Why Film Wedding Photography is the Ultimate Glow-Up for Your Wedding Album

We spend so much time planning & fine tuning a wedding day, only to have it end in a flash. It’s kind of crazy that at the end of the whirlwind, your wedding photos are one of the only things that you’ll have forever. The are the time capsure that holds all the laughs, tears, and that one uncle who really shouldn’t have attempted the worm.

Digital photography is wonderful for so many reasons (thank you digital for letting me click the shutter so much), but after decades behind the camera I’m convinced that film wedding photography is the true MVP. When it comes to capturing the guts of a wedding, nothing will ever compare to the nostalgic, artistic, and effortlessly romantic feel that film delivers. Can digital replicate this vibe? It can come close with a lot of tweaking, but film just… hits different.

If you’re wondering whether film is worth adding to your photography collection, spoiler alert: it totally is. Let’s break down why.

1. Film Wedding Photography Feels Romantic 100% of The Time

You know those wedding photos that look like they belong in an old-school romantic movie? That’s film at work.

There’s a softness, a warmth, and a grit to film that makes every shot feel intimate and authentic. Digital photography can sometimes be too crisp, too sharp, too “perfect” – IMO. You know when you go into Best Buy and those new Ultra 4k TVs show you every pore and hair on an actor? It’s a lot. Film is softer. Some tech obsessed photographers will swear that sharper is better, but I would argue that for the purposes of romance & nostalgia we can lean into the imperfections and grit of film.

It’s basically wedding photography with a built-in fairy tale filter.

2. Colors That Actually Look Like Real Life

Ever seen wedding photos where the skin tones look way too warm or oddly washed out? That’s one of digital photography’s little quirks—it doesn’t always get color balance right.

When film is thoughtfully and carefully exposed, it nails the tones every time. I’m not talking muddy, underexposed film. I’m talking vibrant greens, dreamy blues, and gorgeous skin tones.

Film absorbs light differently than digital sensors, creating colors that are soft, natural, and flattering. Skin instantly looks creamy and requires very little retouching, and the overall tones feel rich yet true-to-life.

No weird filters needed.

3. A Little Bit of Grain = A Whole Lot of Character

Film has a subtle (sometimes not so subtle) grainy texture that adds an extra vibe and mood to your wedding photos.

Rather than the ultra-polished, high-def sharpness of digital, the natural grail in film creates a soft, romantic look. Think of it as a carefully handwritten love note vs a typed email. It’s not perfect, some people don’t like grain at all, and that’s fine. But to me, there’s something about the grittiness of film that feels more personal and more honest.

Perfect is overrated.

4. Film Wedding Photographers Are More Intentional

Here’s a little insider secret: digital photographers can snap literally thousands of photos during a wedding. I’m guilty of overshooting myself. While it’s really great to get loads of options so you can weed out the “perfect” shot, it can mean that we’re not really intentional and waiting for the real stuff to happen. We can get lost clicking away without thinking.

Film photographers, on the other hand, have a finite number of frames per roll. 35mm film usually has 24-36 frames, while medium format only has 12-16! And friends, film is NOT cheap. This means that every single shot needs to be carefully thought through, composed, and captured. It’s slow and it’s deliberate.

The result is fewer throwaways and more images with heart!

Image captured on assignment for Elizabeth In Love

5. You Can Have the Best of Both Worlds

If you’re worried your film photographer will miss those fast-paced, candid moments, don’t be. Many modern wedding photographers (myself included) offer a hybrid approach, using both film and digital to cover all the bases.

This means you get the romantic, whimsical feeling of film alongside the speed and acuracy of digital. This is a win-win for your final wedding gallery.

What Do You Think?: Is Film Wedding Photography For You?

If you want wedding photos that feel like they belong in an old movie or in a well-worn photo album, film wedding photography is the way to go. It’s nostalgic, artistic, and has an effortlessly dreamy, timeless quality that digital photos just can’t fully replicate.

When you’re searching for a wedding photographer, don’t be afraid to ask about film! I’ve been around long enough to see every editing trend come and go, but film is timeless. It’s an investment in photos that will feel just as magical decades from now as they do today – and trust me, your future self will thank you.

Pro tip: If you’re going the film route, ask your photographer if they also shoot in medium format film – that’s where the real magic happens.

I would absolutely love to connect with you and chat about how we can capture your wedding photos on film. If you’re looking for a film photographer in Toronto Reach out today!