Choosing a wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions when it comes to planning your wedding. There are a lot of factors that come into play when deciding on your venue- from the price, to the food and beverage packages but one of the major deciding factors is the aesthetic of the venue. The style of your venue will drastically change how your photos will look. As a photographer, these are some factors to consider when inspecting and choosing a venue for your wedding.
1. Dark Indoor Venues with dark walls
Venues with abundant natural light are a photographer’s dream– think large windows, glass walls, or outdoor spaces with soft shade. Natural lighting enhances skin tones and creates more flattering, cinematic images. Venues that are too dark can pose challenges unless your photographer is equipped for artificial lighting and experienced in colour balancing (even so, a lot of darker venues use warm lights and this can cause conflict with the neutral or ‘white’ temperature of the flash). Also some venues, such as churches, don’t allow flash so this may also be a consideration.
Barns, churches or converted warehouses are some of the more challenging venues for photography as the dark walls can often throw an orange hue in photos. Of course, not all of your wedding venue choices need to be based around photogenic qualities- but your dream venue is on the darker side, just keep in mind that there may be a compromise on image quality.
Choosing the Style Of Venue
Most people choose their venue first and then their photographer but I would actually think about it the other way around.
Different photographers have varying aesthetics that suit different styles of venues.
Some have a darker, moodier style and will suit venues with a more dynamic architecture like churches or historic buildings, while photographers with a brighter, clean style will suit venues with vibrant colours, large open windows with plenty of natural light and outdoor gardens.
If you love a Vogue photography style then look for venues that have European decor and architecture. Or if you prefer a Mediterranean vibe, then opt for an oceanside venue with plenty of blues and whites. If you prefer a more country styled wedding with lots of golden hues, then a rustic wedding venue is for you.
Browse Instagram and Pinterest to see which styles of weddings suit you, then you can find some photographers and check with venues they tend to work at. Photographer’s generally don’t display all of their work on their portfolio, only the ones that best suit their style. Simply because there are some venues that simply don’t match their style so it’s best to find a combination that works harmoniously together.
Backdrop Variety
One of the most compelling benefits of selecting a venue with backdrop variety is the range of visual storytelling it enables: from lush gardens and architectural textures to refined interior details, multiple settings within a single venue allow photographers to craft a narrative-rich photo sequence without relocation.
This kind of adaptability is invaluable—changing moods, lighting conditions, and compositions can be achieved swiftly, preserving both momentum and authenticity in the images. Venues offering this variety increase efficiency and creative potential, making it easier to balance portraiture with candid storytelling. On the flip side, venues that lack such diversity—those with repetitive, flat, or overly plain environments—can make images feel monotonous and uninspired. Avoid spaces with uninspiring walls, generic décor, or cramped layouts that restrict movement and limit compositional options. Without dynamic backdrops, photos can lack depth and emotional resonance, often resulting in visuals that feel static or lifeless rather than uniquely memorable.
Contingency Plan
As a Melbournion, we all know that the one thing you always need to plan for is the weather!
If you’re planning to have an outdoor venue, you will need to consider what happens if it rains. Having an indoor location or a marquee may drastically change the mood of your images, so ensuring you’ve factored these options into the stylistic choices is crucial.
But don’t fear!
The great thing about rain, is it can create some really interesting and creative photos. Some of my favourite wedding photos are in the rain, so if you’re worried about rain on the forecast- embrace it instead. Clear umbrellas create excellent props for rainy wedding photos, especially with a silhouetted, backlit shot with the raindrops shining like diamonds.
Rain also creates some amazing reflections and adds a whole new element to your photographs.
About Me
Vanessa Claire
Vanessa Claire is an engineer turned photographer. With 10 years of photography experience and a professionally trained background in landscape and travel, she has a unique skill for using natural light and composition to create remarkable images. Her vision is to create timeless imagery by utilising unique and creative compositions.
Outside of photography, Vanessa loves travelling, surfing the coast and sipping on a good Nebbiolo.
