You’ve dressed up, you’ve secured the perfect gift, and you’re ready to watch two people you love start their forever. A wedding is a day of profound meaning, a visual narrative you get to witness firsthand. But, let’s be honest: tucked into your pocket is a device capable of taking museum-worthy photos—your smartphone.
The rise of mobile cameras has completely changed how we attend weddings. This has led to a lot of confusion about wedding photo etiquette. Many experts in visual storytelling have since shared simple wedding photography rules for guests, and we’ll walk you through some of them. These rules aren’t meant to shame people’s snapping habits. Instead, they empower you to capture beautiful moments without detracting from the shots the happy couple paid their professional team to get.
So, today, let’s talk about how to be a great wedding guest and a considerate photographer, all at once.
This is the single most important piece of modern wedding photo etiquette.
The Don’t: Do not, under any circumstances, take photos during the ceremony.
The couple hired a professional photographer for a reason. When you hold up your iPhone or Samsung Galaxy phone, you risk stepping into the frame and ruining a once-in-a-lifetime shot—like the groom seeing the bride for the first time, or the exchange of rings. That little screen of yours blocks the view of other guests and, worse, blocks the professional photographer’s lens. You don’t want to be the reason the official photo of the first kiss features a glowing iPhone in the foreground.
The Do: Be present. Enjoy the moment with your eyes, not through a screen. Let the pros do their job, and you’ll find the entire event feels richer.
A common question we hear is, “Do you take wedding photos before or after the ceremony?”
The answer is overwhelmingly after. The reception is your time to shine!
The Do: Use the cocktail hour and reception to capture candid, personal, and fun shots. The pros are often busy with the formal portraits, leaving you with an open field to capture those little moments that they might miss:
You want your pictures to be frame-worthy, and that’s entirely possible. Here is a quick guide on how to take wedding photos on an iPhone (or any smartphone):
You’ve got a fantastic photo, and you’re eager to share. But there’s a crucial aspect of wedding photo sharing etiquette you must follow.
The Don’t: Do not post the wedding photos immediately.
The Do: Wait until the couple shares something themselves, or at least a full 24 hours. The couple should have the right to introduce their wedding to the world. Premature sharing can steal their thunder or reveal details they weren’t ready to share. You can share your candid photos if the couple has given you a wedding hashtag. Otherwise, be cautious and patient when deciding when to share wedding photos.
The main idea behind modern wedding photo etiquette is this: be a great guest first. Be mindful of what and when you share, be present, and show consideration for the experts.
Now, if you have taken wedding photos responsibly, the next good thing to do is frame and display or send them as photo gifts to the couple or their family members. The candid moments you capture on your smartphone—the tears, the laughter, the wild dance moves—are often the most heartfelt memories. Don’t let those beautiful, authentic shots stay buried in your camera roll. Select your favorites, print them, and give them the dignity of a beautiful custom frame from Livestock Framing.
Ready to immortalize that perfect snap? Start framing your favorite wedding memory today.
Let us help you frame your precious moments. Gallery quality, not gallery prices. With six sizes to choose from, the selection process is simplified, the cost is straightforward, and shipping is always free.
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