As weddings continue to evolve, so does the way they’re documented. In 2025, couples are leaning into authenticity, cinematic visuals, and personalized storytelling like never before. Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement or a full-scale celebration, it helps to understand the wedding photography trends that are shaping how memories are being captured this year.

Here’s what’s trending in wedding photography in 2025—with styles and techniques that are being embraced by local photographers across New Zealand.

1. Candid and Documentary-Style Storytelling

Posed portraits still have their place, but 2025 couples want emotion over perfection. Documentary-style photography captures unscripted moments—the nervous glances, the teary parent speeches, the wild dance floor energy.

Photographers are taking a fly-on-the-wall approach, blending in with guests to capture the raw story as it unfolds naturally.

NZ photographers, especially those working in Wellington and the South Island, are embracing this style to reflect the relaxed, personal vibe many Kiwi weddings aim for.

2. Drone Photography for Epic Landscape Shots

New Zealand’s landscape is breathtaking—and couples are using drone photography to make the most of it. From aerial views of mountaintop elopements to sweeping footage of beachside ceremonies, drones are giving a whole new dimension to wedding albums.

Drone shots are particularly popular in:

Coastal ceremonies in the Coromandel or Abel Tasman

Garden weddings with aerial views of floral setups

Vineyard and countryside venues across Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough

Note: Always ask your photographer if they’re certified to operate drones in NZ and whether venue permissions are needed.

3. Editorial & Fashion-Inspired Portraits

Couples are opting for more stylized, editorial-style wedding portraits. These images draw inspiration from high-fashion photography—think dramatic lighting, creative compositions, and artfully posed shots.

Instead of smiling straight at the camera, expect moody glances, motion blur, and filmic tones. This trend is often used for post-ceremony couple sessions or styled shoots before the reception begins.

Many New Zealand wedding photographers are offering hybrid packages that blend this editorial style with candid coverage.

4. Black and White Is Making a Comeback

Classic and timeless, black-and-white photography is being used more intentionally in 2025. Rather than converting entire galleries, photographers are selecting emotional or impactful frames to present in monochrome—emphasizing contrast, texture, and expression.

This timeless touch balances beautifully with modern editing and keeps your gallery from feeling too trend-driven.

5. Film and Film-Style Editing

Analog photography is resurging. Some photographers are integrating real film shots into digital galleries, while others replicate the film aesthetic through editing—grainy textures, soft contrast, and muted tones.

This nostalgic look aligns with couples who want their wedding memories to feel warm, intimate, and timeless—something that digital filters often can’t fully replicate.

6. Blurred Motion and Experimental Techniques

In 2025, movement is being used creatively, not just avoided. Blurred motion shots (a twirling dress, a moving kiss, a fast-paced first dance) are becoming intentional elements in storytelling.

Rather than always freezing time, photographers are showing how it felt to be there—alive, in motion, emotionally charged.

You’ll see this trend increasingly in urban NZ weddings and artsy venues, particularly in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington.

7. Golden Hour and Blue Hour Sessions

Natural light continues to reign, but now with more focus on timing. Photographers are planning shoots specifically around:

Golden hour: the hour before sunset, for warm, romantic light

Blue hour: just after sunset, for soft, cinematic twilight tones

Couples are carving out time between ceremony and reception, or sneaking away for 15 minutes during dinner, just to catch this magic light.

NZ’s long summer evenings make this trend easy to incorporate, especially in outdoor and coastal locations.

8. Intimate ‘First Look’ and Private Moments

In 2025, more couples are embracing first looks—a private reveal before the ceremony that allows for authentic emotion and unhurried portraits.

This also includes:

Private vow readings

Pre-ceremony couple walks

Quiet portrait time away from guests

Photographers are building these moments into timelines to allow for less rushed, more meaningful storytelling.

9. Cultural Integration and Personal Touches

As weddings become more personalized, photography is reflecting that. Photographers are now expected to understand cultural ceremonies, family dynamics, and personal rituals.

From Samoan siva dances to tea ceremonies, haka performances, and family blessings—wedding albums now include intentional coverage of identity, heritage, and connection.

Local photographers across NZ are making cultural literacy and inclusion part of their core offering.

Final Thoughts: A Year of Emotion and Expression

The wedding photography trends of 2025 are less about staged perfection and more about capturing truth, movement, and emotion. Whether it’s windblown candid shots on a Wellington hilltop or sweeping drone footage over a coastal ceremony, today’s couples are looking for imagery that feels authentic, artistic, and entirely their own.

New Zealand’s wedding photographers are embracing these shifts—offering modern couples galleries that reflect not just how their day looked, but how it felt.

If you’re planning your wedding this year, talk with your photographer about these trends and which ones feel right for your story. The best images come not from following fads—but from leaning into what makes your day uniquely yours.