There are weddings that begin in stately venues and end with a bouquet toss at midnight. And then there are weddings that begin… well, who knows where? That all depends on the couple. These are what people call a non-traditional wedding, sometimes an unusual wedding. I just call them quirky.
No, I haven’t (yet) photographed a couple saying their vows on a Scottish cliff, but I have roamed all over the Isle of Skye.
I haven’t photographed a couple drifting down a Norwegian fjord on a raft, but I have sailed through the Lysefjord — yes, that fjord, the one watched over by the huge Preikestolen cliff.
And honestly? What a wedding that would be. Standing on Preikestolen, with that breathtaking view behind you… now that’s a vow worth whispering into the wind.
But let’s be clear — not every unusual wedding needs a mountain or a desert. I haven’t photographed a wedding where everyone wore black, or one where red was the only allowed colour. I haven’t captured a ceremony with zombie makeup or a full-on steampunk wedding with goggles, gears and Victorian waistcoats.
But the idea of it? Yes, please.
Because being non-traditional isn’t just about where you get married. It’s also about how you show up. The mood you create. The tiny rebellious details. Whether it’s a theme, a dress code, a shared obsession or just a refusal to do things the “proper” way — that’s where the magic lives.
And if you’re planning a vampire-elopement-meets-discopunk rave… I have a camera and zero judgment.
I have captured the joy of raindrops falling as vows were spoken at a festival-style wedding, the quiet magic of a handfasting on a farm, and a heartfelt moment in a Cardiff park after a quiet registry ceremony.
They weren’t typical. That’s why they were unforgettable.
So What Is a Non-Traditional Wedding?
Technically speaking, it’s a celebration that doesn’t follow the usual rules. No standard timeline. No must-have traditions. Sometimes there’s no wedding cake. Sometimes there’s no formal ceremony at all.
From behind the lens, a non-traditional wedding feels less like an event and more like a jazz improvisation — spontaneous, a little wild, and always full of surprises.
There’s no conductor. Just rhythm and instinct. The guests might be sitting on logs. The couple might arrive in hiking boots. The “altar” might be a patch of moss or a patch of sky.
As a candid wedding photographer, I don’t follow a script — I follow energy. I look for the moment when someone laughs with their whole body, or when a nervous hand reaches for another without thinking.
These are the shots you won’t find on Pinterest — but they’re the ones you’ll remember.
How Far Are We Willing to Go?
I’ll be honest: my imagination doesn’t come with limits.
If someone wants to say “yes” on a frozen Lake Baikal, I’ll start packing (though yes, geopolitics might get in the way).
If it’s Pen y Fan at sunrise — count me in, camera in hand and flask at the ready.
If you’re dreaming of exchanging vows on the Annapurna Circuit or at Everest Base Camp — I’m there.
If you’re thinking of jumping off a camel in the Moroccan desert to say “I do” — let’s make it epic.
Sure, that’s leaning into destination wedding or even adventure wedding territory — the kind where the unexpected becomes unforgettable. But really, this isn’t just about epic locations. It’s about choosing to do things your way, no matter what others expect. Even if it means Aunt Margaret doesn’t approve.
Is an Unusual Wedding Right for Everyone?
Nope. And that’s okay.
Planning a non-traditional wedding takes courage. It can be messy, spontaneous, unpredictable — and incredibly freeing.
You don’t need an international flight to do it. Some of the most moving ceremonies happen:
- In a forest with only the trees as guests,
- In a rented cabin by the lake,
- In a greenhouse, a pub, or your nan’s back garden.
- Or in a seaside hotel where chaos comes free — yes, Fawlty Towers.
An unusual wedding isn’t defined by where it happens — in fact, some couples skip the venue altogether. A wedding without a wedding venue can be just as meaningful, if not more.
It’s all about who you are and how you want to celebrate your love.
That said, the location still matters — not because it has to be dramatic or picture-perfect, but because it frames the story.
A place can amplify what you feel. It can echo your personalities, your memories, or simply your shared sense of adventure.
A windswept clifftop might feel like freedom. A tiny woodland clearing might feel like home. A greenhouse, a beach, a boat, a pub — these aren’t just backdrops. They’re emotional landscapes.
They shape the atmosphere, the light, the sound. And as a photographer, I read them like a second script: silent, but full of meaning.
What Kind of Photographer Fits This Kind of Wedding?
Not one who’ll ask you to smile three times before you kiss. (Definitely not me.)
But if you’re looking for a documentary wedding photographer who will hike up a hill, lie in the grass, dodge confetti and never tell you to pose — we might be a good match.
As a candid wedding photographer, I don’t script your day. I observe. I wait. I catch the in-between moments that end up meaning the most.
When I’m photographing a day like this, I’m inspired with every frame.
Every unscripted second, every gust of wind, every improvised dance move — they all fuel the way I see, the way I shoot.
It’s not just storytelling. It’s co-creating something wild, personal, and unforgettable — one unpredictable moment at a time.
Let’s Be Honest: This Might Be the Beginning
If you’re dreaming up a wedding that doesn’t follow the script — no endless table rounds, no choreographed first dance, no matching chair covers — then you already have my attention.
And if your plans sound a little wild, a little offbeat, maybe even a little “wait… can we really do that?” — then we should absolutely talk.
The further you go from tradition, the more fired up I get to photograph it.
Your story deserves to be captured in a way that’s as bold, unpredictable, and unapologetically you as the day itself.
So if your wedding feels more like an adventure than a schedule — I’m in.
Heya.
This is my own story in order to tell here. I already opted to have a non traditional non religious wedding. It took place earlier in the summer at a hotel with a spa. And it was a lot of fun. I had a lot of board and card games and books too. They were on all of the tables in question as well. Best wishes.
I loved it. I invited only a hundred and fifty people. Some of them failed to come however. Since it was on a Friday in early summer we did a photo shoot outside on the grounds of the hotel. The actual wedding started at half past twelve with the speeches.
At half past one we did a photo shoot and the games. At four we went to a early dinner. It was a three course meal. That took nearly two hours in all. The food was in lots of hampers.
Around six in the evening was the dancing and so on.
I love that you had board games and books on the tables – such a brilliant non-traditional touch! It’s exactly the kind of unusual wedding detail that makes a day unique. The whole flow of your celebration sounds wonderfully relaxed, and that’s the kind of atmosphere where candid wedding photography really comes alive. Thank you for sharing your story – proof that weddings don’t need a script to be unforgettable.