2025 has brought some exciting photo and video trends that are set to soar in 2026. Couples and creatives are embracing cinematic approaches to capture weddings in a way that feels authentic, editorial, and full of personality. From dreamy blurred motion and bold direct flash to nostalgic vintage film emulation and striking editorial-style compositions, these trends are reshaping how wedding days are captured.
Gone are the days of purely posed shots — today’s photo and video trends focus on storytelling, emotion, and unforgettable moments that feel both modern and timeless. From intimate, behind-the-scenes moments to grand, statement-making visuals, these wedding photography trends and wedding video trends reflect a desire for storytelling, energy, and artistry. Today’s weddings aren’t just about poses and formalities — they’re about capturing the emotion, personality, and unforgettable moments that make each day truly unique.
Below, we’ve rounded up the top photography and film trends couples are loving now — and that are set to shape wedding imagery in the year ahead, and beyond.
Wedding Photo and Video Trends to Watch in 2025 & 2026
The Cake Cutting Comeback
What it is: The classic cake-cutting moment, once considered old-fashioned, is back — and bigger than ever. Couples are reinventing it with theatrical touches like cake pours, towering croquembouches, whopper mille-feuilles, and other statement dessert displays. No longer just a quick photo-op, it has now become a centerpiece of the reception.
Why it’s trending: Weddings are embracing spectacle and shared experiences, and the cake cutting has evolved into an Instagram-worthy moment. Guests love the drama, while couples appreciate how it blends tradition with a sense of theatre, making it a highlight of the day.
The Vintage Revival
What it is: A photography and videography style that mimics the look of classic film — think soft grain, muted tones, light leaks, and subtle imperfections. Photographers and videographers either shoot on actual film cameras or use digital edits to recreate the nostalgic aesthetic. The result is timeless, romantic images that feel like heirlooms.
Why it’s trending: Couples are leaning into nostalgia and artistry, craving images that feel less “perfect” and more soulful. With the rise of analog culture (vinyl, Polaroids, disposable cameras, Super 8 video), film-inspired wedding photography and videography taps into that same desire for authenticity and permanence. It’s also a stylish counterpoint to hyper-polished digital styles.
The Getaway Car
What it is: Romantic, cinematic shots and captures of the couple leaving in a statement vehicle — from vintage classics to quirky or luxe cars. Photographers capture them driving away, leaning out the window, or sharing a kiss through the windshield, creating a cinematic, storybook moment.
Why it’s trending: The classic exit is being reinvented as a bold, stylish statement. Couples are choosing distinctive vehicles to add personality and drama, blending old Hollywood romance with a modern, editorial flair.
Seated Style (Vogue/Tatler Style)
What it is: Formal, high-fashion portraits where the couple — or sometimes the entire wedding party — sit elegantly, often with serious expressions. Inspired by glossy magazine spreads, these shots channel timeless glamour with dramatic lighting, structured poses, and impeccable styling.
Why it’s trending: Couples are drawn to how regal and editorial these images feel compared to traditional smiling portraits. Perfect for fashion-forward couples want portraits that feel aspirational, striking, and editorial — more like art than a traditional wedding photo.
The Champagne Tower Shot
What it is: There’s something undeniably Gatsby about the champagne tower. Whether it’s a glamorous stacked champagne tower, photographers are capturing the drama of the cascade, the sparkling reactions of guests, and playful, celebratory moments. It’s a chic alternative to the traditional cake-cutting shot and creates images that radiate joy, luxury, and a party-ready vibe. This will be a serious bougie photo to share with the grandkids!
Why it’s trending: This 1920s-inspired trend is back with force. Couples are embracing statement moments that feel both fun and editorial. The champagne tower combines spectacle with interaction, serving as both a striking photo backdrop and a lively party moment. It allows photographers to capture high-energy, glamorous images that radiate joy and luxury.
In Motion (Blurry Style)
What it is: Blur and movement are no longer considered mistakes — they’re intentional techniques to convey energy and emotion. Dance floor spins, champagne sprays, or even walking shots are captured with deliberate motion blur, giving images a dreamy, editorial edge while highlighting the feeling of the moment, not just the look.
