Weddings at the Brooklake Country Club: Why This Rainy Wedding Became One of My All-Time Favorites
When couples begin planning their wedding, there is one thing that almost everyone worries about.
The weather.
Months of planning go into choosing the perfect venue, selecting flowers, finding the right dress, and building a timeline that allows everything to fall into place. Yet there is one thing that no amount of planning can control.
Rain.
As a New Jersey wedding photographer, I have photographed weddings in every kind of weather imaginable. Bright sunshine, snowy landscapes, windy beaches, foggy mornings, and everything in between. But many years ago, I photographed a wedding at the Brooklake Country Club that completely changed the way I looked at rainy wedding days.
It poured.
Not a light drizzle.
Not a passing shower.
It was one of those relentless New Jersey rainstorms where the skies stay dark and the umbrellas never close.
And somehow, it became one of the most unforgettable weddings I have ever photographed.
Why I Love Weddings at the Brooklake Country Club
Brooklake Country Club has long been one of New Jersey’s most elegant wedding venues. The property combines beautiful outdoor scenery with sophisticated indoor spaces, giving couples the best of both worlds. The lake, landscaped grounds, golf course views, and elegant ballroom create endless opportunities for beautiful photographs. The venue is also known for hosting one wedding at a time, allowing couples to enjoy a private and personalized experience. (Brooklake Events)
One of the reasons photographers love Brooklake is that it works beautifully in every season and almost every weather condition.
Sunny days create stunning lakeside portraits.
Autumn weddings bring rich colors across the property.
Winter weddings feel elegant and timeless.
And as I discovered on this particular wedding day…
Even pouring rain can create something magical.
The Forecast Was Not Looking Good
Like many wedding mornings, everyone kept checking the radar.
Maybe it would clear.
Maybe the storm would move around us.
Maybe we’d catch a break.
Instead, the rain intensified.
By the time portraits were scheduled, the weather was showing absolutely no signs of letting up.
I could see the concern on everyone’s faces.
The bride had spent months planning every detail.
The bridal party had beautiful dresses and perfectly styled hair.
Family members quietly hoped we would simply stay indoors.
Then I asked a simple question.
“What if we embrace the rain instead of hiding from it?”
The Secret to Incredible Rainy Wedding Photography
The biggest mistake couples make on rainy wedding days is believing the weather has ruined their photographs.
The truth is exactly the opposite.
Rain adds atmosphere.
Rain creates emotion.
Rain gives photographs a cinematic quality that simply cannot be recreated on a sunny afternoon.
The reflections become richer.
The colors become deeper.
The skies become dramatic.
Most importantly, couples stop worrying about perfection and start focusing on each other.
Those authentic moments are what great wedding photography is really about.
The Umbrellas Came Out
We gathered the bridal party.
Umbrellas opened.
The rain continued to pour.
Instead of rushing through portraits, everyone decided to have fun with it.
There was laughter.
There were jokes about soaked shoes.
There were bridesmaids trying to avoid puddles and groomsmen pretending they didn’t mind getting wet.
The energy completely changed.
Rather than fighting the weather, everyone embraced the adventure.
That’s when the magic started happening.
The Photograph I’ll Never Forget
Every wedding has one image that stays with a photographer forever.
For this wedding, it happened in the middle of the storm.
I asked the entire bridal party to toss their umbrellas into the air.
For a split second, nobody was worried about the rain.
Everyone was laughing.
Everyone was celebrating.
Umbrellas filled the sky.
The bride and groom stood in the middle of complete chaos, smiling from ear to ear.
Click.
One frame.
One unforgettable memory.
Years later, I still think about that photograph.
Not because it was technically difficult.
Not because the weather was extreme.
Because it perfectly captured the spirit of the day.
Joy always wins.
Rain Creates Authentic Memories
One of the funny things about weddings is that couples rarely remember every little detail.
Guests won’t remember exactly what time dinner was served.
They won’t remember every song the DJ played.
But they will remember the moments that were unexpected.
They will remember dancing in the rain.
They will remember sharing umbrellas.
They will remember the laughter.
Those are the stories families tell for decades.
Why Weather Should Never Dictate Your Wedding Day
I’ve heard couples say they are afraid their wedding photographs will be ruined if it rains.
I always tell them this story.
The weather is only one small part of your wedding day.
