How to Get Dreamy Wedding Photos on an Overcast, Windy Coast
- crgmoz
- Dec 31, 2025
- 3 min read
Planning a wedding on the Monterey Peninsula often involves a beautiful, unpredictable guest: the Pacific weather. For our couple's stunning coastal wedding at the historic Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove, we were met with classic Monterey conditions, heavy overcast skies, and brisk coastal winds.
While many brides worry that a lack of "golden hour" sun might ruin their gallery, a professional photographer sees these conditions as an opportunity for high-end, editorial results. Here is how we navigated the elements to ensure their day was captured perfectly.
First Challenge: Flat, Gray Light
When the sky is completely overcast, the world acts like one giant light source. While this is great for avoiding harsh shadows on faces, it can often make the background look "flat" or washed out in a traditional photograph.
The Solution: Leveraging Color and Texture To combat the gray sky, we leaned into the vibrant colors available on-site. Danelle’s incredible tropical bouquet, bursting with red anthuriums, ginger, and lush greenery, provided a necessary pop of color against the moody horizon. By positioning the couple against the deep greens of the Monterey Cypress trees and the red-capped tower of the Point Pinos Lighthouse, we created visual depth. Overcast light is actually a secret weapon for detail; it allows the intricate lace of a dress or the texture of a groom’s suit to pop without being blown out by harsh sunlight.
Second Challenge: The Constant Coastal Wind
A lighthouse wedding is beautiful precisely because of its exposed, rugged nature. However, high winds can feel like an enemy to veils, hair, and traditional "perfect" posing.
The Solution: Movie-Style Direction Rather than fighting the wind, we used it. I believe that true photography isn't about stiff, canned poses. It’s about seeing and feeling the genuine emotions at the exact moment the photo was taken. I prefer to direct, much like in a movie, rather than using traditional poses.
For our couple, I guided them into interactions where they could focus on each other, allowing the wind to catch the veil naturally, creating a cinematic, sweeping motion. I guide my couples as little as possible, creating a comfortable space where you can be yourselves. This allowed their natural connection to take center stage, making the wind feel like a romantic, intentional element of their story rather than an obstacle.
Third Challenge: Changing Environments
Moving from the breezy lighthouse exterior to the windy coastline to the interior shots at the reception requires a photographer who can instantly adjust technical settings to maintain a consistent "look" across the gallery.
The Solution: Mastery of Light and Storytelling Whether we were outside under the vast Pacific sky or inside against rustic wooden backdrops, my goal remained the same: capturing the feeling of the moment. By maintaining a consistent editing style, rich, true-to-life colors with a touch of warmth, the transition from one location to the next feels seamless.
Why Point Pinos Lighthouse?
As a local photographer based in Milpitas, I’m very familiar with the unique microclimates of the Monterey Bay area. The Point Pinos Lighthouse is a treasure for couples who want a mix of historical architecture and raw coastal beauty. It demands a photographer who can "read" the weather and adjust on the fly to focus on the love, not the temperature.
If you are worried about the weather for your coastal wedding, remember: the light you have is the right light. With the right direction and a photographer who knows how to solve for the elements, an overcast day at a place like Point Pinos can be even more romantic and "magical" than a clear one.
Planning a Monterey or Pacific Grove wedding? Let’s chat about how to capture your day, rain or shine.
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