Why it’s trending: Couples are moving away from perfectly posed photos, wanting images that capture the energy, spontaneity, and emotion of their day. The intentional blur adds a modern, editorial quality while preserving the authentic, lively spirit of the celebration.
Lifestyle Documentary Style
What it is: A candid, storytelling approach to photography and videography — documenting the day as it happens, including quiet moments, preparations, and offbeat details.
Why it’s trending: Modern couples are craving authenticity. This style captures the real energy and personality of the wedding in an editorial, film-like way.
Direct Flash
What it is: Direct flash photography, inspired by disposable cameras and early fashion paparazzi shots, is having a major moment. Bold, unfiltered, and full of energy, it gives a raw, nostalgic vibe. Perfect for reception and party images, it captures candid, “caught in the moment” scenes that stand out against softer, fine-art wedding photography. Great for receptions and late-night partying, giving images raw, nostalgic, and cinematic energy.
Why it’s trending: Couples love the mix of nostalgia and edge — these images feel spontaneous and real, while still being striking enough to belong in an editorial spread. It’s a playful, modern nod to the 90s aesthetic that adds personality and energy to a wedding gallery.
Cinema-Worthy Films
What it is: Couples are investing in cinematic wedding films that go beyond standard coverage, capturing their day like a feature film. From slow-motion dance floor moments to intimate vow exchanges, every shot is thoughtfully composed and beautifully edited. Drone footage adds sweeping aerial perspectives of the venue, cityscape, or landscape, creating a filmic record that feels polished, editorial, and larger-than-life.
Why it’s trending: With social media and streaming culture influencing expectations, couples want their wedding memories to feel cinematic and timeless. These films complement photography, offering a moving, editorial-style narrative of the day that’s shareable and keepsake-worthy.
Late Night Shots
What it is: Once the formalities are over, couples are prioritising late-night images that capture the unfiltered, wild side of the celebration — sparklers, barefoot dancing, midnight snacks, last drinks at the bar. Photographers are also turning their lenses to the quieter details left behind: cake plates stacked up, heels kicked off, ties loosened, and accessories tossed to the side. These candid, often grittier images showcase the authentic, after-dark vibe of the wedding.
Why it’s trending: Couples increasingly want their wedding galleries to tell the whole story — not just the polished, picture-perfect moments, but also the messy, joyful reality of how the night unfolded. These shots feel authentic, nostalgic, and fun, giving couples a true sense of what it was like to be there right until the very end.
The Bridal Suite
What it is: Couples are sneaking away from the main celebration for a few stolen moments together in their suite — often later in the evening or after the party winds down. Photographers capture this with an intimate, editorial feel: soft light, glamorous outfits, luxe textures, and a moodier, more sensual vibe than the daytime portraits.
Why it’s trending: After a high-energy day surrounded by guests, couples crave a quiet space to reconnect — and they love having photos that show the romantic, behind-closed-doors side of the wedding. It’s also becoming an after-party trend, with couples using the suite for outfit changes, a quiet toast, or a few final portraits to close out the day.
Blue Hour Photography
What it is: Blue hour photography captures that magical window of twilight, just before sunrise or right after sunset, when the sky glows in soft, moody blues.
Why it’s trending: All over Pinterest boards and wedding inspo feeds, couples are falling for its cinematic, dreamlike quality. The atmospheric light adds intimacy and nostalgia, turning even the simplest smile or embrace into a work of art.
Wedding Content Creators
What it is: A wedding content creator is a dedicated professional who captures behind-the-scenes footage, reels, TikTok-ready clips sand iPhone-style content for social sharing.
Why it’s trending: Hiring a dedicated wedding content creator (separate from the photographer or videographer) is one of the biggest shifts we’ve seen in weddings in years. Couples love having both polished professional images and fun, social-first content they can share instantly, rather than waiting weeks for their gallery. It complements traditional photography by capturing a more candid, behind-the-scenes perspective of the day — the kind of moments that feel real, relaxed, and ready-made for Instagram or TikTok.
Want to bring these trends to life in your wedding album? Explore our recommended wedding photographers and videographers who know exactly how to capture the magic.
