They can be controversial, but I still love styled shoots: here’s why.

Published by Claire Gould on September 8, 2025

It’s interesting how angry some wedding suppliers get about styled shoots – at least from the forum chats and Facebook groups I’ve seen. Anyone would think styled photoshoots were some kind of evil plot to dupe couples into booking dodgy suppliers. The reality is the opposite: all of the styled shoots I’ve been involved with have been put together by amazing creatives looking for a way to showcase their ideas and share inspiration with couples. Styled shoots as I see them are a healthy, inspiring, and bloody gorgeous way for the industry to show YOU how they make weddings look amazing. So if you stumble across one of those Reddits suggesting styled shoots are “disingenuous at best”… here’s a balanced view from me – as a wedding blogger and a wedding creative.

As well as writing English Wedding, I’m a calligrapher and wedding stationer. This image was from a styled photoshoot at Ghyll Barn, taken by Hannah Hall Photography. See the full supplier list below, and tap to see this deepest winter wedding inspiration on our blog.

Styled shoots are how we show you ideas

I’m a calligrapher. I write beautiful menus, place names and table plans for weddings. I can design gorgeous samples in trending colour palettes – but getting decent photos is hard. Collaborating with other creatives is how I show you what I can do. The same applies for cake designers, florists, hair and make up artists, stylists, dress designers and so on. At styled shoots we get to show off the most amazing designs we can create, and share them with you.

Styled shoots make dream teams – and that matters for weddings

Collaborating on a styled photoshoot is a lovely way for suppliers and photographers to connect, without the pressure of a wedding where everyone is super busy, and cake makers / florists might arrive super early, leaving before the ceremony. At a styled shoot, we all have time to talk, to catch up – and to get to know each other. I’ve been at styled shoots and seen how hard other suppliers work: photographers, stylists and floral designers I admire you SO much. And this all means we can recommend each other to our couples, with the genuine knowledge that we’re recommending people who care deeply about the weddings they work on.

Styled shoots should be free for suppliers…

… or at least, those who can afford to might chip in for model fees or anything that needs to be bought in. The whole thing of ‘portfolio building workshops’ began when I was already a wedding blogger, and honestly I have mixed feelings about these. I love seeing styled shoots where local suppliers have joined forces – for all the reasons I just mentioned. But if a dozen photographers have paid to travel to France where they’ll work with suppliers they’ll never meet again… I don’t understand the added value. (There’s a little to be said for collaboration over competition, and photographers sharing experiences and techniques and learning from each other, perhaps.)

No one should ever claim a styled shoot as a wedding

This does make me angry – but it’s very rare. Some inexperienced photographers will publish images from styled shoots as though they were weddings. Honest suppliers and bloggers will always say when the images they share are from a styled photoshoot. There’s a secret to recognising styled shoot images. In the words of Ariel at Offbeat Wed, “You can almost always spot a styled shoot: everyone looks perfect, and there seems to be a lack of guests at the “wedding.”” Very occasionally I’ve been sent styled shoots with a write up that skirts around the truth – and I will always make it super, super clear that it’s an editorial shoot and not a real wedding.

Styled shoots are amazing for content – and all suppliers need to be seen

In the age of content creation, and the explosion of BTS footage I’m seeing from suppliers on instagram, a styled shoot is a lovely opportunity for wedding creatives to generate content. We all have to be prolific on social media these days – and that’s hard. Creating BTS footage while a wedding is happening, or under the time pressures of setting up before a wedding, is a lot for creatives and photographers to have to do. Styled shoots are a more relaxed environment for doing this – and those stunning images can be used for blog posts, guest articles on other websites, and to get features on major wedding blogs where visuals are really key. If you’re a supplier and want to read around this, check our blog wedding SEO tips that actually work!

Styled shoots for diversity and inclusivity

Since 2020 I’ve had a Diversity first pledge on English Wedding. It’s really important to try and showcase as many diverse weddings and photoshoots on blogs as possible. (I wish I got more submissions – if you’re a photographer with a wedding or photoshoot that fits this pledge, please submit to the blog!) The truth is, even bridal designers have gradually moved away from using Black and Asian models since 2020, and the lack of disabled couples on mainstream blogs is a problem. (See above – submit if you can!)

From a supplier’s perspective, having a portfolio of images which reflects diversity and inclusivity is important. Collaborating on a styled shoot can be a way to kickstart bookings from couples other than white, heterosexual couples – and a way to show that this is important to you and your business.

Styled photoshoots can evolve your wedding business

If you’re looking to reach more diverse couples, or to take more bookings from a local venue you love, then styled photoshoots can evolve your wedding business to where you want it to be. I adore styled shoots as a supplier because they’re a rare chance to catch up with lovely people working in weddings locally, to explore new venues and meet new people – and to have fun. There’s nothing lovelier than a creative day out with other people who are self-employed working in weddings.

A last word: do “brides eat the BS”?!

The answer is no. This came from that Reddit I mentioned at the top of this article. A photographer (I assume) implied that suppliers were passing off images from shoots as real weddings, and that “brides eat the BS” – i.e., that brides believe it’s real. How rude!!! I like to credit both grooms and brides with more savvy than that. You’re not out there looking at styled photoshoots with tons of florals and layer upon layer of styling, and thinking it’ll all cost a couple of hundred quid!

So styled shoots, presented honestly, can provide inspiration. It’s your actual conversations with your florist, venue stylist and stationer which will help you decide how you actually style your wedding. Balance is important, but inspiration is a beautiful place to begin – and that’s why I love styled wedding shoots!

Tap here if you have a styled photoshoot to submit to English Wedding