Why You Should Add Film Wedding Photography to Your Package

June 6, 2025

Film Wedding photography is timeless. It carries emotion, softness, along with a nostalgic warmth that digital sometimes can’t replicate. It’s the imperfect edges, the gentle grain, and the honest tones that make film so compelling.

As a hybrid digital and film wedding photographer, I shoot both digital and film. I use 35mm and 120 film formats to preserve your memories in a way that feels slow, intentional, and true. When you incorporate film into your wedding package, you’re not just getting photos — you’re getting art. In addition, you are getting a wedding gallery with depth and variation.

What Is Hybrid Photography?

Hybrid photography means I shoot digital in addition to film throughout the day. For instance, I use film when I want to create something soft and organic. On the other hand, I shoot with digital when I need speed and flexibility.

For this reason, the two formats complement each other beautifully.

Wedding invitation suite and rings styled on linen, captured on 120mm film
1. Unique flat lay.
Bride adjusting veil near a window, shot on 35mm film.
2. Moments before the first look.

Why Film?

  • It’s authentic. You can’t duplicate film tones digitally.
  • It’s intentional. Every frame is composed with care.
  • It’s artistic. The final product feels editorial and elevated.

Why Film? First, film slows us down. That’s a good thing. It lets me look for the real moment instead of shooting 100 frames in hopes of one good one. Second, it usually gives me 24-36 photos per roll, so I am intentional with every shot.

Bridal portrait on wedding day, shot on 35mm film
3. A bridal portrait on 35mm film at RoseBridge Estate in Bastrop, TX.
Groom writing vows on wedding day, shot on 35mm film
4. Groom writing his vows, on 35mm film.

35mm vs. 120 Film

I use both types depending on the setting and lighting.

  • 35mm is perfect for movement, documentary shots, and quicker moments. On the other hand, we have 120 film.
  • 120 film (also known as medium format) is best for portraits and editorial detail — it produces richer depth and tone. 120 usually offers 10-16 photos, as a result, this makes each photograph authentic.
couple intimate portrait on wedding day shot on 35mm film
5. Intimate Couple Portrait on 35mm film at the Milton Inn.
wide shot of ceremony space shot on 35mm film
6. Ceremony Space captured on 35mm film.
intimate portrait and detail shot of bride's ring shot on 120 film.
7. Detail shot on 120 film.

What Film Captures Best on a Wedding Day

  • Getting ready: Quiet, reflective moments
  • Ceremony: Emotional and sacred
  • Portraits: Movement, intimacy, and light
  • Reception: The glow, the ambiance, the stillness
the olana in dallas texas venue captured on 35mm film
8. The Olana, in Dallas, Texas, captured on 35mm film.
golden hour wedding portrait session captured on 35mm film
9. Golden Hour Portrait at Chapel at Gruene on 35mm film.
groom rolex watch flat lay captured on 35mm film
10. Rolex watch, Groom detail shot captured on 35mm film.

The Aesthetic Advantage

To summarize, film doesn’t just take a photo — it makes a photo. You get creamy highlights, soft skin tones, beautiful grain, and colors that feel like memory.

Elegant reception table with florals and candles, 120mm film.
11. Reception Table captured on 35mm in Washington D.C.
First dance under lights, film photography
12. Private dance under the lights at The San Antonio Glass House.
Detailed wedding cake with sunlight hitting captured on 35mm film.
13. Cake detail shot captured on 35mm film.

Super 8 & Camcorder Add-Ons

Beyond still film photos, I also offer Super 8 film + vintage camcorder hybrid video.

  • Super 8 gives you 2–3 minute silent clips with dreamy motion
  • Camcorder brings audio like vows, toasts, and ambient moments

These are layered into your final gallery for a nostalgic film reel you can watch over and over.

Bridal bouquet of white and blush flowers, shot on film.
14. Wedding florals captured on 35mm film.
Behind-the-scenes moment of Super 8 camera filming.
15. Super 8 still shot from an intimate wedding in Sparks, MD.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, digital is amazing — and reliable — and it allows for instant preview. But film is soul. It’s storytelling. Adding film wedding photography into your package gives your wedding gallery an editorial, cinematic feeling.

Want to see what a full hybrid gallery looks like? Let’s connect. I’d love to walk you through the beauty of digital + film combined.

Venues & Vendors Featured:

Photos:

1, 3, 13 Venue: Rose Bridge Estate https://rosebridgeestate.com/, Wedding Planner: https://www.sophieella.com/, Florals: Birdie Floral Studio https://www.instagram.com/birdie.creative/?hl=en, Gown: Olivia Grace Bridal https://oliviagracebridalshop.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21991493974&gbraid=0AAAAADCfukzcKxkVLmeiBI7WRpHGOgAfy&gclid=CjwKCAjwo4rCBhAbEiwAxhJlCSfNVi1vE7PSJwlaqsxO5–btp8V899xcVncFRVtvAHNMgZQPBPy4hoC38IQAvD_BwE

4, 9, 10 Venue: The Chapel at Gruene https://chapelatgruene.com/

5, 14, 15 Venue: The Milton Inn, https://www.themiltoninn.com/

12 Venue: The San Antonio Glasshouse, https://www.sanantonioglasshouse.com/

6 Venue: Sophie’s Gasthaus https://sophiesgasthaus.com/

8 Venue: The Olana, https://waltersweddingestates.com/venues/the-olana-hickory-creek/

11 Reception: Maketto https://maketto1351.com/

4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, Film Development by: Holland Photo https://www.hollandphoto.com/