What Should a Photographer Wear to a Wedding: 20 Ideas for Men & Women

Once you have arranged the date of the wedding photo session and discussed details and customer’s requirements, here comes the question: what should a photographer wear to a wedding? If you want to become a top professional, you should certainly be aware of wedding photographer dress etiquette. Our article will help you not to put yourself into an awkward position and help with the choice of wedding photographer attire for any season.

First of all, ask your clients what kind of wedding it will be, or specify this in the wedding photography contract. A formal wedding requires formal clothing, the informal one allows wearing more casual clothes. Secondly, pay attention to cultural, traditional, and religious aspects. In Poland, for example, pink color brings bad luck to newlyweds and you may greatly offend your clients if you wear a pink dress.

Remember, that some types of religious weddings require very strict clothing. Thirdly, ask your clients whether it's obligatory to abide by the dress code. And what the dress code means exactly for them.

Though a photographer plays an important role in the wedding ceremony, when you are wondering “what do photographers wear to weddings?”, don’t forget that you are NOT the main attraction of the celebration. So, don’t draw too much attention to yourself. The photographer must not merge with all the guests dressed in blue/pink/or other outfits, he or she must differ from everybody, but at the same time, she or he must not attract much attention. In any case, a uniform for wedding photography must be decent and neat. It must not be slovenly or too pompous.

If you are dressed in an expensive suit, you will cause confusion. It's better to wear a usual vest rather than a jacket. And now ladies, a piece of advice for you. Choose neutral colors and please, forget about white, leave this color for the bride only!

It's very important to look sharp! Of course, you won't be seen on wedding photos, but guests will definitely notice a scruffy guy or a girl running around with a photography camera in his or her hands. A rumpled, tarnished shirt and pants won't do any good for you. Your reputation will be tainted the way your shirt is. Iron everything! Simple, neat and ironed clothes will create a good, positive image for you.

Don't wear jeans, shorts or anything too frivolous. Photographer outfits must not be too dressy. Find your middle ground and remember that a wedding photographer outfit must be comfortable and practical and nice.

What should a photographer wear to a wedding not to look like a guest? Don't adorn yourself as if you are a Christmas tree. Your task is to blend in with the environment. Modest, dark clothes will be a perfect choice.

Avoid bright colors and terrible animal prints. You are not going on safari, aren’t you? So, leave those poor animals in peace and let’s continue developing your decent, elegant style.

Make sure that the colors of your outfit differ from the bridal colors. Choose black or dark clothes. Little black dresses are always trendy. Many pro photogs choose nice, dark, practical clothes and look perfect during the bridal ceremony.

The photographer comes into view of the photo-video cameras of guests and the operator, that’s why it’s necessary to dress modestly. Tops, tight-fitting clothes, short skirts are good for nightclubs and discotheques but not for a wedding event. Your clothes must be functional, don't try to impress people with your dress, impress them with your work and good manners!

Your clothes must give you freedom of movements. You must feel comfortable when you walk, bend, climb the stairs, and realize creative wedding photography ideas. Wear minimal make-up. I don’t think that blue eyeshadows and bloody red lips will be good for a wedding event. It will be crazy, tasteless and vulgar. And, of course, a good hairstyle is also very important.

The most essential part of your attire is your shoes. Don't forget that you'll be on your feet all day, so comfortable shoes for wedding photographers are strongly recommended. Think about the area where you are going to shoot and the weather. What should you overcome to get a perfect angle – grass, sand or, maybe, gravel? If you are sure that your shoes can bear all these tortures and will still look good – put them on!

Ballet shoes and shoes with a round toe will be a good choice. Avoid heels, sandals or flip-flops (though they will be appropriate for an informal beach wedding). You can wear dark ankle boots with good support, for example.

Dark, practical clothes and comfortable shoes don’t sound very exciting, but there is always a way to express yourself – elegant accessories, such as a necklace, earrings, watch, tie, belt or bag. They will help you to look simple but refined and will emphasize your individuality.

Think about a beautiful hair accessory which can make your image elegant. Your accessories must not be too voluminous and shiny. Remember a golden rule – don't attract too much attention!

