Top 5 Wedding Photography Trends for the 2025/26 Season (That We’re Obsessed With)
By The Colectiv – Kitchener-Waterloo Wedding Photographers
Let’s be real—wedding photography is so much more than posing and pretty backdrops. It's about energy, emotion, and those blink-and-you-miss-it moments that hit you right in the gut when you see them again years later. And as couples step into 2025/26, we’re seeing a bold shift away from stiff traditions and toward more personal, artistic, and cinematic vibes.
If you're planning your wedding and want photos that actually feel like you, here are the top trends we’re seeing (and loving) in the wedding photography world:
Flash & Filmy: The Return of Retro
Think direct flash, high contrast, and unfiltered energy—this style brings all the nostalgia of the early 2000s with a modern edge. Whether it’s on digital or actual film (35mm, Polaroids, or Super 8), couples are craving that imperfectly perfect vibe. We’re talking grain, blur, and all the messy magic that makes a moment feel real.
Our take? Mix in a few flash-heavy candids on the dance floor or throw in some film stills from your ceremony for that effortlessly cool gallery finish.
Candid Over Posed (Always)
More couples are ditching the stiff, traditional portraits and leaning into documentary-style coverage. It's all about honest storytelling—capturing the laughs, the tears, and the chaos of your day exactly as it unfolds.
We love this because it’s our jam. It means less time posing and more time soaking in the moment (and maybe sneaking away for golden hour shots that feel intimate and unscripted).
Blurred Motion = Big Emotion
Blurred movement is making a big comeback—and no, it’s not a mistake. It’s intentional. That dreamy motion blur you see in first dance shots or a champagne pop mid-spray? It’s an artistic way to show movement and emotion in one frame.
Expect to see more of this in galleries as couples lean into creative editorial shots that bring high energy and moody romance all at once.
Film, Film, Film.
Okay yes—we’re biased. But this trend is only growing: 35mm, medium format, Polaroids, Super 8… film is here to stay. There’s something undeniably special about photos you can’t instantly review, edit, or recreate. They’re honest. And when shot by someone who knows their way around film (👋 that’s us), the result is a gallery that feels like a living, breathing work of art.
Intentional Minimalism
In 2025/26, more couples are leaning into intentional design choices—stripped back decor, neutral palettes, and ceremonies that focus on meaning over grandeur. This translates beautifully into photography. Clean lines, natural light, and soft textures allow emotions to take centre stage.
Think: barefoot in the grass, handwritten vows, and a playlist that feels more like your living room than a ballroom. It’s quiet luxury—but make it emotional.
Final Thoughts
Trends come and go, but what always stays is how you felt. That’s why we love these shifts in the wedding photography world—because they centre real connection, real people, and real emotion.
If you're planning your wedding and want images that feel like you, head over to www.thecolectiv.ca. Let’s create something timeless, cinematic, and wildly honest—together.