I would like to say that all the great shots I create with my camera are due to my own skills and keen eye. But, sometimes, it’s not just that. It’s the combination of skill, timing, and the magic of the subject I’m capturing. This can be anything from a beach sunset, to a mountaintop sunrise or a snow-covered meadow. For this wedding photo session, the couple themselves were pure magic! Check out how this film photography project became the perfect combination of film photography, digital photos, and the magical love of the couple!

Film Wedding Photography: A Story So Worth Telling

One of  the ways that Gwen and Trent wanted to tell their wedding day story was in adding film photography onto their wedding package. Incorporating a film photography project as part of the wedding day photography is a way to make your photos both unique and timeless.

Wedding film photography allows me to not only capture more of your wedding day, but also to photograph your wedding differently. Gwen and Trent included two rolls of film (36 exposures each on Kodak Portra 400 Color film) in their wedding which is a standard addition to a wedding package.

Gwen loves the nostalgic feel of life and knew she would love some film photos in addition to her digital images. I think two rolls is a perfect amount of film for a day if you want just a hint of film. It’s enough to capture at least one or two shots from every important part of the wedding events and is a super fun way to relive the day!

Read more right here about the cameras I use to shoot film photography and my entire philosophy behind providing it as an add-on to my wedding photography packages. I also shoot a lot of film for my personal work and I love to share it and even sell it in physical form as postcards! It’s such a fun way to capture photos!

A Film Photography Project Brings a Couple’s Personality to Life

It’s easy to capture a unique and timeless film photography project when a couple is already telling their wedding story in a completely personal way. These two began their day with so much laughter when one of the groomsmen pranked Trent during the first look. While Trent was waiting, a groomsman put on a funny thrifted wedding dress. He then surprised Trent when the groom was expecting to see his bride! I have never seen someone laugh so hard! It was such a fun way to relieve stress and add even more joy to the day.

One particular element I loved that incorporated their personalities was a creative update to the reception table numbers. Gwen and Trent named each table after music albums that they loved and the seating chart was made with old vinyl records! One of the tables was named “Bigger Than Both of Us” by Hall & Oates and another was called “Songs in the Key of Life” by Stevie Wonder. It was so fun to see their personalities shine through in this way. 

This was such special day that it was almost impossible to pick a favorite highlight. One of the cutest parts was that instead of renting glassware, the couple collected unique coffee mugs that hung on a custom wall (built by a friend) with hooks to display them. Each guest selected a mug to use for the night, and then it doubled as their wedding favor!

The Perfect Setting for a Memory-Making Day

Gwen and Trent’s wedding venue also worked as the ideal setting to capture their story. It’s a beautiful piece of property just north of Santa Barbara that used to be one of the largest working orchid farms in California. Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm is a stunning venue that has two main greenhouses. One is an empty building that’s completely customizable for receptions and indoor ceremonies. The other that the couple used for their real and fake first looks is a working greenhouse that grows beautiful plant life and flowers.

About half a mile from the greenhouses there is an outdoor ceremony site overlooking the Gaviota Coast. It is quite literally one of the most beautiful ceremony sites I’ve ever seen. It’s positioned perfectly for sunset behind the ceremony area, and there are many options for taking portraits following the ceremony! 

Why You Should Add Film Photography to Your Wedding

From my initial conversations with the couple, I could tell that the day was going to be a special one. It absolutely was! I couldn’t help but be obsessed with both of them by the end of it! I’ll never get over this day because of all the beautiful moments we captured both digitally and on film.

In creating a film photography project, nothing beats the feeling of taking photos and not seeing them right away. Once you receive the developed film scans you’re able to relive all the tiny moments through these images. Film brings back the nostalgia that sometimes gets lost in the digital. It tells your story in an imperfect, unfiltered way, and that is something that you can’t take away. It’s timeless and I’ll never get enough of it! 

Considering adding film to your wedding package? I would love to talk about it! Until then, enjoy the photos below that were all captured on film from this gorgeous day!

The Team

Photography | Photos by Kmac
Planner | Arches Wedding and Event Coordinating
Venue | Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm
DJ | Albright Entertainment
Florist | Dulce Floral Design
Rentals | Bright Event Rentals