Do I Need A Wedding Umbrella?

No marriage is all sunshine, but two people can share one umbrella

Which umbrellas work well for weddings?

There are a few options for wedding umbrellas, and it depends on what you’re using it for: is it just for photos or is it to keep you dry?

Clear dome umbrellas – These are a photographer’s favourite. They keep you dry but let the light in, so your face isn’t hidden.

Classic white or ivory – Perfect for those who want something that complements their dress.

Colour-coordinated umbrellas – Match your umbrella with your bridesmaids or groomsmen. A pop of colour looks brilliant in photos.

Big golf umbrellas – These are for when there’s “big” rain. Not very glamorous, but when the rain is horizontal, you’ll be glad of the extra coverage.

Personalised umbrellas – Names, dates, or even a cheeky message. Fun to keep afterwards too.

Where can I get a wedding umbrella?

There are lots of places to find wedding umbrellas. Remember this is just for the day, so you don’t ned to spend a lot of money on them, but you want them to be nice for your photos.

I checked out Online shops like Amazon and Etsy, and there were lots of them on there. 

Local wedding suppliers often hire or sell umbrellas (worth supporting small businesses).

Bridal boutiques sometimes stock them to match accessories, although I’ve never known a bride to get one from there.

And if you don’t want to bother with a wedding umbrella, trust in the sunshine gods. I’m pretty sure your photographer will always have one with them, but you could ask just to make sure.

What to look out for

Go for windproof frames if you can.  A broken umbrella in the wind is more comedy sketch than wedding chic.

Comfortable handles. You’ll hold it longer than you think.

Order a few extras. One for you, one for your partner, and a couple of spares for the wedding party.

If you want personalised umbrellas, check delivery times so they arrive well before the big day.

And double check the artwork, you don’t want your brolly up for a photo and it’s got your name or date spelt wrong on it.

Whether you use your wedding brolly or not, keep one on standby.

Keep one in the car, hand another to your best man or maid of honour, and don’t be afraid to embrace it.

Some of the best wedding photos I’ve seen are couples laughing under a big brolly with rain bouncing all around them.

After all, it’s Scotland. If the sun shines all day, you’ll feel like you’ve won the lottery.

If it rains, at least you’ll look good while staying dry.