Film Wedding Photography: A Guide to Your Celebration

There’s something magical about running across a vintage wedding photo. It’s impossible not to linger over the fashion from another era and the giddy smiles of people starting a life together. It’s no wonder that people are getting more interested in film wedding photography again. The thing is, film comes with its own language. I’ve created this guide to help you navigate the most popular types of film wedding photography. You can pick the best one (or combination of them) to tell your love story..

3 Popular Types of Film Wedding Photography

I love film photography. It’s become a major part of all my services because it’s honest and timeless. Polaroids, 35mm, and Super 8 film are some of my favorites to work with when documenting weddings.

Polaroid Photos

For a distinctly 1970s feel, Polaroid film is a fun addition to any wedding photography package. The quality tends not to be as good as 35mm film (described below), but that’s part of the charm. Polaroid photos are about a moment’s energy more than its details.

Polaroid photos are unique among film wedding photography because they come with instant gratification. Everything else requires some patience for the film to get developed and scanned. Polaroids are so tangible and intimate. Something about the quick, casual nature of Polaroid pictures makes them unpretentious and fun. 

While Polaroid photos used to just hang on the fridge or get lost in a drawer, there are lots of options for putting them in albums now. You can keep yours out to enjoy every day or combine them with your other photos in your wedding album. Either way, something about a Polaroid photo hits different. You pick it up and are immediately taken back to that moment. 

35mm Photos

When you were young, did you ever get a disposable camera? Imagine that experience but upgraded. You get funky moments with light leaks and whimsical imperfections. The flash adds to the nostalgic feeling, but it’s elevated from anything you experienced as a kid. You’ve probably noticed it used in magazines, ads, and cool Instagram posts in the last few years.

On top of the artistry and fun features, 35mm film wedding photography never goes out of style. It renders colors so beautifully. The grain and tones are just breathtaking. You can’t completely imitate it digitally. 

Whenever I photograph a wedding on film, I have that feeling you get when you find a photo box lying around your grandparents’ house. There’s a sense of tradition and belonging. All film wedding photography, but especially 35mm, connects you to that.

Even though 35mm has less of that happy-go-lucky energy than Polaroid photos do, it’s sometimes even better for candid photos. The cameras can be more sophisticated. They’re better for catching motion and images in lower light. I love a reception moment on 35mm film! 

Super 8 Video

You might be wondering what video is doing on a list of film wedding photography. Super 8 is actually an old-school way of capturing video on film. Kodak launched it as their go-to for home movies in the 1960s. When you think of your grandparents waving to the camera on warm, grainy home movies, you’re probably thinking of Super 8. 

Super 8 fell out of popularity for a while once camcorders came on the market. People are reviving the art form, though. The video has a sense of honesty and authenticity to it. Because Super 8 was so popular for home movies, watching your wedding video won’t feel like an oddly dramatic version of your life. Super 8 isn’t over-produced or edited in flashy ways. If you want your wedding video to have an aura of dreamy nostalgia, Super 8 is for you.

Super 8 is a medium that really captures the emotion of your wedding day. Without a lot of distraction, you can focus on what matters. Usually, those are the quieter moments. The first look, portraits, and one-on-one moments are ideal times to document on Super 8.

Check out this heartfelt Super 8 film from an elegant wedding at The Cooperage. 

Your Film Wedding Photography 

Are you interested in having Super 8 and film wedding photography to document your celebration? I’m a Milwaukee wedding photographer who specializes in intentional images that reflect life’s fullness. Inquire with me today!