Photographers are an important part of weddings. They capture beautiful memories that last forever. But what do photographers wear to weddings? Let’s explore this question together!

The dress code for a wedding photographer is pretty strict.

The dress code for a wedding photographer is pretty strict. You need to be professional, but also look like you belong. I mean, the couple paid good money to get you there, so they’re not just going to take any old person with a camera and a black t-shirt.

It’s best to stick to dark, muted colours like navy, olive or brown.

If you’re the photographer, your outfit should be professional but not too flashy. You want to look presentable and good-looking without standing out from the crowd too much.

Some things to avoid wearing:

  • Bright or flashy colours like yellow, orange or red (unless you’re doing a bold pop of colour for a particular effect).
  • Anything too casual—jeans are off-limits unless it’s an outdoor wedding.
  • Anything too formal—no suits unless you’re also going to be taking photos of people in suits! Just don’t go overboard on dressing up; we all want our photographs taken by someone who looks like they belong there as an attending guest rather than as just another guest who happened upon a camera by accident…unless that’s what you’re going for!? If so then go ahead! You do you!
Headshot of young dark-skinned man in beige jacket
Headshot of young dark-skinned man in beige jacket

Jeans can be acceptable but they should be dark and new.

As a rule of thumb, jeans can be acceptable but they should be dark and new. Any other color or style should be avoided. Jeans are not the only thing that photographers wear to weddings, so make sure yours are free of holes, tears and stains. Also make sure they’re clean—you don’t have to break out the iron just yet—but if you have some old pairs lying around with holes in them that you’re holding onto because they’re your favorites (or they used to fit better), then it might be time for an upgrade before the big day arrives!

Try to stay away from anything branded, like hoodies or shirts that show off the name of a sports team.

  • Try to stay away from anything branded, like hoodies or shirts that show off the name of a sports team.
  • Don’t wear anything with a logo.
  • Don’t wear anything with a college name.
  • Don’t wear anything with a company name.
  • Don’t wear anything with a movie character’s name on it (like Minions).

Flat shoes are best since you’ll be standing most of the day.

You’ll be on your feet all day and if you’re like me, that means you’ll end up with blisters. It can get really bad when it’s rainy, so just make sure to bring comfortable shoes with a rubber sole. You don’t have to worry about heels because photographers don’t wear high heels at weddings!

It’s also nice to have some flats or sandals in case we need to move around quickly at any given moment. Remember: I’m not just standing still during an event, but also running around and chasing after people who are getting married!

You’re encouraged to wear a tie and jacket if the wedding is formal.

The young in spectacles men straightens his tie, his face unshaven
wear a tie and jacket

You’re encouraged to wear a tie and jacket if the wedding is formal. If it’s not formal, you can get away with wearing a shirt and pants or just dress up in your favorite outfit. Many photographers use their own judgement when deciding what to wear, but these are some general guidelines that will help you decide if the event calls for business casual or something more traditional.

If the couple is planning an outdoor wedding during peak summer months (June through August), you might want to consider wearing long-sleeved shirts instead of short sleeves so as not to sweat through them during photos (and also because it’s hot AF outside!).

Make sure your hair looks neat and clean.

Make sure your hair looks neat and clean.

This might seem self-explanatory, but hear us out: some photographers are known for their scruffy beards and unkempt manes. While this may work for some genres of photography, weddings are not one of them. Your hair should be freshly washed, styled in a way that suits the event and you personally, and the groom—not to mention it should match your outfit!

Tattoos should be covered up.

Tattoos are a common option for people in the creative industries, but they can be distracting to those around you at a wedding.

The bride and groom want their guests to focus on them, not on your tattoo. The other guests want to feel comfortable in their clothes and enjoy themselves without being distracted by your ink. The officiant wants you to honor this moment as best as you can without worrying about how it might affect his or her performance. And most importantly, your photographer wants all of these things too!

If you have a visible tattoo that will distract from what’s happening around you (for example: a large full-body suit of armor or an entire dragon covering one arm), consider covering it up with clothing or makeup.

If you have facial piercings take them out.

If you have facial piercings, take them out. As long as you’re in the wedding party or otherwise close with the bride and groom and are in a place where it’s appropriate to do so, consider covering up tattoos if they’re visible.

If you have a beard or mustache, trim them down as much as possible so that they’re neat and tidy. This can help ensure that photos look great!

At least in my area, you really do need to dress up for weddings even though it’s not something people always think about when hiring a photographer.

The first thing to know is that you’ll be expected to dress up. In my area (the Pacific Northwest), it’s a very strict dress code and you’ll be in trouble if you show up in jeans or sneakers. It might be more relaxed elsewhere, but it’s worth checking with your clients ahead of time to make sure they’re okay with it.

I think most people don’t really think about this until they’re hiring someone—maybe because they assume photographers are always dressed casually and won’t mind doing an informal shoot as long as there are no guests around—but it’s important to realize that the opposite is true: People will judge how well you do by how much effort you put into the event itself!

As a photographer, you want to try and blend in with the crowd and not stand out for the wrong reasons. The most important thing is that your clothes are clean, tidy and appropriate for the occasion – don’t be tempted to wear anything too casual or tacky as this will make it look like you’re not taking things seriously.