10 Trending Types of Wedding Photography in the UK
Weddings are a once-in-a-lifetime event, and capturing those precious moments is paramount. With the evolution of photography, there are now numerous styles to choose from, each offering a unique perspective on your special day.
We'll delve into ten trending types of wedding photography in the UK, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of each, along with practical examples.
Let's dive in!
1. Film Wedding Photography
Film photography is a classic approach that brings a touch of nostalgia to your wedding photos. Using analogue cameras and film rolls, wedding photographers capture images that have a distinct grainy texture, rich colours, and a timeless feel.
Imagine a sepia-toned photograph of a bride, her veil flowing in the wind, with the sun setting in the background. The graininess of the film adds depth and character to the image, making it a cherished keepsake.
Key Features
Vintage and timeless appeal: Film photography evokes memories of yesteryears. It's like flipping through your grandparents' wedding album, where each wedding photo tells a story from a bygone era.
Unique grainy texture: Unlike digital photos, film captures images with a natural grain. This texture adds depth, making each wedding photo feel raw and authentic.
Rich and deep colours: Film captures colours in a rich and vibrant manner, giving photos a warm and nostalgic hue.
Requires skilled photographers: Not every photographer can handle film. It demands expertise in handling and developing film rolls.
Offers a tangible product: With film, you get physical negatives, which can be a keepsake in itself.
Perfect for couples seeking a retro vibe: If you're looking to recreate a vintage-themed wedding, film photography is your best bet.
2. Sikh Wedding Photography
Sikh weddings, known as 'Anand Karaj', are vibrant and deeply spiritual. Sikh wedding photography focuses on capturing the essence of the ceremonies, the joy of the families, and the rich traditions that are integral to the Sikh community.
A photograph capturing the groom arriving on a horse, surrounded by dancing relatives, or the solemn moment when the couple takes their 'laavaan' vows — these are memories that will remain with the couple for a lifetime.
Key Features
Emphasis on rituals and traditions: Sikh weddings are filled with rituals. A photographer specialising in this will know when the 'laavaan' starts or when the 'ardaas' is recited, ensuring no moment is missed.
Vibrant and colourful imagery: From the bride's lehenga to the groom's turban, Sikh weddings are a burst of colours. The photos will reflect this vibrancy.
Captures both candid and posed moments: While rituals are essential, candid moments like laughter or tears make the wedding personal. A good Sikh wedding photographer captures both.
Highlights the spiritual aspects: The core of a Sikh wedding is spirituality. Photos will often feature the holy Guru Granth Sahib and other sacred elements.
Requires understanding of Sikh customs: It's not just about clicking pictures. Understanding the significance behind rituals is crucial.
Perfect for couples wanting comprehensive documentation: If you want every aspect of your Anand Karaj captured, this style is for you.
3. Military Wedding Photography
Military weddings are a harmonious blend of tradition, honour, and romance. The ceremonies are steeped in protocol, with the grandeur of the uniforms, the discipline of the ceremonies, and the personal moments amidst the formality taking centre stage. It's about capturing the essence of service, commitment, and love, all in one frame.
Imagine a grand hall adorned with military insignia. The groom, in his crisp military uniform adorned with medals, waits as the bride, in her elegant gown, walks down the aisle. The wedding photographers capture not just the couple but also the salutes, the ceremonial sword arch, and the respect and discipline that are hallmarks of a military wedding.
Key Features
Highlights the dignity and honour: Military weddings are about service and sacrifice. The photos will reflect the pride and honour associated with serving one's country.
Emphasis on uniforms and medals: The grandeur of military uniforms, with their badges and medals, becomes a focal point.
Captures the juxtaposition of formality and romance: While the ceremony might be formal, there are tender moments of love and joy that shine through.
Requires respect for military protocols: A photographer must be aware of when to capture moments without disrupting the ceremony.
Often includes grand and historic venues: Military weddings often take place in historic venues or military chapels, adding to the grandeur.
Perfect for couples proud of their military heritage: For those who have served or are serving, this style captures their unique journey.
4. Destination Wedding Photography
Like desired wedding photography style, destination wedding photography styles are about tying the knot in a dreamy, exotic locale. It's about combining the love story with the allure of travel, capturing memories against the backdrop of stunning landscapes or historic sites.
Think of a couple exchanging vows on a serene beach in Bali or amidst the historic ruins of Rome. The photographer not only captures the couple and their guests but also the essence of the location. It's like weaving a travelogue into a love story.
