Traditional vs modern wedding: in this article I share my experience as a wedding photographer at dozens of successful weddings that looked exactly as the couples wanted: simple, refined, elegant and unconventional.
When everything goes to plan, we are all happy and can focus more on creativity. So let’s begin!
A different kind of wedding: what kind of weddings do couples choose today?
Motto: “You can have a lovely, modern wedding that feels like you, on one condition: care more about what makes you happy and less about what might displease others.”
If the only certainty in life is that things keep changing, weddings are no exception. In recent years I have seen a clear move towards the unconventional in everything about the ceremony and the party.
Conventional events have turned into unique afternoons and evenings full of surprises, with a charm that comes from the perfect blend of the couple, the guests and everything else.
The civil ceremony: from old to gold
Many unconventional couples have said goodbye to the traditional civil ceremony and chosen venues or destinations that truly reflect their vision. I have often photographed civil ceremonies in gardens, on lake pontoons or on tastefully decorated outdoor terraces.
Although I have photographed hundreds of weddings and can say I have “seen it all”, a few themes inspired me and “worked” perfectly with me, helping me create some of my most original photographs:
Themed weddings
More and more popular. Here are a few ideas for unusual venues:
Beach wedding
The perfect way to get into the summer mood and feel like you are in a film, with the sound of the waves and the sea in the background. A beautiful dream that is easier and easier to make real.
The good news is that you have a wide range of options: from the Romanian seaside, Constanța, Mamaia, Saturn, Neptun or Olimp, to the beautiful beaches of Greece or, if you love exotic landscapes, Bali or the Bahamas.
Outdoor wedding
Being close to nature is more and more in demand for an outdoor wedding, and I understand why: away from the busy city, near the forest, the natural light is ideal for photographs and the atmosphere is perfect.
Imagine getting married in a romantic place next to a forest or in a clearing, with all the facilities you need for an unforgettable party.
Venues like these usually offer packages that cover everything, from catering, decor and outdoor ceremonies to entertainment and bartending, so all you have to do is put relaxation and fun first.
Pontoon wedding
What more could you want than a wedding on a pontoon, enjoying the beauty of the lake, and in the evening the cool air that settles over the water after a hot summer day?
Imagine a wedding party at night, reflected in the waters of a lake… spoiler alert: a DREAM!
With the lake view and an elegant tent decorated with fairy lights above you, you will feel like you are in a fairy tale. The venue itself adds charm to your wedding.
Now that we agree that venues that break the traditional pattern are the new deal, let’s look at customs that are less common at Romanian weddings…
Traditional vs modern wedding
The elements that make the difference
Getting ready
This is when I, as the photographer, become indispensable, because the morning preparations are where I capture the most genuine emotions. There are no strict rules for getting ready. What matters most is a relaxed atmosphere, with people you love who help you calm your nerves.
Still, I have a few small suggestions that make a difference, for both brides and grooms:
- Wake up in a beautiful hotel room with a charming view: it is the perfect place for the getting-ready photos of the bride or groom.
- Ask the people closest to you to be there. This morning will probably be the only quiet, intimate moment of a long and emotional day, so the support of someone close is very welcome.
- Before the photographer arrives, hang the wedding dress and the groom’s suit somewhere nice, prepare the shoes and lay out the accessories and every detail you want in the photographs.
To your favourite songs, we will photograph frames you will remember for a lifetime, so smiles and charm will be your best friends.
First look
One of the high points, and one of the most important moments of the wedding day, can be the first look. Imagine it: on your wedding day, your bride has done her make-up, has the hairstyle she wanted, the dress she dreamed of, and everything is as she imagined. You, the groom, have not seen her in her wedding dress until now. To enjoy the moment together, you meet each other’s eyes and see each other more beautiful than ever, full of emotion.
This moment is not staged, because no one can force a tear or a smile: everything happens naturally and spontaneously. From experience, these are the frames with the strongest emotion.
A letter to your better half
The letter you read to your partner on your wedding day is a way to express your love on such a meaningful day. It is easy to get emotional and fill pages with your strongest feelings, but you may not have time to read a long letter. Keep it short and focused on the points that will make your day more special.
Tips? Be honest and write what you feel in that moment, and if you feel like it, you can even improvise on the spot.
A few ideas you can include: a short memory of how your relationship began, why you will say a confident YES, what you love about them, your dreams for the future and, finally, a promise you will both remember in years to come.
The wedding speech
Why have a speech? Because it can be one of the best moments of the day to express your feelings and share your happiness with everyone.
It can also be the moment to say out loud how grateful you are for the person you love, so if you want to surprise everyone with an original speech, you need a pen, a little inspiration and a little time to put your thoughts on paper. The result will be truly fabulous.
My suggestion: leave room for speeches at the start of the party, while everyone is seated and it is still relatively quiet.
Buffet or plated menu?
How can you replace the classic plated menu that guests at Romanian weddings are used to?
Instead of the long series of courses, choose a buffet wedding menu. Your guests get a much wider choice of dishes and pick what they like most, according to their own taste.
Personalise the space your way
Details turn an ordinary wedding into a memorable one.
For example, instead of the classic round restaurant tables with plastic decor or artificial flowers, you can choose long, rectangular wooden tables, left bare and decorated with candles and flowers as the centrepieces.
These details make the atmosphere much less formal and encourage guests to mingle not only on the dance floor but also around the food.
Reminder: decor is very important, because it creates an intimate setting, perfect for a small wedding.
In the end, whether you prefer a more traditional party or a relaxed and intimate one, weddings remain the events that keep the essence of love and the bond between two people.
Keep your heart and mind open to new challenges and, why not, embrace the new trends.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture of what it means to plan a traditional vs modern wedding. My advice is to organise a wedding that truly represents you in every way.
If you are planning your wedding and have not booked a wedding photographer yet, you can consider me. Browse my wedding galleries; on request I can send you complete wedding galleries, to make the decision easier. I travel both in Romania and abroad, wherever you choose to hold your dream wedding.
Distance is not a problem when setting the important details: we can talk by phone or WhatsApp, Skype or FaceTime. You tell me what you expect and how you want your photographs to look, and I share my experience. Together we put together the right offer for you. Write to me.
