Finding your wedding vision / style
When you think about your wedding, what do you imagine? How do you want it to feel? Is it going to be:
A natural fun filled, relaxed day?
Timeless Elegance?
A fantasy wizard themed soiree?
A rock festival?
Luxe feel with a banging party at the end?
Or don’t you know yet? Are you at the very early stages of planning. This is an article to help you find and plan your wedding vision. Giving you some ideas (and some full weddings if you want to dig deeper) to help clarify your unique style.
Zoe & Karl Married at The Electric Cinema in Birmingham. As they signed the register, clips from 80’s movies played on the silver screen.
Remember – it’s all about you!
A lot of articles suggest heading straight for Pinterest, Instagram, etc. But I think it’s far more important to work out what your interests are. Who are you as people – what excites you? What are you passionate about? Do you have values you want to work into your wedding as well? A wedding I recently worked had a charity bar, where all the proceeds went to charity. It reflected who the couple were and their values wonderfully. (That, and it was a festival wedding)
How to Plan Your Wedding Vision
- Start with Your Big Picture Vision
- Decide Where Your Priorities Lie
- Identify aspects most important to you such as venue, catering, entertainment, décor.
- Make a priority list with “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” to avoid overspending on less important details.
- Example: Prioritizing a stunning venue might mean allocating less budget to flowers.
- Define Your Style or Theme
- Choose a wedding style that reflects your personality and vision.
- Your style will influence colours, decorations, music, attire, and venue choice.
- Stay true to your vision despite outside pressures or trends.
- Create a Vision Board
- Collect images, colour palettes, décor ideas, and venue photos that inspire you.
- Refine it over time as you lock down vendors and details.
Additional Tips
- Incorporate your personal interests (e.g., music, food) into the style to personalise your day further.
- Consider practical details such as guest count, venue availability by season, and budget limits alongside your vision.
- Visualize and communicate clearly with your wedding planner and vendors to ensure everyone understands your vision.
By starting with a clear wedding vision and choosing a style that resonates with you, the entire planning process becomes more focused and fulfilling. Whether you lean toward the glamour of a luxury wedding or the free-spirited fun of a festival vibe, setting your wedding vision sets the foundation for a memorable celebration uniquely yours.
Kieran & Jack had a big, camp, industrial disco party at Shack Revolution. It was such a display of individualism that it doesn’t really fit in a category. You can see it here.
Different Styles Of Wedding
The Luxury Wedding
A luxury wedding is the epitome of opulence and grandeur, designed to create an unforgettable, breathtaking experience. Every detail is carefully curated to evoke elegance, from designer wedding gowns adorned with intricate beading and high-end fabrics like silk and lace, to lavish décor featuring crystal chandeliers, tall floral centerpieces, candles, gold and metallic accents, andrich textures like velvet. Venues are often historic mansions, luxury hotels, or grand ballrooms that add to the sophisticated atmosphere. The ambiance is intimate yet extravagant, with carefullylayered lighting, draped fabrics, and sometimes a dramatic grand entrance with cascading florals and soft candlelight. Luxury weddings typically feature gourmet, multi-course meals with interactive elements like champagne walls or prosecco carts, and entertainment that feels premiumand personalized. The entire event is designed to make guests feel like VIPs, delivering a seamless blend of extravagance and thoughtful elegance
Becky and Paul married at the historic Calke Abbey in Derbyshire. Their wedding is one I often think of when talking about simple, timeless elegance. You can see more about it here.
The Rustic Wedding
Luxe rustic weddings combine the casual, natural charm of rustic venues like barns or converted warehouses with the refined elegance of luxurious décor. This fusion creates a warm yet polished aesthetic, incorporating elements such as flowing greenery installations, white linens, metallic accents (especially gold or copper), and high-quality floral designs. The color palette favors natural hues—greens, whites, and metallics—enhancing the organic feel while maintaining sophistication. Luxe rustic weddings celebrate the beauty of natural textures like wood and stone while elevating the experience with tasteful elegance, striking a balance between cozy and grand.
Ella & Adam had a rustic wedding at Riverlands in Goole. You can see more of their pictures here.
The Gothic Wedding
A Gothic wedding is a unique and striking celebration that embraces dark romance, drama, and elegance with a moody, mysterious atmosphere. It draws inspiration from Gothic literature, architecture, and subcultures, blending elements of classic romance with an edge of the unconventional. The wedding’s aesthetic centers around deep, rich color palettes such as velvety blacks, blood reds, dark purples, emerald greens, and vintage golds to evoke opulence and intensity.
