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Ok hear me out, I think the wedding industry is on the verge of a revolution. And let me just say, I am 100% here for it. I've felt this energy shift when it comes to weddings over the past year especially - a collective yearning for something more than the traditional wedding expectations passed down from yesteryear. So please, read on for my completely uncensored, unfiltered and undisputed list of 2024/2025 wedding predictions.
Spoiler: you're gonna like the way you(r wedding) looks
Intimate micro weddings, but in unusual, magical, fairytale settings
Think greenhouse in the woods, rural Airbnb rental (more on this below because I think this idea is genius), or colorful backyard wonderland wedding. The trend of intimate micro weddings is expected to gain even more popularity in the coming years as rates for venues and vendors continue to rise. Couples are opting for smaller gatherings, allowing for more personal connections and meaningful moments. As a candid Portland wedding photographer, I love having more opportunity to focus on the genuine emotions shared among a select group of close friends and family.
Friends-only destination elopements
Weddings are going to go from a single regimented scripted day to a weekend-long celebration with your friends at your favorite exotic destination. Now that travel is back on the rise, I'm excited to see more of the friends-only elopements that bring together 5-10 of your closest friends and leave the in-laws at home. And as a documentary style wedding photographer who loves to have a good time with my clients, I'm here for all your destination elopement weekends. This trend opens up possibilities for capturing love against the backdrop of stunning scenery, creating visually captivating and photographs charged with emotion and only the best of friends.
Tech Integration:
Ok I have some scary nightmare predictions about tech which is basically that photographers will be replaced with drones that just buzz around your wedding all day like an episode of Black Mirror LOL. But there are some other wedding tech trends I'm 100% here for. The vintage photo booth my sister had at her wedding was honestly the star of the whole reception and got the best pics of the night. It half convinced me you don't need a wedding photog you could just get one of those.
Personalized Experiences:
Couples are moving away from traditional wedding norms and focusing on creating a personalized experience that reflects their unique personalities - and I am here for it. From customized vows to unconventional ceremonies, every detail tells a part of the couple's story. Documenting these personalized elements will allow you to showcase the distinctiveness of every wedding. I recently shot a wedding where one of the brides serenaded the other on the violin before they exchanged vows. Cue literal tiny violin tear.
The best way to customize your wedding is to add as many DIY touches as you can. Not only does this offer you the chance to save a lot of money, but it will add to the special feeling and ambiance of the day.
No More Shot Lists:
Here's a hot take: shot lists for weddings are kind of weird IMO. Unless there's a very specific, personal photo you want to get, the wedding shot list is going to be apparent as the day unfolds, especially if you're going for a documentary wedding photo experience. The goal is for your wedding photos to tell a story - not to create a gallery of perfectly staged shots.
In Conclusion!
Weddings are only going to get more fun, more intimate, and more unique in the coming years. Couples are going to strive for custom details that make their special day truly one of a kind and shed the unwanted expectations passed down from older generations.
I'm here for all the fun, candid and non-traditional wedding celebrations in Portland and beyond. If you're in the market for a documentary-style wedding photographer, reach out for a consultation today.