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Top 10 Photography Wedding Trends for 2025 and 2026

Weddings in 2025 and 2026 bring a fresh look with couples choosing highly personalized details that capture their unique stories. This year's trends embrace authenticity and creativity—from stunning destination weddings to eco-friendly touches and candid photography that goes beyond the traditional. Discover the top wedding trends of 2025 that are making celebrations memorable and meaningful.



 
Happy wedding photo bride and groom with guests surrounding them

1. True Color Editing - The art of true color editing is becoming a defining trend in wedding photography for 2025. This approach prioritizes the natural beauty of the scene, focusing on accurate skin tones and true-to-life color representation. It’s about capturing the moment as it really is, without any over-saturation or artificial enhancement. The result is a wedding album that feels fresh, vibrant, and timeless, where the colors reflect the emotional essence of the day, preserving the atmosphere exactly as the couple experienced it. This trend speaks to a desire for authenticity, creating wedding photos that are as real as the emotions they capture.


2. Destination Weddings - Couples are increasingly opting for destination weddings, embracing unique locations for their big day. From sun-soaked beaches to breathtaking mountain backdrops, destination weddings offer a chance to create truly one-of-a-kind memories. These weddings are perfect for couples looking to combine their celebration with a travel adventure, providing stunning photography opportunities that capture both the couple’s love and the beauty of their chosen destination. Whether it’s a romantic elopement in a European city or a tropical affair, destination weddings are becoming a sought-after choice for couples in 2025. A destination that stands out in 2025 is Copenhagen: this charming city offers a picturesque backdrop with historic architecture, beautiful canals, and lush gardens. Copenhagen is also known for its straightforward marriage process, making it a top choice for couples seeking a stress-free, legally simple destination wedding in Europe. Whether it’s an intimate elopement in Copenhagen’s scenic Tivoli Gardens or a waterfront celebration, destination weddings provide couples with stunning photo opportunities that capture their love and the beauty of their chosen locale.


3. Non-Traditional Wedding Parties - The concept of the wedding party is evolving in 2025, with more couples opting for non-traditional wedding parties. This can include mixed-gender bridal parties, children playing key roles, or even pets making an appearance in photos. The focus is on celebrating relationships in all their forms, reflecting the individuality of each couple’s story. These new, diverse choices allow for more creativity and personalization in wedding photography, as each group is unique in its composition and dynamics. Non-traditional wedding parties also allow photographers to capture authentic, joyful moments that feel more genuine and relaxed.


4. Micro Weddings and Intimate Photography - Micro weddings are continuing to gain traction in 2025. These intimate ceremonies, often with only a handful of guests, allow couples to focus on meaningful interactions and personal connections rather than large crowds. For photographers, micro weddings present an opportunity to document the day in a more personal, emotional way. The shift toward intimate weddings also means that intimate photography will become even more important. Couples are seeking photos that capture raw, genuine moments—the quiet exchanges, the soft glances, and the powerful emotions that larger weddings may not provide. With fewer people and fewer distractions, photographers can create a deeper narrative through each image.


5. Pre-Wedding and Post-Wedding Shoots - Many couples are opting for pre-wedding and post-wedding shoots as an extension of their photography experience. These shoots provide an opportunity to capture moments that may not fit into the wedding day timeline. A pre-wedding shoot can be an opportunity for couples to connect and get comfortable with their photographer before the big day, while post-wedding shoots give couples a chance to relive the magic of their celebration in a more relaxed setting. These additional sessions offer a broader range of images for the wedding album and allow for more creativity, whether it’s capturing the couple in a dreamy location or experimenting with different lighting.


6. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Photography - As sustainability becomes a central concern for many couples, eco-friendly photography practices are taking center stage. From digital-only packages to eco-conscious albums and print options, couples are seeking wedding photographers who align with their environmental values. This trend also extends to the way photographers conduct their business, with many choosing to reduce waste, use sustainable materials, or even travel in eco-friendly ways. The move toward sustainable wedding photography is not only about reducing carbon footprints but also about creating a wedding experience that feels mindful and in tune with nature, contributing to a more environmentally responsible industry.


