Everybody crosses their fingers for good weather on their wedding day, but inevitably, there are days when the weather doesn’t cooperate. It was one of those days for Alex and Ethan, but as you can see from this picture of Ethan with two of his groomsmen, they did not let that stop them from having Serious Fun.

When things do not go as planned, you can either resist it and complain, or go with the flow and realize there is magic in every moment, including rainy ones.

As we tell all our clients during the consultation meeting before their wedding: “Be prepared for bad weather, because it’s always good to have a contingency plan, just in case. Have some rain boots and a big umbrella on hand. But most importantly, be aware that rain usually makes for GREAT pictures!!!”

That’s because rainclouds soften the light, which creates a very flattering backdrop for portraits.

But the single most effective way to look good in pictures is to be having fun. Which was Ethan’s approach from the get-go.

It helped that Blooming Hill Farm is an incredibly photogenic spot, with potted flowers everywhere, old barn buildings, fields and meadows, and gently sloping mountains in the distance. (And if homemade pizza made with farm-to-table produce sounds good to you, make a beeline there.)

Wedding Venue: Blooming Hill Farm | Wedding Cake: The Village TeaRoom | Wedding Tent: Cartwright & Daughters Tent & Party Rentals | Makeup: Makeup by Monique | Florist: Fleur-Di-Re | Day-of Wedding Coordinator: Hudson Valley Ceremonies | Wedding dress: Designer Loft Bridal | Band: West Philadelphia Orchestra

Photo location: Blooming Hill Farm, 1251 NY-208, Monroe, NY 10950