due to be lit. Instead of giving up on the moment, we worked quickly and made the best of the atmosphere, capturing the joy of guests before the showers became too heavy. This is where having a planner can be invaluable, helping coordinate timings and keeping things smooth when the weather changes unexpectedly.

By the time we reached the reception at The Astor Theatre, the rain was constant. In less experienced hands, a darker space combined with wet weather could have been a challenge. But years of studio photography meant I knew how to transform the space with off-camera flash. In the upstairs gallery, surrounded by vintage furniture, I created a setup that felt almost like a styled studio shoot. The results were dramatic, editorial portraits with character, turning a rainy day into something truly special.

The key is adaptability. Rain doesn’t mean everything has to happen indoors. It might mean finding a covered archway, using umbrellas in a stylish way, or capturing the cosy atmosphere inside. Each choice adds layers to your story, ensuring how to get gorgeous photos at winter weddings in bad weather.

The Beauty of Winter Weddings: Capturing Timeless Photos in Any Weather

This December winter wedding at St Mary’s Church in Walmer Kent demonstrated how naff weather doesn’t equal naff wedding.

The ceremony space was darker than most churches I have photographed, lit only by old school heaters high above and a generous scattering of candles. While this was a challenge, you just have to work with it if you want to capture the natural atmosphere of the church. The photographs of the couple walking down the candlelit aisle carry a mood and intimacy that just felt like Christmas.

Sparklers with bad weather at a winter wedding in Deal Kent

Winter weddings are usually shorter and guests end up closer together which can feel more intimate. Guests linger longer inside, couples spend more time together in cosy settings, and the celebrations take on a homeliness that suits documentary storytelling.

The result is timeless photography that feels natural, grounded, and honest. Winter weather is not a limitation but a different canvas for artistry.

Rain, Wind, or Frost: The Art of Winter Wedding Photography

Since beginning my career in 2012, I have photographed all sorts of weddings across Kent and beyond that are luxury, intimate, grand and everything in-between. Each one has taught me how to adapt, how to see light differently, and how to serve the couple when the weather doesn’t play along.

At The Astor Theatre reception, the dance floor lighting was focused entirely on the band. This meant guests and the couple would have been in relative darkness. Instead of letting that stop me, I used off-camera flash to shape the space. The result was energetic, vibrant photographs of people dancing and celebrating, every expression clearly visible, while the atmosphere of the live music remained intact.

Not every photographer feels comfortable with flash, especially in documentary-style work, but this is where my fashion background helps. Having trained extensively with lighting, I know how to bring out detail and create flattering photographs without losing the natural flow of the day. It’s about adding just enough light to elevate the scene without overwhelming it.

When couples trust their photographer to work with whatever the day brings, the results are always stronger. Winter weddings can be tough, but to be fair so can 40 degree heat summer weddings.

Creating Elegant Winter Wedding Photography, Even on Rainy Days

Elegance in wedding photography doesn’t depend on the weather. It depends on how the day is seen, captured, and crafted into images. You might already know that my style blends documentary photography with natural, editorial portraits, meaning that even when rain clouds gather, the final gallery feels consistent, refined, and luxurious.

At the December wedding in Deal, this approach was essential. The weather turned wet and cold by evening, yet the photographs still carried warmth and elegance. Whether it was the candlelit portraits in the church, the styled group shots in the gallery space at The Astor Theatre, or the energy of the dance floor, each part of the day felt curated yet authentic.

Part of this comes from building trust with my couples. They know I will find the beauty in every moment, even when it rains. Having photographed weddings for over 13 years, I bring both experience and calm to situations that might otherwise cause stress. That assurance allows couples to relax, which in turn makes their photographs more natural and genuine.

Editorial photography is often thought of as posed, but my approach is softer and more about cropping, curation and editing. By letting people be rather than directing, I capture portraits that feel effortless while still carrying the sophistication of luxury fashion imagery. It’s about what I see rather than controlling. Combined with documentary coverage of the candid moments, the result is a gallery that is both stylish and soulful.

Rainy days should never ruin a wedding, you just have to embrace the change.

Portrait of Tom Keenan one of the best wedding photographers in Kent

Final Thoughts

Winter weddings in Kent are full of character and that’s why I love to photograph them. Anything from candlelit churches to lively receptions in historic venues. Rain, frost, and early sunsets bring their own challenges, but they also create opportunities for photographs that are authentic, editorial, and unforgettable. With over a decade of experience and a background in both fashion and documentary photography, I know how to turn even the darkest church or rainiest day into something awesome.

If you are planning a winter wedding and want photography that feels natural yet luxurious, I would love to hear from you. Whether you are marrying in Deal, Canterbury, Thanet or anywhere across Kent, I bring calm expertise and creative vision to every celebration.

Get in touch to talk about your wedding plans and discover how we can create elegant photography together, whatever the weather brings.