Hottest destination wedding photography trends
Destination weddings have plenty of perks – gorgeous settings, opportunities for unique activities, breathtaking venues – but one our favourite perks is the opportunity to take beautiful and unique photos! From lush landscapes to captivating ocean vistas, your destination’s natural beauty can effortlessly enhance your wedding photos providing visual keepsakes that will keep the magic of your destination wedding alive for a lifetime.
To help you elevate your wedding photo album esthetic, we’ve compiled a list of the hottest destination wedding photo ideas to add to your shot list!
Photo: Amy Foster – Fostered Photo
First look photoshoots are a special experience where couples reveal their wedding day looks to one another before their ceremony in a secluded location. Joined only by their photographer, first look photoshoots provide breathtaking candid shots of a once-in-a-lifetime moment where both of your reactions of seeing each other for the first time on your wedding day are captured. This is a perfect photo op if you want to connect with one another and ease your nerves before your ceremony or if you just can’t wait to see your spouse-to-be!
Before saying “I do” at Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas, Real Wedding couple Lauren and Rob captured their first look against the backdrop of towering palm trees.
Photo: Photography by Elvira
If you aren’t planning on preserving your wedding dress, consider doing a trash the dress photoshoot in paradise! This wedding photography trend captures the essence of your unique destination and provides a breathtaking contrast from perfectly curated wedding photos! With a variety of tropical landscapes to choose from, you can add a tropical twist to your trash the dress shoots for visual keepsakes that wouldn’t have been possible with a local wedding; you can kiss beneath crashing waves in the ocean, stroll along sandy shorelines, swim in a majestic waterfall and so much more.
After their Real Wedding in Punta Cana, Czerysh and Psalm did a trash the dress photoshoot in a serene lagoon.
Photo: Dean Sanderson
Underwater wedding photos are a beautiful and artistic way to symbolize taking the plunge! Backdrops of sparkling waters, spectacular sea landscapes and colourful corals result in ethereal and artistic shots that capture the beauty of your destination’s underwater world. Design your shoot based on your style and have your photoshoot during a deep-sea dive, surrounded by exotic fish or wearing glamorous attire!
Real Wedding couple Alma and Gillian made a splash with their underwater wedding photos.
Photo: Laura Kelly Photography
Destination wedding photoshoots wouldn’t be complete without breathtaking beach backdrops! Coastal surroundings are a timeless spot for your wedding portraits that showcase your destination and offer a laidback vibe. Whether you’re hosting your special day on the beach or simply stopping by for photos, your photographer can take stunning seaside snapshots while you and your sweetheart stroll hand-in-hand, along sparkling white-sand shores.
Beautiful photo from Krissy and Shayne’s beach wedding at Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas.
Photo: Daniel McQuillian
No matter what song you decide on, your first dance is sure to be one of the most magical moments from your destination wedding. We definitely recommend having a photographer on-site to capture all of the sweet moments while you sway to your favourite love song. From twirling beneath twinkling lights to showing off your moves with dramatic dips, your photographer can capture heartfelt moments from your first dance as a married couple.
Laura and Kevin danced to Lady in Red by Chris De Burgh at their Real Wedding.
Photo: Israel Mtz
A lot of thought goes into choosing the perfect resort for your destination wedding so it’s only right to highlight it in your wedding photos! Often, only your ceremony and reception venue get photographed but since you’re at a gorgeous resort – why not take advantage of the beautiful property and capture pictures of you and your spouse in various resort areas? It helps to wander around the resort in advance to scope out some spots that suit your style, such as picturesque bars or restaurants, unique backdrops and eye-catching pools!
Real Wedding couple Catherine and Craig took advantage of the stunning settings of their resort during their wedding photoshoot at Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun.
Photo: Just Klick Productions
So much of what makes your tropical celebrations special is the loved ones who join you in destination. Although most wedding shot lists include photos with your immediate family and wedding parties, taking a group photo with all of your wedding guests is a beautiful keepsake not only of your special day, but of the incredible time you spent altogether in paradise and all the people who were there for you. If coordinating all of your guests in one frame seems daunting, opt for a fun and informal group picture! This is an effortless approach that will result in relaxed and natural photo filled with love.
Marline and Mina were joined by 90 guests to celebrate their Real Wedding at Grand Oasis Cancun.
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