Editorial vs Documentary Wedding Photography: Which Style Should You Choose?

In the world of wedding photography, there is an ongoing debate between the Editorial and Documentary style. We would like to share our opinion, based on our experience photographing many events in Cancun, Riviera Maya, and Tulum. Our style is a blend of both approaches, allowing us to capture emotions and moments while portraying the couple’s beauty with images worthy of a magazine

Wedding photography is not just a memory—it’s a true visual story of your special day. Every photographer has their own approach and style, and one of the most important decisions couples face is this: should you choose an editorial, elegant, and polished look, or a documentary, natural, and spontaneous one?

Editorial Wedding Photography

Editorial photography takes inspiration from fashion and lifestyle magazines. Each image is crafted to look like part of a glossy photoshoot, with careful attention to lighting, poses, and details.
The photographer guides the couple, suggesting poses and settings that enhance the beauty of the moment. The result is elegant, refined photos with a cinematic feel—perfect for couples who want an album that looks like it came straight out of a high-fashion magazine.

Keywords: glamour, aesthetics, perfection, elegance.

Documentary Wedding Photography

The documentary or reportage approach, on the other hand, is inspired by photojournalism. Here, the photographer becomes a silent observer, capturing the authentic moments of the day without interference.
Emotions, glances, bursts of laughter, or tears of joy—all are caught naturally, resulting in images that are genuine, emotional, and full of meaning. There are no staged poses, just real moments that tell the story of the wedding exactly as it happened.

Keywords: authenticity, spontaneity, emotion, storytelling.

Which Style is Right for You?

The choice depends on your personality and the kind of memory you want to keep:

If you love elegance, aesthetics, and want to feel like the stars of a fashion shoot, the editorial style is ideal.

If you prefer to relive the raw emotions and authentic moments of the day, the documentary style is the best choice.

Many photographers today know how to blend the two approaches: offering couples glamorous, styled shots while also preserving the spontaneity and freshness of documentary photography.

Photo by Alessandro Banchelli

Credit https://www.photostudioab.com/