Key Features
Combines wedding and travel photography: It's not just about the couple; it's also about the destination. The photos tell a story of love and adventure.
Highlights the beauty of the destination: Whether it's a sunset on a beach or the snow-capped Alps, the location adds magic to the photos.
Requires versatile photographers: Changing weather, unfamiliar locations – a destination wedding photographer needs to be prepared for anything.
Captures candid moments and scenic beauty: From the couple exploring the locale to intimate moments against scenic backdrops, it's about capturing love in a beautiful setting.
Often includes pre-wedding and post-wedding shoots: The destination becomes a playground for unique wedding photo sessions.
Perfect for couples looking for a unique backdrop: If you want your wedding photos to stand out, a destination wedding offers unparalleled opportunities.
5. Traditional Wedding Photography
Traditional or vintage-style wedding photography is about capturing the essence of the day in a classic, timeless manner. It's a structured approach, ensuring that all significant moments, from the exchange of rings to the first dance, are immortalised.
Picture a series of photos that could fit seamlessly into any wedding album from the past few decades. The bride and groom posing with their families, the cutting of the cake, the first kiss – every moment is captured with precision and grace.
Key Features
Focus on posed shots and key moments: There's a checklist of 'must-have' shots that the photographer ensures are captured.
Timeless and classic: These photos stand the test of time, looking as relevant today as they would decades from now.
Requires a photographer with good organisational skills: With multiple family members and key events to capture, the photographer needs to be on their toes.
Often includes a list of 'must-have' shots: From the bride's entry to the couple's exit, every key moment is captured.
Emphasis on family and group photos: Traditional photography is about documenting not just the couple's journey but also the joining of two families.
Perfect for couples wanting a comprehensive record: If you want a detailed record of your day, this style ensures nothing is missed.
6. A La Carte Wedding Photography
A la carte wedding photography is all about personalisation. It breaks away from the traditional package-based approach, allowing couples to cherry-pick services that resonate with their vision. It's a buffet of options, ensuring that every couple gets exactly what they desire for their big day.
Consider a couple who wants a pre-wedding shoot in Paris but only desires coverage of the wedding ceremony in London, skipping the reception. They might also want a wedding photo booth for guests but no post-wedding shoot. A la carte allows them to customise their photography experience, ensuring they pay only for what they truly want.
Key Features
Highly customisable to suit individual needs: Couples aren't boxed into pre-defined packages. They have the freedom to choose what fits their vision.
Offers flexibility in pricing: By selecting only the services they want, couples can manage their budgets more effectively.
Can combine various styles of photography: Want a mix of film and digital? Or perhaps traditional and photojournalistic? A la carte allows such combinations.
Perfect for couples with specific requirements: It's tailor-made photography, ensuring every couple's unique needs are met.
Allows for a mix of candid and posed shots: Couples can decide the balance they want between spontaneous and structured shots.
Ideal for those who value personalisation: It's about making the photography experience truly your own.
7. Light and Airy Wedding Photography
Light and airy photography is like a breath of fresh air. It's characterised by soft tones, ethereal lighting, and a dreamy ambience. This style captures the romance and tenderness of the wedding, creating fairy-tale-like images that radiate love and joy.
Imagine a couple standing in a sunlit orchard, surrounded by blossoming flowers. The sunlight filters through, casting a soft glow on them. The resulting image is bright, romantic, and feels like it's straight out of a storybook.
Key Features
Soft and romantic imagery: The photos exude warmth, love, and a touch of whimsy.
Emphasis on natural light: Sunlight, especially during the golden hour, plays a pivotal role in this style.
Pastel tones and hues: The colour palette is soft, with muted tones that add to the dreamy feel.
Perfect for daytime and outdoor weddings: Gardens, beaches, and meadows are ideal venues for this style.
Gives a fairy-tale feel to the photographs: It's about capturing the magic of the day.
Ideal for couples seeking a whimsical touch: If you've always dreamt of a fairy-tale wedding, this style will bring that vision to life.
8. Fine Art Wedding Photography
Fine art wedding photography is where art meets love. It's about creating visually arresting images that aren't just photos but pieces of art- just like the aerial wedding photography style. Every shot is meticulously planned, with an emphasis on aesthetics, composition, and mood.
