A Rainy Forest Wedding at Pinehill Pavilion: Alex & Jaylen

Alex and Jaylen's wedding day had every reason to go sideways. Not long before the wedding, Alex broke both of her ankles. Then, partway through their ceremony out in the forest, it started to rain. And somehow (maybe because of all that) it turned into one of those days that reminds me why I love photographing couples at Pinehill Pavilion so much.

If you're planning an outdoor ceremony and quietly checking the 10-day forecast every hour, this one's for you.

Two Broken Ankles and One Very Determined Bride

Here's the part most guests never knew: in the stretch leading up to her wedding, Alex was healing from two broken ankles. Planning a wedding is a lot on its own. Planning one when you can't walk to the mailbox is a whole different level.

Thankfully, by the big day she was healed enough to leave the casts behind. No cast in the photos, no hiding anything under her dress. Just Alex, walking toward Jaylen.

I think about that every time I look at her processional photos. Those steps down the aisle weren't a given. She worked for every one of them, and you can see it in her face.

What Happens When It Rains During a Forest Ceremony at Pinehill?

You keep going, and it usually turns out more beautiful than anyone expected. Alex and Jaylen chose the forest ceremony site at Pinehill, tucked under the trees, and partway through their vows the rain started to fall.

Rain is the thing most couples dread about an outdoor ceremony. But after everything Alex had already been through just to get to that aisle, a little rain felt almost fitting. This was a couple who'd already proven they could handle a curveball, and the weather simply became part of their story.

Years from now, nobody will remember the forecast. They'll remember that it rained, and that Alex and Jaylen got married anyway.

Why Rain Can Make for Some of the Best Wedding Photos

Rain on your wedding day feels like a disaster while it's happening. In photos, it's often the opposite. After 19 years and more than 400 weddings, here's what I've learned to love about it:

The light gets soft and flattering. Clouds act like a giant diffuser, so there's no squinting and no harsh shadows under anyone's eyes.
The forest comes alive. Wet bark darkens, the greens get richer, and the woods at Pinehill look even more like a storybook than they already do.
Nobody's posing anymore. Rain makes people laugh, lean in, and hold on a little tighter. That's the real, unscripted emotion my documentary approach is built around.

What Should You Do If Rain Is in the Forecast for Your Pinehill Wedding?

Plan for it early, and then let it go. A few things I share with every couple getting married outdoors:

Talk through the rain plan with the venue ahead of time. Pinehill has more than one ceremony site plus an indoor reception hall, so you have options. Knowing your backup in advance takes so much stress off the morning.
Pick up a few clear umbrellas. They keep everyone dry without hiding faces, and they photograph beautifully.
Wear shoes you can actually walk in. Forest paths get soft when they're wet. (Alex's ankles would back me up on this one.)
Leave a little cushion in your timeline. If you need to wait out a passing shower for portraits, you'll be glad you have it.

Planning Your Own Pinehill Pavilion Wedding?

Rain or shine, Pinehill is one of those venues that gives you room to adapt and still look stunning doing it. If you're starting to picture your own day there, rain plan and all, I'd love to hear about it.

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