Wedding Trends I Actually LOVE as a Wedding Photographer
As an Atlanta wedding photographer, I witness wedding trends come and go in real-time, and let me tell you, the evolution of the wedding industry thus far has been chef's kiss. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter ceremonies and receptions. Today, couples are infusing their wedding days with personality, intentionality, and a whole lot of style - all things that make my heart sing. Whether you’re planning a romantic garden affair or a chic downtown wedding in Atlanta, these trending elements are transforming weddings from beautiful events to unforgettable experiences.
Colorful Wedding Palettes
Can we talk about how absolutely refreshing it is to see couples embracing bold, vibrant color palettes? I'm talking sunset oranges paired with fuchsia, deep emerald greens, and this year's latest uptick in butter yellow. The shift away from the sea of blush, ivory, and sage that dominated the wedding scene for years has been one of my favorite things to see in the industry. There’s something so joyful about photographing weddings that incorporate such tasteful pops of color. Keyword: tasteful. Infusing rich, saturated hues into your wedding color palette creates depth and dimension that sometimes neutral palettes have a hard time achieving. Color tells a story; it conveys energy, emotion, and personality in a way that can oftentimes be hard to mimic with some traditional neutral color palettes. Now, that’s not to say neutrals are out because they are very much still IN, but what I’m saying is don’t be afraid to be a little bold.
How to incorporate a colorful wedding palette:
If a colorful wedding palette is something that interests you for your wedding, here are some tactful ways of incorporating it. First, you can start by choosing 2-3 main colors that speak to you. Colors that you genuinely love, though, not what Pinterest says is trending. Work with your florist to incorporate these hues into your bouquets, centerpieces, and ceremony decor. Don’t be afraid to bring color into other areas of your wedding as well, such as linens, your cake, glassware, or even your wedding shoes!
A notable mention when thinking about curating a more bold and colorful palette for your wedding day is to consider the season and the venue. A Summer wedding may lean more towards bright and vibrant pinks and greens, while a Fall wedding could have you leaning towards rich burgundies and deep olives. Ultimately, the key is to choose colors that make you excited and inspire you!
Outfit Changes
If there's one trend that has me absolutely obsessed right now, it's incorporating a head-turning outfit change. Whether it’s a bride changing into an evening dress for dancing, or a groom swapping out his tuxedo jacket, these outfit changes just add an extra layer of personality that wedding photographers LIVE for. That moment when a bride re-enters the reception in a chic mini dress or jumpsuit? Pure MAGIC. It's like getting to photograph two different weddings in one day, and it often coincides with a shift in energy. From a formal ceremony to party mode, which is so fun to capture! I've also noticed that couples are often more relaxed and playful in their second looks, which translates to more candid, genuine moments through the remainder of the night.
Not only are outfit changes fun, they are also practical. We love a two-for-one moment here at SPC. While stunning, most wedding gowns aren’t exactly designed to do get low on the dance floor. A second outfit allows brides to actually enjoy their reception without having to worry about bustles, trains, or delicate fabrics. You are able to better preserve your wedding dress, move freely, and party without constantly having to think about your dress.
How to incorporate a seamless outfit change:
Timing is everything with outfit changes. I typically recommend making the switch right after dinner and formal dances, but before the dance floor really gets going. This gives you the best of both worlds, aka traditional portraits in your ceremony attire and party photos in your reception look.
Something to also consider is coordinating with your partner so that you’re both changing at the same time. It creates a fun “re-entrance” moment that guests (and you) will love! It’s also important to remember that second outfits do not have to break the bank. Many brides opt for shorter versions of wedding dresses, vintage finds, or white jumpsuits. The key when picking out a second outfit for the night is choosing something that still feels elevated and special. Go big or go home, am I right?
Elevated Cocktail Hours
Cocktail hours have evolved from simple wine-and-cheese affairs to full-blown experiences, and I am absolutely here for it. We're seeing couples invest in creating memorable cocktail hours with upscale appetizers, signature cocktails, live music, and interactive elements that set the stage for an incredible reception.
From the perspective of a documentary wedding photographer, elevated cocktail hours provide so many beautiful moments to capture. Guests mingling with beautiful craft cocktails, the details of a well-curated appetizer spread, and the joy on everyone’s faces add so much depth to your overall wedding experience. Getting to relive these moments is what makes documenting your day just that much more special. Many couples nowadays cherish the importance of a quality elevated cocktail hour. This shift in the wedding industry has allowed photographers to be able to capture more candid guest interactions and the beautiful in-between moments.
