Wedding photography trends and videography in 2025 are shaping up to be an exciting blend of high-fashion editorial style and authentic documentary storytelling. Couples are increasingly seeking a balance between sophisticated, magazine-worthy shots and raw, emotive moments that encapsulate the essence of their big day.
What you will learn in this post:
- The latest 2025 wedding photography trends, blending editorial and documentary styles.
- How cinematic storytelling and cinematic lighting techniques are redefining wedding photography.
- The rise of minimalist elegance, black and white revival, and high-fashion bridal portraits.
- How drone photography and styled wedding editorials are elevating wedding storytelling.
Whether you’re looking for wedding photography trends 2025 or seeking inspiration for your editorial wedding photography or documentary wedding photography, this article covers it.
Here are the top 5 trends in both editorial and documentary wedding photography for the upcoming year.
Wedding Photography Trends 1: Cinematic Storytelling (Documentary) & Cinematic Lighting Techniques (Editorial)
Cinematic wedding photography is an element of both styles. Both editorial and documentary styles are embracing cinematic elements to create visually compelling images and stories.
Documentary photographers are focusing on sequences that tell a complete story—from intimate pre-wedding getting-ready moments to the grandeur of the reception—while editorial photographers are experimenting with moody lighting, strong contrasts, and film-inspired color grading to create timeless, dramatic images.
Expect to see: Golden hour wedding photos, atmospheric tones, and sequences that feel like movie scenes, where every image contributes to a larger, cohesive visual story.
Wedding Photography Trends 2: Fashion-Forward Bridal Portraits (Editorial) & Unplugged, Candid Moments (Documentary)
Editorial wedding photography continues to take inspiration from high-fashion magazines, emphasizing high-fashion wedding photography, couture gowns, dramatic poses, and stylized compositions.
On the other hand, documentary wedding photography captures the beauty of unfiltered, unscripted moments, especially in unplugged wedding moments where guests are fully present and engaged rather than focused on their screens.
Expect to see: Elegant, fashion-forward bridal portraits alongside spontaneous moments of laughter, joyful tears, and heartfelt embraces that truly capture the essence of the day.
Wedding Photography Trends 3: Minimalist Elegance (Editorial) & Black and White Revival (Documentary)
Minimalism is a major theme in editorial wedding photography, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, and an understated yet luxurious aesthetic. In contrast, documentary wedding photography is seeing a resurgence in black and white wedding photography, which brings out raw emotions and adds a timeless feel to wedding albums.
Expect to see: Soft, neutral palettes and refined compositions in editorial’s minimalist wedding photography, while documentary photographers embrace the power of monochrome wedding photography to highlight emotion and atmosphere with a throwback to film photography.
Wedding Photography Trends 4: High-End Detail Shots (Editorial) & Drone Documentary Shots (Documentary)
In editorial wedding photography, intricate details—such as accessories, florals, and invitation suites—are taking center stage, with photographers crafting stunning still-life compositions.
Meanwhile, documentary wedding photography is incorporating drone wedding photography to capture breathtaking aerial perspectives, offering a new vantage point on destination wedding venues and outdoor celebrations.
Expect to see: Wedding detail shots of rings, delicate lacework, and wedding tablescapes juxtaposed with wide, cinematic aerial views of wedding locations.
Wedding Photography Trends 5: Storytelling Through Styled Editorials (Editorial) & Minimal Editing for Authenticity (Documentary)
Editorial wedding photography is curating styled wedding editorials that tell a deeper visual narrative, incorporating themes and aesthetics that enhance the romance of the wedding day.
Documentary wedding photography is opting for minimal editing for authenticity, favoring a natural and true-to-life look that reflects the authentic atmosphere of the event.
Expect to see: Carefully curated, thematic wedding photo shoots with a strong narrative, alongside raw and authentic wedding storytelling that feels honest and real.
Top Three Lenses for Editorial and Documentary Wedding Photographers
Choosing the right lens can make a significant difference in wedding photography. Here are three top lenses that editorial and documentary wedding photographers should consider:
- Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 DI III VXD G2: This versatile zoom lens is perfect for both editorial and documentary styles. It offers excellent image quality, a fast f/2.8 aperture for beautiful bokeh, and a lightweight design, making it ideal for capturing both high-fashion bridal portraits and candid moments.
- Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 DI III VC VXD G2: A great telephoto option, this lens provides stunning compression, which is fantastic for intimate, close-up shots without intruding on the couple’s space. The close focusing capability of the lens is perfect for the detail shots editorial photographers are after. Its f/2.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance, making it ideal for capturing emotion-packed moments in any lighting condition.
- Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 DI III VXD: This professional all-in-one zoom lens is a game-changer for wedding photographers. With an extremely fast aperture range of f/2-2.8, it excels in both editorial portrait and documentary styles, allowing for sharp, detailed images in various lighting scenarios. Its versatility makes it a must-have for photographers who need flexibility without compromising on quality. it’s an ideal lens for candid wedding photography where changing lenses could mean missing moments.
Conclusion
These wedding photography trends in 2025 highlights the best of both worlds: the polished, sophisticated shots of editorial wedding photography and the deeply personal, heartfelt moments captured through documentary wedding photography.
As a professional photographer, you now have the opportunity to embrace one style or blend both, allowing you to create a wedding gallery that is not only visually stunning but also emotionally resonant for your clients.