How I Choose the Best Film Format for Each Wedding Photo

35mm, Medium Format or Polaroid film?

In my work as a film wedding photographer, I use three main types of film—35mm, medium format (120mm), and Polaroid—each with its own distinct look, pace, and purpose. Together, they tell a complete visual story. Understanding these formats not only gives you insight into how I work—it helps you fall deeper in love with the art that goes into capturing your wedding day. So, what’s the difference between them? Here you'll see examples of all three film formats in the same wedding shoot and why I use each one.

Let’s step behind the lens.

35mm Film: Documentary Style

If film were members of your wedding crew, 35mm would be the DJ — quick-witted, expressive, and deeply human. It's the format we photographers use for documentary - style captures of your special day.

This format is the most familiar to many. It's the one most family snapshots were made on. It's the film of everyday life, love, and laughter—made for catching emotion on the move.

Why I use 35mm:
35mm is compact and efficient, which means I can move with you, seamlessly capturing spontaneous, real-life moments as they unfold. A roll gives me 36 exposures, allowing for flexibility and flow. It's ideal for the busier, more kinetic parts of the wedding day.

You’ll see me reach for it when:

You’re laughing mid-toast with your bridesmaids
Your uncle is going full send after too many sips
Your grandmother is wiping away a tear during the ceremony
You’re sneaking a moment alone between events

The look:
35mm images tend to be slightly grainier, with more texture. It feels raw in the best way—like an honest memory preserved, not a scene styled for perfection. It handles light well, especially natural light, and translates skin tones beautifully when paired with the right stock.

It gives a sense of rhythm to the story—filling in the in-between beats, catching the laughter between the posed moments, and preserving the day’s true energy.

Pro insight:
One of the reasons I love 35mm so much is because it’s forgiving in the best way—it lets me work with changing conditions. Wind, movement, shifting sunlight, laughter that can’t be posed—this is where 35mm thrives.

Medium Format: The Fine Art Frame

While 35mm tells the story in verses, medium format captures the full poetry of the scene. If 35mm is a journal, medium format is a painting.

Why I use medium format:
Medium format film (often 120 film) uses a larger negative, which results in higher resolution, richer tones, and incredible detail. Each roll typically holds 10–16 frames, which means every shot has to count.

This format forces me to slow down—and that’s a good thing. It’s ideal for quiet, intentional moments when we want the image to feel elevated and editorial. You'll see me use medium format when:

We’re capturing your couple portraits in golden light
You’re slipping on heirloom jewelry passed down for generations
I’m styling your invitation suite, florals, and rings
The ceremony is beginning and I want every detail perfect

The look:
The images feel creamy, romantic, and luxurious. The colors are rich yet soft. The depth of field is shallow, meaning you get that dreamy background blur that makes your portraits pop. It’s cinematic without trying too hard.

Medium format excels in:

Beautiful light
Stillness
Fine details (lace, textures, florals, hands held together)

Pro insight:
Because of the slower pace, medium format allows for deeper connection. When I photograph you on medium format, I’m not clicking away—I’m taking one intentional frame, waiting for the moment when your expression softens, your shoulders relax, and the real you shows up.

Polaroid: The Editorial Keepsake

Then, there’s Polaroid—the rebel, the artist, the soul of nostalgia.

Polaroids are the opposite of polished. They’re instant, tangible, and unpredictable. They capture a feeling as much as a picture. That imperfection? It’s the point.

Why I use Polaroid:
Polaroid film (or instant film like Fujifilm Instax) gives us something no other format does: an editorial style, one-of-a-kind image, physically present within minutes. It’s not just a photo—it’s a memory you can hold right now.

I use Polaroids sparingly, but with intention. Moments I reserve for Polaroid include:

A private first look with just the two of you
The last photo before I leave for the night
A quiet pause while getting ready
A shared smile with a grandparent

The look:
Soft, slightly washed out, sometimes light-leaked or imperfectly framed—but always full of soul. That’s the beauty. It’s not about technical perfection—it’s about emotional resonance.

Pro insight:
Polaroids also make amazing gifts. I’ll sometimes tuck a few into your keepsake box or hand you one before the night ends, so you have a piece of your day to hold onto before the full gallery arrives.

When Film Becomes Friends

What makes these three formats special isn’t just how they look—it’s how they work together.

Your wedding day isn’t one note—it’s a full song, with tempo changes, highs and lows, intimate solos, and sweeping choruses. Each film type brings a different instrument to that performance.

35mm = rhythm and realism
Medium format = elegance and depth
Polaroid = immediacy and emotion

Using all three gives you a complete story—one that feels rich, layered, and honest. One that doesn’t just show what your day looked like, but how it felt.

Behind the Scenes: My Workflow

Couples often ask how I juggle multiple cameras and film types on a wedding day. The truth is: it’s all about intuition and preparation.

I come to every wedding with:

Multiple pre-loaded cameras
Backup film for changing light conditions
A shooting plan for portraits, details, and moments
Room for spontaneity (because that’s where the magic lives)

I also work closely with planners and coordinators to build time for slower film formats like medium format. And I’m constantly reading the light—light is film's best friend, but it also demands respect.

What this means for you: you get to be fully present while I quietly make art around you, knowing when to move quickly and when to pause. You don't have to know which camera I’m using—you just get to live your day. I'll take care of the rest.

If you're drawn to film photography, if you love the idea of your story told with intention and soul, I’d love to connect.

Let’s create something timeless—on real film, with real feeling.

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