When deciding what to wear as a photographer to a wedding in summer, keep in mind that the primary condition for survival in the heat is to wear natural, breathable and lightweight fabrics. In polyester, you will experience all the shortcomings of the summer. Everything that concerns fabrics equally applies to jackets, to shirts, and to trousers. Perfect materials for the summer are flax and light cotton.

Wool will do fine if it is so-called tropical wool - a very thin and light woolen fabric. Also, of course, no tweed and flannels. Flax is the best in the heat, but it has one minus - it crumples so much. Therefore, if you are not ready to constantly walk in folds, then you will use mixed fabrics - flax in half with cotton. They are not hot, and they look a little more decent.

Speaking of the colors, the main rule is: the lighter the clothes are, the less is the consequences of the heat. Black clothing warms the fastest, white - on the contrary. However, this does not mean that you need to walk in white constantly. Beige, khaki or light pastel colors are quite fitting.

After sunset, it is appropriate to wear something darker. Remember: if it's not a suit, it's better to have a slight contrast between the top and bottom.

The headdress does not only keep your head warm when it's cold outside, but it can also save you from a heatstroke. For this purpose, any baseball caps and panamas will fit, but the most gentlemanly option is undoubtedly a panama hat or optimo hat.

The perfect summer comfortable shoes for wedding photographers are light leather or suede loafers that can be worn without socks, as well as topsiders, loafers, canvas sneakers and espadrilles. However, wearing good leather shoes on the leather soles you won’t also be too hot, even in thin socks. In this case, it is better to choose lighter leather.

Lightweight and comfortable overalls that do not constrain movements. Thanks to the free cut it is perfect for warm days and keeping up with the wedding photography timeline. In the cold season, add a stylish cardigan or jacket - and the elegant look is ready.

An excellent choice if you like to take pictures from a variety of angles. In such a suit, you can quickly make a comfortable position to catch a good shot. This outfit is a good answer to what a photographer should wear to a wedding.

Choosing new trousers for work, recreate all those poses that you plan to use at the wedding - and make sure that everything is sitting well. Choose cheaper pants and take two pairs. It is necessary to have pockets for the phone and other small things that may be needed during the work.

An excellent solution for official ceremonies. Restrained, elegant, but at the same time, a practical photographer outfit is an ideal choice for weddings and other long-lasting photoshoot with a lot of possible angles.

If you like wearing dresses, we advise you to choose middies or maxis. Midi skirts are quite versatile because they can easily complement any set, both in casual and smart casual style and in an elegant and refined romantic style.

An excellent choice will be black trousers with a stylish, low-key jacket and a light shirt. This image is universal for any style of celebration. Dark stretch pants provide freedom of movement, and a light shirt does not make you stand out among guests. Also, you can hide the caps from the lenses and spare cards in the pockets of the jacket. A bag over your shoulder makes your hands free. Light shoes without heels take care of your feet.

In the spring it’s great to take a break from dark tones. For warm spring days you can choose a knee-length skirt instead of black pants. Try on the look of neutral colors. A light blouse with a free cut makes it easy to move. The length of the skirt is appropriate to take pictures from different angles without thinking. To make the image look not so dull, add a necklace.

Summer wedding photographer attire should be lightweight and light-colored. Wear cotton light trousers with a loose cut and lightweight top. An excellent choice will be breathable soft shoes without a heel. Working in the sun on a hot summer day, do not forget about the hat.

At weddings in the official style, a suit with a tie is a significant attribute. In this case, choose a suit with a vest, because if the jacket restricts the movement, it can be removed, while still adhering to the official style. For a less formal style, choose a knitted cardigan. It not only looks stylish but also warms up during outdoor shootings in the cold season.

Summer is a time for light trousers and light, elegant shirts with a short sleeve. If it becomes cool – put on a one-buttoned blue jacket. This wedding photographer attire is suitable for celebrations in both casual and semi-official style. Free cut and comfort, as well as neutral colors, make this set suitable for weddings in various colors. Light pants are a good option for warm and hot days.

The main thing here are, perhaps, shoes. Lightweight and made of breathable materials, they will allow you to spend the whole day in motion without much discomfort.