One of the many reasons why couples choose to elevate their overall cocktail hour experience stems from the guest experience. While it is your wedding day after all, many couples want their guests to enjoy the experience just as much as they do. An elevated cocktail hour can do just that. Secondly, having your cocktail hour well thought out and planned allows you to have less stress, especially if you’re planning on sneaking away for some portraits post-ceremony. Happy guests = happy couple.
How to create an elevated cocktail hour experience:
Creating a memorable cocktail hour does not have to be hard, but it does have to be intentional. You can do this in a few different ways; one of them is having open communication with your caterer to have a menu that is beyond your traditional menu. Curating a menu that not only rings true to you as a couple also can be delicious but also absolutely memorable. Signature cocktails are also another great way to showcase your personalities as a couple. Also, going above and beyond for entertainment can also be another great way for your guests to stay entertained beyond just a regular DJ. Some examples are a live caricature artist, live musicians, etc. These small adjustments can make a world of difference when it comes to creating an elevated cocktail hour and a great and memorable experience for you and your guests.
Editorial Portraits with the Newlyweds
Recently (and excitingly), there has been a shift towards couples prioritizing editorial-style portraits, and I have to say, I couldn’t be happier. As someone who loves to get creative on the wedding day, having couples who trust the process is a sure-fire way to get photos you swoon over. We’re talking intentional portrait time, unique locations, and images that WOW.
A reason many couples love incorporating editorial-style portraits into their day is that it gives them that truly elevated look. Instead of rushing through traditional poses, we’re creating art. We not only take into consideration lighting and composition, but also movement and emotion that ultimately give you frame-worthy photos.
In our digital age, where everyone has a smartphone, editorial portraits are what truly set your gallery apart. These are the images you'll want blown up in your home and the photos that will still feel timeless decades from now.
tips to prep for your editorial-style portraits on your wedding day:
If editorial style portraits are a must have for you, anticipate building time into your timeline, at least 30-45 minutes, for your portraits. This gives us the opportunity to not rush through your portraits and instead focus on intentionality. Equally as important is location. We want to ensure that there are plenty of photo-worthy spots throughout your venue that will help give us the end results that we are pining over.
If you feel as if your venue offers a different look than what you are going for your portraits, consider booking a separate bridal session where we pick a different location and focus solely on bridal portraits. These are sometimes the most fun to do, without the pressure of the rest of your wedding day timeline!
Lastly, trust in your wedding photographer's vision. In order to get those stunning editorial portraits, it’s important to be able to be willing to try different poses and concepts that may step slightly outside of your comfort zone. However, let me tell you that these small sacrifices come with insanely big (and beautiful) rewards.
Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses
We have officially entered the era of not forcing your bridesmaids to wear identical dresses. Instead, we have entered into mismatched dresses territory - which is such a fun place to be. This trend has slowly but surely become one of my favorite things to see, and let me tell you why. It’s visually captivating, and when done well, thought out, it creates depth and dimension and allows each individual person's style to shine through while still looking cohesive. Keywords to take away from here: cohesive and complementary.
Mismatched bridesmaids' dresses allow for your bridesmaids' personality and style to really shine through. Practically speaking, it also solves the age-old problem of finding one dress that looks good on different body types, skin tones, and personal preferences. Everyone feels beautiful and gets to choose a dress that is within their color palette, but also makes them feel the most confident. It’s truly a win-win!
How to seamlessly incorporate mismatched bridesmaids' dresses:
The key to successful mismatched bridesmaids is establishing clear parameters. Choose one element as your constant. This might be a specific color palette, a particular fabric, or the same designer. From there, you are giving guidelines to your bridesmaids, so it still fits your wedding theme but allows them to have a little bit more confidence and freedom in choosing what they can wear on your big day.
TRends i am loving in the wedding industry
The evolution of wedding trends toward more personality, more intention, and more creative expression is making my job as a wedding photographer so exciting. Whether you're embracing all of these trends or just a few elements that resonate with you, the key is making choices that authentically reflect who you are as a couple.
Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate your love story in a way that feels distinctly yours. Colorful palettes, second outfits, elevated experiences, editorial portraits, and mismatched bridal parties are all tools in your wedding planning toolkit. Use the ones that speak to you and ignore the rest. Here's to weddings that are as colorful, joyful, and unique as the couples celebrating them. I can't wait to see what you create!
