Why Vintage Photography Is Defining Modern Weddings

The cyclical nature of life means nothing is truly ever gone. Millennials brought back typewriters, steampunk aesthetic, and vinyl records, and Gen-Z is bringing back digital cameras and film photography.

Earlier this year, a trend began emerging in South Korea where people began purchasing early-generation iPhones (think 5s and 6s or even the first iPhone SE) and 2000s-era digital cameras for photography. Named ‘Youngtro’, a portmanteau of ‘young’ and ‘retro’, the trend has begun to catch fire all around the world. According to the Korean second-hand platform, Bungaejangter, listings for the iPhone 6s rose by 519% in 2023. Actual transactions also increased significantly. Old digital cameras are experiencing a similar surge in popularity. This movement is part of the larger Y2K aesthetic revival that began gaining momentum in 2023.

Gen Z is especially drawn to the raw, faded, and unfiltered quality of early digital photography. K-pop girl group NewJeans also helped popularise the look. Part of their music video for ‘Ditto’ was shot using a vintage digital camcorder. “We grew up during a time when digital cameras were being mass-produced. Everyone had a Kodak, Sony, or Minolta on family holidays. Those images didn’t just feel cool for their time—they had a distinct visual style with strong flash, high contrast, and unusual colour tones,” says Anand Rathi, Founder of photography studio Reels and Frames.

“Today, when we are taking more photos than ever before, the old-school look feels like a reminder of simpler times.”

From Casual Captures to Wedding Memories

While Youngtro fits right in with spontaneous weekend snaps and Instagram dumps, it is now being seen in wedding photography, too. Surprisingly, it works.

One of the top photography trends for the current wedding season is the use of film or disposable cameras. According to a report by The Knot, these formats are being embraced because they produce softer, more romantic, and personal images.

The Annual Pinterest Wedding Trends Report of 2025 also revealed that Gen-Z is tuning back time for their wedding inspiration, with searches for ‘90s Indian Bride’ seeing a surge in searches by 198% and ‘film wedding photos’ by 2258%. This resurgence may also be a response to the visual fatigue caused by years of perfectly staged, ultra-sharp wedding portraits. “The photos we take today are extremely clean and technically flawless,” says Stuti Sakhalkar Dasgupta, Founder of The Cheesecake Project. “My husband is a filmmaker, and I’ve been doing stills on set with him. One word I keep hearing is ‘sterilised.’ Everything looks too perfect.”

A similar trend took off on the Internet in October 2024. Originating in Hong Kong, vintage-style 1980s pre-wedding photos became a favourite on wedding mood boards. This aesthetic’s charm lay in its old-school feel and candid imperfection. “We’ve already seen couples asking for ’90s-style flash portraits, camcorder-style snippets, and even film grain overlays,” says Manvi Gandotra, Founder of 1Plus1 Studio. “Some brides and grooms are ditching traditional highlight reels in favour of wedding videos that feel like they were pulled from an old VHS tape. Whether it’s styling, decor, or documentation, the past is making a quiet but powerful comeback.”

Aside from using old technology to capture unforgettable moments on their big day, couples are also asking their wedding photographers to add a vintage-style grain to their pictures in the editing stage to capture the retro effect. “Many couples are moving away from staged, editorial-style photos and asking for images that feel more like real memories,” says Apoorv Mohan Shrivastav, Co-Founder of Plush Affairs. “It’s less about trends and more about emotion. Today, couples want their wedding moments to feel personal, warm, and intimate, and this style of photography beautifully reflects that.”

Manvi has a few suggestions for brides and grooms who might want to opt for this style for their wedding photographs this season. “You can ask your friends and family to use a handycam or a disposable film camera for behind-the-scenes moments or ask your photographer for a VHS-style wedding teaser or grainy photo edits that mimic old Kodak tones,” she says, “Flash photography can also be an option. Think paparazzi-style shots on dance floors or getting-ready moments—bright, direct, and beautifully chaotic.” Pervez Taufiq, Founder of P. Taufiq Photography, advises ‘Youngtro’ adopters to look for wedding photographers who are willing to shoot with Fuji-style cameras. “These lend themselves to filmic looks and have an amazing analogue feel but are still digital with all the amazing resolution we need for beautiful weddings. You can also find film photographers who embrace the darkroom with an authentic analogue methodology of shooting. This is a sure-fire way to get some amazing vintage-style photos!”

Nostalgia, Repackaged

Whether it’s a fleeting trend or something more lasting, only time will tell. But it all comes down to how people want to preserve their memories. “There is a saying about nostalgia. No one can understand the past like the people who have lived it,” says Anand. “Those of us who used these devices still enjoy looking back at the images we captured. But what is new today will one day be someone else’s nostalgia.” The Wedding Filmer’s Vishal Punjabi put his own spin on it. “People are now realising that, beyond the splendour of the day, it’s the memories captured on film that stay. Couples are prioritising storytelling, recognising that while jewellery may gather dust, and hospitality only lasts a few days, and then its over, memories remain vivid through film,” he tells Manifest.

For now, Gen Z is reaching for old iPhones, Canon PowerShots, and digital camcorders to document their lives. In a world of crisp and curated imagery, a little blur can bring surprising clarity to a memory.