If you’re looking for some inspo to get the most unique wedding photos, you’re in the right place! As a wedding photographer who’s all about capturing love in an edgy, nontraditional way, I wanted to share the love story of a couple I recently worked with.
Belle and John truly embodied the indie spirit. The way they organized their wedding and the intentions behind their celebration were super inspiring, and they made my job a breeze.
If you’re wondering how to make your wedding photos fun, unforgettable, and totally YOU, feel free to steal some of the ideas below… Let’s dive in!
Here’s how to get unique wedding photos (and as real & authentic as YOU!)
Get the celebration started at the ceremony
Alright, this first idea might seem obvious, but I loved how this couple was determined to enjoy their day and relax from the very start. Some people stress over every little detail, but not Belle and John.
These two were all about soaking up quality time with their loved ones and saying their “I dos” with zero stress. They started their day at a private estate, getting ready with their family close by.
One of the sweetest moments was seeing Belle with the kids helping her get ready, making them part of the process. Once everyone was prepped, they headed to a dreamy garden for their ceremony.
The atmosphere was filled with so much love and joy. Belle, in particular, couldn’t stop smiling the entire time. You could tell these two were in a celebratory mood from the moment they woke up, without a care in the world.
And that brings me to my first tip: Don’t wait until the party to start celebrating—get into the fun, relaxed vibe right from the ceremony!
Document all the tiny moments—even the journey to your party!
Next up is capturing all the little details. You might think the journey to your party isn’t that interesting or worth photographing, but it’s actually the opposite! Those ‘in-between’ moments tell the story of your day and set the stage for the celebration.
Whether it’s cruising in a limo, riding a carriage (if you’re feeling classy), or strolling through the city streets at night like Belle and John, these moments are priceless.
Personally, I loved snapping these nighttime shots in Charlottesville. The dark, city-night vibe added a cool dramatic touch to Belle and John’s wedding album.
Choose a venue that matches your vibe
When it comes to getting those unique wedding photos, the venue is everything. Instead of just going with a popular wedding spot, find a place that feels like you—a spot where you can relax and really enjoy the moment.
Because let’s be real: it’s hard to capture photos that genuinely feel you if the location doesn’t reflect your personality.
If you’re into nature, why not go for a cozy countryside villa or an outdoor celebration in a park? Or, if you’re more like Belle and John and love the city vibes, a cool rooftop with a killer view might be more your thing.
For instance, these two had their wedding reception at Level 10 in Charlottesville—and it was perfect for them! The venue had a spacious indoor area and a huge rooftop terrace, which made for some incredible photos with the night sky and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background.
Plus, the whole place had a clean, modern feel that just fit their personalities.
Pick a photographer you admire and trust them completely
If there’s one thing I can’t stress enough about getting those unique wedding photos, it’s this: take the time to find a photographer you genuinely love, trust, and can totally count on.
Seriously, do your homework—scroll through their portfolios, check out a bunch of wedding albums, and hop on a call to see if you connect not just with their style, but with their personality too.
This made all the difference for Belle and John. They trusted me completely right from the start, which allowed them to relax and me to really tap into my creative flow. And let me tell you, I’m obsessed with how their reception photos turned out! I love the flash reception photos from this wedding.
Add a dash of nostalgia with black-and-white photography
I’ve got a bit of a personal favorite when it comes to wedding photos—black and white shots. There’s just something about them that feels so timeless, with that little touch of nostalgia.
If you’re looking for your wedding photos to tell a story, take you back in time, and add a bit of edge, I definitely recommend requesting some black and white photos.
And if you’re loving how Belle and John’s turned out, and want something similar for your big day, just reach out! We can make that happen for you too.
Make quality time your top priority
These two were all about making sure their night with friends and family was unforgettable. And you can totally see it in the pictures!
They’re goofing around, telling jokes, sharing big hugs, clinking glasses, and just having the best time together on their big night.
Get everyone moving & grooving
Another thing these two totally nailed was the music. They’ve got great taste and picked DJs who kept everyone dancing all night long.
And the best part? Belle and John were right there ON the dance floor (almost the whole time!), making it easy to snap some amazing party photos.
If you want your wedding photos to have a fun vibe… Just get everyone dancing and put some extra thought into the kind of music that’ll do the trick for you!
Involve your friends and family in your wedding!
Lastly, it was so amazing to see that the groom’s mom was also part of the wedding vendor team – in charge of the flowers.
I think involving your closest ones in being part of your event also adds extra magic to your party and makes your photos even more unique.
So, my last tip here is: Think about if you have any close friends/family who are either cake wizards, awesome DJs, or you admire their abilities to make anything super pretty and try to see if you can get them involved.
I’m sure they’d be honored to be there for you this way too!
Final thoughts on unique wedding photos ideas
I hope this article gave you some ideas on how to create an amazing vibe for your wedding and get the most unique wedding photos. Just remember to relax, enjoy yourself, hire people you trust, and you’ll be all good.
But it’s your wedding, so, of course, treat this post only as an inspiration and do what feels authentic to you and your partner.
And if you loved the photos from their wedding and want to work with someone who’ll capture all the little moments of your love story, feel free to contact me. I’ll be super excited to document your wedding too and capture the vibe true to you!
Shoutout to the rest of the vendor team:
- Planning: Nadia with Mary Elizabeth Events
- Florals: Moonflower Farm (the groom’s mom!)
- DJ/Entertainment: Prime Time Event Group
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