The Wedding Photography Trends I Wish Would Stop
As a bridal designer, I adore seeing my gowns come to life on real brides—but some wedding photos make me want to hide behind a bolt of tulle. Call it controversial, call it picky, call it my designer brain switching into overdrive… but there are a few photo trends that do absolutely nothing for the dress, the bride, or the moment. Think of this as your insider guide to the shots that truly honour your dress, capture movement and emotion, and create the kind of images you’ll treasure forever. Let’s dive into the must-have photos that make every bridal look shine.
Can We Not? The Lonely Dangling Dress Shot
No shade to the photographers—they genuinely try to make this shot look artistic—but let’s be honest, it always ends up a bit naff. As I tell every bride who walks through our doors: wedding dresses are made to be worn, and they’re nothing without a gorgeous body in them. I even chose this particular example because the photographer is family, and I was literally in the background trying to help make it look interesting… but all I see is the ghost of wedding dresses past.
If you must have a picture of your dress hanging up here are my top tips. Hang it up somewhere with an interesting background or with something happening. If it is on a window be sure the curtains fit with your aesthetic. Or ask to just picture the small details of the dress bits that can get missed looking at the full picture. And my TOP TIP: Be in the photo with the dress! It is so much more interesting and captures an emotion and a moment if the bride is in the picture looking at the dress.
The Getting-Ready Shots Done Right
Getting-ready photos are such a beautiful part of the day and, when done right, can be captured perfectly. A few things to keep in mind: if your photos are being taken in the same room you’re getting ready in, make sure there’s a clean, tidy area reserved just for pictures. As much as we adore the tools and products MUAs and hair stylists use to make us look incredible, they’re not always the most aesthetic on camera.
The dress-fastening shots are always super cute, but try to avoid anything that feels stiff or forced—add a little laughter or movement, like a soft hair touch or flick, to keep it natural. And the fake shoe-fastening, earring- on and/or garter-on moments? Some of my absolute favourite getting-ready photos—they’re effortlessly chic every single time.
THe aisle edit
We all know the walk down the aisle delivers some of the most emotional photos of the entire day—it’s often the first time you and your partner see each other, you’re both looking incredible, and your entourage has already taken their seats. It’s just you, the moment, and that long walk… so how do you make sure you look amazing every step of the way—and when you reach the end?
Depending on your venue and wedding package, you may have a member of staff on hand to help set your train and veil before you walk (huge shout-out to Ruby at Holdsworth House for doing us proud and helping Ashleigh here). If that’s not the case, my advice is simple: have your bridesmaids get you fully prepped before they head down the aisle, so everything is perfectly in place from the start.
And finally—the step that’s most often missed (purely because emotions are running high, not because anyone’s done anything wrong)—make sure someone is waiting for you at the end of the aisle to fluff your train and reset your veil. There is nothing worse than that all-important “I do” moment being captured with your dress crumpled around your legs… and trust me, it happens all the time.
The Angle Everyone Sees (But No One Photographs)
Take a moment for the back of the dress. It’s the part you almost never see, yet everyone else sees it nearly all day. And let’s be honest—you look incredible from every angle, so why are there so few photos that actually capture the back? I see the ghostly hanging dress in almost every wedding album, yet a beautifully designed back is somehow a rare sight. Trust me, this shot is a must-have—and it’s one of the easiest photos to get right.
Steps Worth Taking
If you have a staircase anywhere on your wedding day, use it. I have to admit I’m completely partial to a staircase shot—there’s just something about the movement that makes these photos look incredible every time. It doesn’t need to be grand or dramatic either; even a simple staircase (yes, even one on a bus) creates images that feel different, dynamic, and genuinely special.
P.s. I know this isn’t the most interesting picture but it was such a special moment on the day where all 5 of us had been running round like mad women and this was where we had 5mins to sit and have a giggle and rest our feet! I LOVE this picture.
Twirl, Don’t Stand Still
If you couldn’t already tell, any photo that shows the movement of the dress is an absolute must for me—and twirl shots sit right at the top of that list. There is nothing that brings a gown to life quite like motion: the skirt lifting, the fabric catching the air, the train following behind you. These moments are so easily missed on the day, yet they create some of the most joyful, cinematic images in a wedding album. A simple twirl or even a playful spin during portraits adds energy, personality, and captures a lovely intimate fun moment.
Your Day, Your Details
Think about at least one moment or detail that is deeply personal to you—something that truly speaks to you as a bride or as a couple, and deserves to be captured with intention. When you share these specifics with your photographer, it allows them to give that moment extra thought, care, and creativity. It might be an outfit change you’re excited about, your dog being part of the day, or a cultural tradition that holds special meaning and needs to be documented properly. Whatever it is, don’t assume it will just be noticed—highlight it. The more your photographer understands what matters to you, the more meaningful and beautiful your photos will be.
The Veil Moment
Finally, my all-time favourite wedding photos: veil shots. I love them. There is nothing that adds drama, softness, and pure bridal magic quite like a veil in motion. I always say you buy a veil for the pictures if nothing else—because when it’s caught by the wind, lifted in a twirl, or draped just right, it creates some of the most timeless, romantic images of the entire day. If you want that effortless, editorial feel in your wedding album, veil photos are an absolute must.
