2024 Wedding Photography Trends
The 2024 wedding trends are here! After the wedding insaneness of 2021 and 2022 things are changing a bit. 2023 was a weird year for many vendors (they’re calling it the engagement gap, look it up.) I personally had the best year ever in 2023 and that’s largely thanks to a lot of work I put in back in 2022. Anyway, enough of that — let’s take a look at what I predict we’ll be seeing more of in 2024. It is mostly photography related but I’ll slide in a few other wedding trends and traditions that I think we’re saying goodbye to!
See more: 2025 Wedding Photography Trends
Documentary Photography
This trend has been slowly making its way into the wedding world for the past year and I think it will finally blow up in 2024! Documentary-style photography is all about the organic moments and letting things flow naturally. This doesn’t necessarily mean no portraits, it just means that less time is spent on formal, stiff, and editorial portraits and focus is put on wedding day portrait sessions that are flowing, and full of movement.
Film Photography
Another one that’s been knocking on the door for the past few years. I definitely received more inquiries this year than last for film photography so I believe 35mm film photography will be trend hard in 2024! I’ve actually been shooting and developing film in my studio since 2014 so I welcome this one with open arms. Feel free to check out my wedding film photography page
Disposable Cameras
Speaking of film photography! Disposable cameras are making a comeback. My sister was married in 2001 and I remember her having disposable cameras on every table for guests to create candid pictures during the reception. I am soooo happy this one is back. Here’s how it works, every table gets one camera with 27 shots on it. The camera is super simple, it just has a shutter and a simple flash that must be on. Sometimes the table gets instructions on what to take a picture of. Think, get a photo of the best dancer or document a kiss between the bride and groom. This can also be framed as the I Spy game. Anyway, love this trend and hope it stays for a while!
The Private Last Dance
One of my favorites! Here’s what the private last dance at weddings is. You have your wedding reception, and then the DJ plays the last song. After the last song, all of your guests head outside (ideally to wait for you for your grand exit!) and you have a private last dance before jumping out into the night. I think this trend started getting traction on TikTok back in 2022 and I captured a good deal of these in 2023. I am sure we will see more of it in 2024. One thing to note is it works really well when you’re planning an exit, as it will be much easier to get all your tipsy guests out when you can tell them to prep for the exit.
Bubbles!
Whether you want to buy a bubble machine online or have your guests have individual bubble-blowing gizmos, bubbles are here! Sure, sparklers are the most popular wedding reception exit strategy but bubbles are way cooler, safer, and easier to set up. Just note, if you are going to get a bubble machine for your wedding reception exit, get at least two! There’s always wind outside and bubbles are pretty lightweight :)
Live Wedding painting
I am all for adding more artists to the beautiful flora of wedding vendors. This year I had the privilege of working with a few live wedding painters and it was truly eye opening to see them start and finish a large scale canvas portrait in just a few hours with a wedding reception going on! The painters can capture moments on their phone or tablet that they work from or get a picture from the photographer.
Saying your vows in private
This one goes out to all my introverted friends! If standing in front of hundreds of people while saying your vows feels like a lot then this 2024 wedding trend is for you! Here’s how I saw it executed this past year.
Immediately after a first look
The couple stand on either side of a door an recite their vows
Same thing, except holding hands. Same can be done across as corner
The couple reads by themselves in private 15 minutes to the ceremony
What’s on the way out?
The thing about trends and weddings is that they move really slow. It’s nothing like social media or fast fashion. Think about it — you see something you like and would love to incorporate that into your wedding day. That might have been shot at a wedding that happened a year ago and was just published. That’s how slow trends move in weddings. Here are a three trends that I definitely noticed less of in 2023.
hashtags
When Instagram became popular in the early 2010s — it became popular to create unique hashtags and ask you guests to snap and post photos to that particular hashtag so the couple could have photos from the guests’ perspective. Instagram has changed, people are more conscious about what they post and try to keep a certain vibe to their grid. A blurry phone pictures might not fit well in your grid + the couple will unlikely go back and look at them anyway. Also, you can easily print out a few QR codes for a personal gallery around your reception for guests to upload to.
The Garter toss
I’ve been wishing this one out for a while now and although I saw it a few times in 2023 — I predict we’ll see it fade out in to the darkness. Hoping it will never come back. Bye!
So… that’s it! Feel free to leave a comment if you think there’s a trend here that I missed. Cheers!