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Where can I find an indoor location for the photo shoot?


“Help, it’s going to rain! And we haven’t found an indoor location for the photo shoot yet.” We hear this quite often and that’s why we would like to give you some tips, so you don’t fall into this trap. The tricky thing with rain is that you have to reckon with a totally different setting than you imagined all along.

Still, with a little preparation, you can avoid nasty surprises. And that’s why in this blog post we’ll show you how to find an indoor venue. Helpful tips from a wedding photographer.

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1. A bright indoor location with large windows, such as an old monastery, a museum, or a stately mansion.

Also consider an empty greenhouse or orangery. Karlijn and Ramon for example had found a very nice photogenic orangery in Dordrecht for their wedding shoot and even though it was quite dry on their day, we made good use of it! Greenhouses and orangeries come in all shapes and sizes, and you’ll find them most often on estates and around castles.

Groom stands inside during rainy photo shoot.
Bridal couple in a greenhouse during rainy shoot.

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2. An indoor location for the wedding photos that means something to you, such as a restaurant, cafe or the cinema.

Do you know a nice location where you come more often? This could just be a prime location!

Outside it's cold, inside photoshoot beautiful location Dordrecht.
Sample photo indoor location can be beautiful on rain wedding day.
Wedding Photography-Dordrecht-By Rain Energy House

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For example, with Linda and Leon’s photo shoot we went to the Energiehuis in Dordrecht. A location where you have to make a reservation and then you can photograph there quite undisturbed. Then when you end the shoot with a nice cappuccino or mint tea, at Khotinsky, everyone is happy.

3. A (run-down) industrial photo location such as the Metal Cathedral.

For example, the photo below was taken at the Metal Cathedral. You do need to book this location in advance.

De Metaal Kathedraal as an industrial photo location.
Artis Amsterdam with large windows and industrial vintage look.

The one above was made at Artis (above). Unfortunately, this location is no longer available.

De Metaal Kathedraal for your indoor photo shoot when it rains.

The photo above at De Metaal Kathedraal.

Dramatic light in De Metaal Kathedraal.
Indoor location photo shoot at your wedding-5

The Metaal Kathedraal, near Utrecht, is also a beautiful location. And not because it was going to rain tremendously on this wedding day, but more so because the location is just too crazy in itself. We would like to use Dordt Yard Dordrecht again and Radio Kootwijk near Apeldoorn (hinthinthint!).

The downside to these types of locations, however, is that you often have to pay. Someone has to open the doors especially for you and that just costs money. Think of amounts from 50 to 200 euros. But then again, that keeps the location nice and exclusive of course.

4. Simply use your own photogenic wedding venue as an indoor location.

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Photo shoot inside during rain.

Be flexible

Virtually no one imagines rain at their wedding. Well, unless you are getting married in the middle of winter of course. But actually, rain at your wedding doesn’t have to be a problem at all. If you are flexible yourself and just focus on your soon-to-be, your guests and the wonderful events of the day, the photos will really work out.

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At the wedding venue?

Sometimes an indoor location for the photo shoot is hugely photogenic in itself. For example, a few years back we had a wedding at Hotel Merlet and when it turned out it was going to rain all afternoon we decided to just do the shoot here.

We grabbed our video light and flash and got to work on this bride and groom. First in their super hip bridal suite (see below) and later in the hotel lobby and bar. And actually, we were secretly immensely proud of the result.

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Keep in mind space

For indoor shoots, it’s helpful when you have a little bit of space. A narrow corridor is trickier to use than a wide staircase with statues and insane wood ornaments. Venues such as Rhederoord, Landgoed Waterland and the Amstel Hotel work great, but if you are currently getting married somewhere else: your wedding venue is bound to be suitable as well.

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5. You can also use the bridal suite in advance if it turns out to be raining outside.

This bride and groom wanted to take photos inside anyway because they had such a unique bridal suite, and they were absolutely right. Bridal suites often have large windows and are often beautifully and stylishly decorated. Or perhaps just a little more extremenly decorated than you’re normally used to and, precisely because of that, hugely enjoyable for a few photos. In addition, they are often the largest rooms in the hotel and so you have plenty of space. In short: lots of possibilities.

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6. A covered indoor location for the photo shoot, such as under a bridge, overpass, or gate.

And another option is just to use umbrellas or other things that stop the rain. Small verandas, an overhanging balcony or simply a bridge. As long as it stops rain, it’s usable. For the above photo, we used the pedestrian tunnel at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Simple and effective.

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In any case, you can always take a few photos with your cell phone, tablet or camera and send them to your wedding photographer. That way, he (or she) can already check if the location will work for you. Have fun in the meantime! And if you have any other fun or beautiful indoor locations, let us know in the comments.

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