Michaela & Ryan’s Rainy Wedding at Shepherd’s Run Winery | South Kingstown, Rhode Island

On September 21 it started pouring and never really stopped.

Michaela and Ryan did not care even a little bit.

Okay that’s not entirely true. Michaela cared a little. She’d been dreaming of an outdoor ceremony at Shepherd’s Run Winery in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and instead she got horizontal rain and wind blowing everyone’s hair around. She told me later she was sitting there trying very hard not to cry and ruin her makeup.

And then (her words, not mine), I swooped in like a superhero.

I’m keeping that in my brain forever.

The shower curtain moment

Before we even get to the ceremony, I need to tell you about the shower curtain. Michaela’s bridesmaids, bless them, pinned a shower curtain underneath the skirt of her dress to protect it from the mud.

That is the kind of problem-solving energy that should be studied in schools.

A first look in the rain

Their first look happened in the courtyard with wind whipping around them and rain coming down, and honestly? It was one of the most romantic things I’ve ever watched. There’s something about weather that strips away any performative energy. You’re not thinking about your posture or your hands or whether you look okay. You’re just there, with your person, in the middle of the storm.

That’s the stuff I live for.

When the bridesmaids become event planners

The outdoor ceremony wasn’t happening. So the bridesmaids grabbed umbrellas, ran outside, and cut late-season hydrangeas straight from the grounds to use as last-minute indoor décor.

I cannot stress enough how good that looked. You’d never have guessed it wasn’t the plan all along.

The Reception

The dance floor was full from basically the first song and stayed that way. Guests were taking turns with custom sunglasses engraved with Michaela and Ryan’s initials and wedding date. The winery’s private room, this incredible space with a full wall of wine barrels, was such a unique, super cool space for portraits.

These two know how to have a good time, and their people showed up for it completely.

What Michaela said

I don’t usually paste full reviews into my posts, but this one stopped me in my tracks:

“On our wedding day, it poured rain and I was absolutely devastated that the outdoor wedding I had been dreaming of was not happening. As I was sitting there faced with that reality, about to ruin my makeup with tears, Andrea swooped in like a superhero and genuinely made me feel like the rain was a good thing. She was the only voice of reason that made me feel like everything was still perfect. She ran around in the rain with us all day capturing the most gorgeous photos and I didn’t feel like I missed out at all. She was prepared with clear umbrellas and we actually had fun! All my vendors have chosen to use her photos from my wedding on their websites — seriously just hire her!!!”

If you’ve ever worried that a rainy wedding day means ruined photos… Michaela and Ryan are the answer to that worry.

Shepherd’s Run Winery, South Kingstown, Rhode Island

As a Rhode Island wedding photographer, I can’t recommend Shepherd’s Run enough. The grounds, the barrel room, the architecture. It photographs beautifully even when the sky is doing its absolute worst. And Rhode Island couples, I would love to be your person. Reach out here and let’s talk.

If you’re still exploring Rhode Island wedding venues, check out my roundup of the best wedding venues in Rhode Island

If you’re worried about rain on your wedding day, I actually wrote a whole guide on what to do when it looks like rain

Vendors

Photographer: Andrea Van Orsouw Photography
Venue/Wedding coordinator: Shepherds Run
Caterer: Blackstone Catering
Florist: The Flower Shack
Rentals: PEAK Entertainment Services
Hair & Makeup: Lockstar Beauty
DJ/Band: Epic Entertainment Boston
Cake: Bibi’s Bittersweets
Videographer: b remembered

Frequently Asked Questions about Shepherd’s Run

Q: Where is Shepherd’s Run located? Shepherd’s Run is in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, about 30 minutes from Providence and close to the University of Rhode Island campus. It’s a vineyard and estate property with stunning architecture, a private wine barrel room, and beautiful grounds that work in any season.

Q: What happens if it rains at a Shepherd’s Run wedding? Michaela and Ryan’s wedding is proof that rain doesn’t have to ruin anything. The venue has covered spaces and flexible options, and honestly some of the most atmospheric photos I’ve ever taken have been on rainy days. Their bridesmaids cut hydrangeas from outside and turned them into last-minute indoor décor. It was one of the most creative pivots I’ve seen.

Q: Is Shepherd’s Run a winery venue? Yes! It’s a working winery, which means you get vineyard views, wine on tap, and that private wine barrel room that makes for genuinely incredible photos. It’s one of those details that elevates the whole aesthetic of the day.

Q: Do you travel to Rhode Island for weddings? All the time! Rhode Island is one of my most frequently photographed states. I’m Connecticut-based so it’s practically in my backyard! Let’s talk about your day.

Q: What should I do if it looks like rain on my wedding day? Trust your photographer and don’t panic. I wrote a whole guide on navigating rain on your wedding day It’s worth a read if the forecast is looking iffy.