Film wedding photography is trending again — and honestly, I’m not surprised.
I’m a wedding photographer who specialises in shooting on film, and more and more couples are coming to me craving something slower, more meaningful, and a little less… perfect. This isn’t about chasing a trend. It’s about how we want our weddings to feel — and how we want to remember them.
Grab a coffee, because this is a heart‑led one.
We’re craving nostalgia in a world that never switches off
We live in a world of iPhones, notifications, and constant scrolling. Everything is instant. Everything is documented. Everything is now.
And yet — the couples I photograph are craving something that feels older, calmer, and more grounded.
Film feels like a step back to a time when:
- moments weren’t immediately reviewed on a screen
- photos weren’t filtered, tweaked or over‑polished
- memories lived in albums, not just camera rolls
There’s a reason analogue photography feels so emotional. It reminds us of family photo albums, childhood summers, and weddings that existed long before social media. Film doesn’t shout. It lingers.
AI made everything perfect — now we want the imperfect
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: AI.
Photos are getting sharper, smoother, cleaner, and more controlled than ever before. Skin is flawless. Skies are replaced. Moments are… perfected.But perfection isn’t what makes a wedding meaningful.
What couples are really craving right now is:
- emotion over polish
- feeling over flawlessness
- chaos over control
35mm film embraces the unexpected.A light leak. A soft blur. Grain dancing across a frame. A moment that feels real rather than rehearsed.
Those ‘imperfections’ are often the images couples fall in love with most — because they feel honest.
Like life.
Less is more: the shift away from 1,000-image galleries
There was a time when wedding photography meant quantity.1,000 images. 10 versions of the same moment. Endless scrolling.Now? Couples are choosing curation over overload.
Film photography naturally slows everything down — and that’s part of the magic.Instead of overshooting, I’m watching. Anticipating. Waiting for the moment to unfold.
That means:
- more curation
- stronger storytelling
- photographs that actually mean something
You don’t need every second documented. You need the moments that mattered.
Film wedding photography feels intentional — just like modern couples
The couples I work with are intentional in everything they do.
They care about:
- thoughtful design
- meaningful details
- experiences over excess
Choosing film wedding photography fits beautifully into that mindset.
Film asks you to slow down. To trust. To be present.And on a wedding day, that’s a gift.
When couples know not every second is being fired away, something shifts. They relax. They lean in. They feel the day rather than perform it.
Why film feels so right for weddings
35mm film has a way of seeing light and skin that digital just can’t replicate.It’s soft without being flat. Romantic without being staged. Timeless without trying too hard.Years from now, your photos won’t scream a trend or an editing style. They’ll simply feel… right.
Like they’ve always existed.
This isn’t about going backwards — it’s about going deeper
Shooting on film in a digital world is a choice.A choice to slow down. A choice to value craft. A choice to create something tangible and lasting.For me, film wedding photography is about preserving how your wedding felt, not just how it looked.
The nerves before the ceremony. The squeeze of a hand. The way the light fell during speeches.
Those moments deserve more than perfection.
They deserve heart.
If you’re planning a wedding and feel drawn to something nostalgic, heartfelt, and intentionally different, film wedding photography might be exactly what you’re looking for.
And if that resonates — I’d love to chat.
Film wedding photography isn’t just trending. It’s a return to meaning — and that’s why it’s here to stay.