England is a great location for a Gothic wedding. Autumn, winter and their festivals (Halloween!) can add to the dark moody feel – either in an understated or a full on way!
Annelies and Louis had a very British wedding. The gothic Odda’s Chapel, followed by a town hall. Fun fact – Odda’s Chapel featured in the Horror novel I was reading just before shooting the wedding. (John Connoly’s Book of Bones). You can see more of their wedding here
The Festival Wedding
Festival weddings capture a laid-back, vibrant, and fun spirit reminiscent of outdoor music festivals. They are often held in open fields, farms, or wooded areas where multiple entertainment stages, food trucks, and casual seating areas create a lively atmosphere. The decor is bohemian and eclectic, with tents, fairy lights, colorful banners, and mismatched furniture lending a whimsical touch. Bright, natural earth tones and mixed patterns dominate the color palette, reflecting the carefree and joyful mood of the event. Casual attire is encouraged, and the focus is on creating a relaxed yet engaging celebration with plenty of opportunities for dancing, socializing, and enjoying diverse foods and activities. Festival weddings celebrate community and freedom, making for a memorable and spirited experience
Nina & Tommy set up a marquee and tents on a family farm. The mood was completed by a charity bar / espresso bar, and live music throughout the evening (with even Tommy and the Groomsmen putting in a performance)
The Cultural Wedding
A cultural wedding set in an unconventional venue such as an art gallery, bookshop, or cinema offers couples a unique and deeply personal way of celebrating their love. These creative spaces reflect the interests and passions of the couple—perhaps their shared love of art, literature, or film—while providing a memorable backdrop that is both meaningful and visually stunning. In an art gallery, couples say their vows surrounded by masterpieces, the refined ambiance and rich history of the space adding sophistication and inspiring beautiful, artistic photographs. Bookshop weddings are perfect for literary lovers, where the scent of old pages and stacks of treasured books create an intimate and cozy atmosphere; guests may even browse the shelves or receive customized bookmarks as favors, making the gathering feel authentic and personal. Cinemas, with their retro charm and dramatic lighting, offer film enthusiasts a chance to step into their own movie, complete with screenings and red carpet entrances for that Hollywood touch. Whether celebrating in a place filled with books, art, or the magic of cinema, these cultural venues transform the wedding into a reflection of the couple’s unique journey together
Chloe & Nathan married at Derby Museum and Art Gallery, before heading to Sharpes Pottery Museum for their reception. You can see their wedding photos here
The fun, relaxed, free for all
A fun, relaxed, free-for-all wedding is all about tossing tradition aside in favor of genuine connection, laughter, and shared moments with loved ones. Instead of rigid schedules or formalities, the day takes on a spontaneous, festival-like atmosphere—think lounging on picnic blankets, playing outdoor games, or dancing barefoot on the grass while a playlist of the couple’s favorite tunes sets the mood. Décor is informal and eclectic, with mismatched chairs, string lights, and DIY touches that add warmth and personality. Guests can dress comfortably, indulge in crowd-pleasing foods from food trucks or potluck-style spreads, and help themselves to open bars or drink stations. Rather than a set program, activities and speeches happen naturally as the day unfolds, letting everyone feel at ease. The couple joins in the fun—mingling, laughing, and making memories—so the whole celebration feels like an effortless get-together where the focus is on joy, authenticity, and simply being present with the people who matter most.
Colleen and Aron married at Mansfield Registry office, followed by a reception at Shirebrook Miners Welfare. It was unconventional, bucked all tradition and made for a wonderfully fun way to celebrate their union. See their photos here.
The Micro Wedding
Small, intimate weddings are about celebrating the day with the people closest to you. You may go for a meal, a walk up a hill, feed the ducks – or even just elope. But the idea is to keep it small and focus on what matters most to you.
Simon and Amy married at Bakewell Town Hall, followed by a walk around Bakewell. They also planned to feed the ducks and get Bakewell pudding, but a trial tasting of Bakewell pudding did not go down well. See their photos here.
Summary
Hopefully that give you some ideas about different wedding visions, and styles. But remember to keep it personal. Don’t be afraid to mix and match and put your own stamp on the day.
And if you’re in need of a documentary wedding photographer to capture your day in a relaxed, unobtrusive style, please bear me in mind.
