Anyone preparing for a wedding knows that rain is a possibility. You’ve talked to the site about your Plan B, and re-figured charts to decide how to make the indoor reception just as magical as an outside affair. But what about photographs? A rainy day is going to put an end to the sunset photos by the river that you’ve dreamed about, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful. Here, a couple of smart ideas to keep your rainy-day photographs covered in cheer.

“Make the event romantic,” says New York City wedding photographer Piero Ribelli. “If the two of you are good sports, grab umbrellas and do some cozy shots in the rain.” While that might seem outrageous, it can juice up your pictures and give them a fresh, spontaneous look.

Your dress and makeup need to be considered, so if you’re taking the photographs before the wedding, or if it’s simply raining too hard, you can improvise. Find a bridge to stand under, or trees, or run indoors. “I was shooting an outdoor wedding in Manhattan and it started to pour,” says Ribelli. “We dashed off to Grand Central Station, and took some fabulous photos on the spot.”

Not everyone has the means to get to Grand Central Station, but you can find little out-of-the-way places to shoot—make sure you’re polite to anyone who questions your intentions, and always ask permission. Parks have wonderful spots where it’s dry, and if you’re in a scenic or historical area, look for a museum or famous restaurant or landmark.

While these ideas can add a wonderful touch to your rainy-day wedding, you still need the back-up rain plan. (It’s not the photographer’s job to scout out the secondary location.) After you hire your photographer, make sure you consult with him about where rainy-day photographs will be taken. He should contact the reception site and find out specifics. If you’re having an affair in a tent, there needs to be a cornered-off section for the wedding photos.

Even if the two of you can’t think of anything more romantic and exciting than photographs in the rain, your family and bridal party might not share your enthusiasm. It’s especially important that the back-up rain plan includes all of them, in a dry spot where they will feel comfortable, and not have to deal with the wet look.

-David Toussaint

Check Out Preparing for Rain on Your Wedding Day
Check Out Finding the Right Local Wedding Photographer
Check Out Pre-Ceremony Wedding Pictures