7. Editorial-Style Portraits - Editorial - style portraits are gaining popularity in wedding photography as couples lean towards a more sophisticated, high-fashion look for their photos. These images go beyond simple posed portraits, using dramatic lighting, creative compositions, and striking backdrops to create photos that look like they belong in the pages of a magazine. Editorial-style photography adds a touch of glamour and sophistication, elevating the overall feel of the wedding album. These photos capture the couple’s elegance and beauty in a way that feels both dramatic and timeless, allowing them to feel like stars on their special day.


8. Black-and-White Photography - Black-and-white photography is making a triumphant return in 2025, thanks to its timeless, emotive qualities. This style focuses on raw emotion, emphasizing expressions and gestures that might be overlooked in full-color images. Without the distraction of color, black-and-white photography allows for a more profound connection with the moment. Whether it’s the intimate embrace of the couple or the joy shared with loved ones, black-and-white images have the power to evoke a deep emotional response. Couples today are choosing black-and-white photography for its ability to create images that are both classic and emotionally evocative.


9. Social Media Short Videos - With the increasing dominance of social media, short videos, including Reels, GIFs, and short loops, have become essential to modern wedding photography. These bite-sized videos allow couples to relive the excitement of their wedding day in an interactive, shareable format. Whether it’s a slow-motion kiss, a dramatic first dance, or an emotional moment during the ceremony, these videos capture the dynamic energy of the day. Wedding photographers are incorporating more video content into their packages to ensure couples can share their memories across social platforms and engage their audiences in a fun, creative way.


10. Emphasis on Candid, Unposed Shots - In 2025, the demand for candid, unposed shots is stronger than ever. Couples no longer want to rely on stiff, traditional poses but instead want to see themselves and their loved ones in authentic, unfiltered moments. These photos capture the natural joy and emotion of the day—whether it’s a tearful moment between the bride and her father or an unscripted dance with friends. By focusing on spontaneous, real moments, photographers can create a wedding album that feels truly personal and reflective of the couple’s unique journey.


What’s Not Trending in 2025?

  1. Overly Staged Poses - The trend towards highly staged, formal poses is fading fast. Couples today prefer images that feel natural, relaxed, and genuine, shying away from rigidly arranged shots. The idea is to capture the real moments, not just the polished ones.

  2. Heavy Use of Filters - The overuse of filters that dramatically alter the color and tone of photos is also waning. Couples are moving towards authentic, unaltered images that reflect the true beauty of their day. Over-filtering can lead to photos that feel artificial, whereas natural editing highlights the raw emotion and beauty of each moment.

  3. Extravagant Weddings with Over-the-Top Details - The shift towards micro weddings and smaller, more intimate celebrations is pushing extravagant, over-the-top weddings into the background. Couples today are more focused on meaningful connections rather than impressing large groups with lavish displays. This shift is reflected in a preference for personal, meaningful details over flashy, extravagant elements.


 

Wedding photography in 2025 is all about authenticity, creativity, and emotional depth. With the rise of trends like true color editing, editorial portraits, and eco-friendly practices, couples are looking for photos that reflect their unique stories and values. Whether it’s through black-and-white imagery, intimate photography, or social media short videos, the key to successful wedding photography is capturing the genuine, emotional moments that make each couple’s day special. As the wedding industry continues to evolve, photographers who embrace these trends will be able to deliver wedding albums that not only meet the couple’s expectations but also create timeless memories that will last for years to come.

1 Comment


Maddy Smith
Maddy Smith
25 minutes ago

Excellent recommendations! Choosing the right editing company is crucial for wedding photographers. This article provides great insight into top companies that can help enhance photos while saving time.

https://www.wildernis.co/wedding-editing-outsourcing

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