Your marriage does not begin because the sun was shining.
It begins because you are surrounded by the people you love most.
A great photographer doesn’t simply document perfect conditions.
A great photographer adapts.
Some of my favorite images throughout my career have happened because we were forced to think creatively.
Rain often pushes everyone to slow down and focus on what really matters.
Brooklake Country Club Is Perfect for Unpredictable Weather
One reason this wedding worked so well is because Brooklake Country Club offers beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces. Couples can enjoy lakeside views while knowing there are elegant alternatives if Mother Nature has different plans. The combination of scenic grounds and sophisticated interiors allows photographers to create beautiful imagery no matter what the forecast brings. (Brooklake Events)
As photographers, having options matters.
As couples, having peace of mind matters even more.
Tips for Couples Planning a Rainy Wedding Day
After photographing many weddings, here are a few things I always recommend.
Trust Your Photographer
We’ve likely photographed rainy weddings before and know how to create beautiful images.
Buy Clear Umbrellas
They allow more light and keep faces visible while still protecting everyone from the weather.
Build Extra Time Into Your Schedule
Rain can slow things down slightly, and having flexibility keeps the day relaxed.
Don’t Stress About Your Hair or Dress
The candid moments often become your favorite photographs.
Embrace the Adventure
The more you lean into the experience, the more authentic your images will feel.
Looking Back After All These Years
I’ve photographed many incredible weddings since that rainy day at Brooklake Country Club.
Beautiful sunsets.
Luxury ballrooms.
Perfect spring afternoons.
Yet this wedding still stands out.
Not because everything went according to plan.
Because it didn’t.
The bride and groom made a decision that changed the entire day.
They chose joy over frustration.
They chose laughter over stress.
They chose memories over perfection.
And in doing so, they created photographs that could never be duplicated.
Your Wedding Day Is Bigger Than the Weather
If you’re planning a wedding at Brooklake Country Club and you’re worried about the forecast, remember this.
Rain doesn’t ruin weddings.
Attitude does.
Some of the most beautiful wedding photographs ever created happened under cloudy skies and falling rain.
The weather may shape your story.
But it never gets to write the ending.
Many years later, I still remember standing in the rain with that incredible couple and their amazing bridal party, watching umbrellas fly through the air and hearing everyone laugh.
It was wet.
It was chaotic.
It was completely unpredictable.
And it was absolutely epic.
If you’re planning your own wedding at Brooklake Country Club and want photographs that tell the real story of your day—whether the skies are blue or the rain is pouring—I would love to help you create memories that will last a lifetime.
NJ wedding photographers
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It's safe to say that Emily and Brad are my type of couple. They're both laid back, they just go with the flow and not afraid to try something different. Well on this day we did just that. Rain was in the forecast for the entire day, something that may worry many brides but not this one. I always tell my couples to let the day come to us and we will document it as we see it. Rain to this wedding was similar to zombies to the Walking Dead series. With so much going on, it was nothing but a back story. I for one don't mind when it rains, it allows me to think out of the box a bit more. Emily got ready at her parents house then headed to church to complete the task at hand. Brad was all fun and games all day long. Nervous? Nah...not this guy. Their ceremony was beautiful and went off without a hitch. We then headed to Cross Estate Gardens in Basking Ridge, NJ for some wet weather photos! Typically I don't believe in asking my bridal parties for super cheese-tastic poses, I like to keep it simple as I know taking photos is not what they want to be doing. Well on this day, I came up with an idea on the way to the location as you'll see below. I'm pretty sure they weren't big fans of mine at the moment I took this shot, but I loved the way it came out and I hope they did to :). We then took Emily and Brad and headed into the gardens for some romantic and moody photos. After a few minutes we headed back for the reception, and what a wild reception it was. From the emotional parent dances to Brad doing a pretty solid WORM...it was an awesome party. Weddings at the Brooklake Country Club are always beautiful. The staff is amazing and the grounds are gorgeous. At the end of the day, these two crazies were married and thats all that counts! I hope everyone enjoys the photos!Special thanks to my second photographer for the day, Elizabeth Polo. Enjoy this rainy wedding at the Brooklake Country Club by New Jersey Wedding Photographer Delgado Studios. I am a fine art and documentary wedding photographer based out of Middletown, NJ. Currently I am servicing all of New Jersey, New York City and Pennsylvania.