Envision a bride, her veil flowing with the wind, standing against a dramatic sky. The focus isn't just on her but also on the play of light, the movement of the veil, and the mood created by the surroundings. It's a photograph that could easily find its place in an art gallery.
Key Features
Artistic and visually appealing: Each photo is crafted with an artist's eye, ensuring it stands out.
Emphasis on composition and aesthetics: It's not just about capturing moments, but doing so beautifully.
Often uses unconventional angles and perspectives: Expect shots that are unique and break away from the norm.
Perfect for couples seeking a touch of artistry: If you value aesthetics and want your wedding photos to be unique, this style is for you.
Requires fine art wedding photographers with a keen eye for detail: It's about understanding light, composition, and mood.
Ideal for those valuing aesthetics over tradition: It's modern, fresh, and undeniably artistic.
9. Dark and Moody Wedding Photography
Just like contemporary wedding photography, dark and moody wedding photography is a style that thrives on drama, intensity, and deep emotions. It's a stark departure from the bright and airy styles, focusing instead on deeper tones, contrasts, and the raw, unfiltered emotions of the wedding day.
Imagine a couple in an old Gothic castle, the dim light casting shadows on the stone walls. The bride's white dress contrasts sharply with the dark backdrop, and the groom's intense gaze adds to the atmosphere. The resulting image is powerful, evocative, and brimming with emotion.
Key Features
Dramatic and intense imagery: This style captures the depth of emotions, from the passionate gaze of the couple to the tearful eyes of a parent.
Emphasis on deeper tones and contrasts: Expect rich blacks, deep shadows, and a play of light and dark that adds layers to each image.
Captures raw emotions: It's about documenting the wedding in its most authentic form, without sugar-coating or glossing over the intense moments.
Perfect for evening or indoor weddings: Dimly lit venues, candle-lit dinners, or twilight ceremonies complement this style perfectly.
Gives a cinematic feel to the photographs: Each photo feels like a still from a romantic movie, telling a story of love and passion.
Ideal for couples seeking a touch of drama: If you're looking for photos that evoke strong emotions and stand out, this style is for you.
10. Photojournalistic Wedding Photography
Photojournalistic wedding photography is inspired by the world of journalism, where the aim is to tell a story as it unfolds without interference or orchestration. It's about capturing the wedding in its most candid form, documenting genuine emotions, spontaneous moments, and the essence of the day.
Think of a photographer blending into the background, snapping away as events unfold. A candid shot of the bride laughing with her bridesmaids, an emotional father holding back tears, or the playful antics of children on the dance floor. It's about capturing the wedding as a series of unscripted moments, each telling a part of the larger story.
Key Features
Candid and unposed: This style thrives on spontaneity. There's minimal orchestration, and the focus is on capturing moments as they happen.
Tells the story of the day: From the nervous anticipation before the ceremony to the wild party at the reception, it's chronological documentation of the wedding.
Captures genuine emotions: Authenticity is key. Be it tears, laughter, or surprise, every emotion is captured in its purest form.
Requires a discreet photographer: The photographer acts almost like a fly on the wall, observing and capturing without intruding.
Perfect for couples who want a natural documentation: If posed shots aren't your thing and you want a true reflection of your day, this style is ideal.
Ideal for those who value authenticity: It's about keeping it real, capturing the essence of the wedding without any pretence.
Final Thoughts
Choosing among the popular wedding photography styles is more than just selecting a package; it's about finding a visual narrative that aligns with your personal love story. Each style, be it the nostalgic charm of film or the candid authenticity of photojournalism, offers a unique lens through which your special day is captured.
It's essential to remember that these photographs will be tangible memories you'll revisit, sharing stories with future generations. They'll be the reminders of the laughter, the tears, the intimate glances, and the joyous celebrations of your wedding day.
In a world constantly evolving with trends, it's crucial to choose a style that feels timeless to you. After all, years down the line, when you're nestled on a couch flipping through your wedding album, it's the emotions and memories that should flood back, making you relive those moments all over again.
So, as you embark on this beautiful journey of marital bliss, take a moment to reflect on how you want to remember this day. Choose a style that resonates, trust in your photographer, and most importantly, live in the moment. Because while photographs capture memories, it's the heartfelt moments that make them worth capturing.
Capture Your Moments with Take Two Wedding!
Your wedding day is a tapestry of emotions, moments, and memories. Why not ensure every thread is captured with perfection? At Take Two Wedding Photography, we don't just take pictures; we narrate your love story, one frame at a time.
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