Pre-wedding &
  Elopement
photography in Lisbon

A post-wedding photo shoot – often called an elopement session in Europe and the US – doesn't include the wedding itself. There's no walk down the aisle, no first dance or rings. Instead, it's a couple dressed in wedding outfits (or not), choosing a location and dedicating a full day to capturing photos that often aren't possible on the wedding day.

On the wedding day, the photographer usually has very little time: 10–20 minutes for portraits, constant location changes, shifting light, stress, and tight schedules. A post-wedding or elopement shoot is the opposite. Full control, the best light, ideal conditions, no pressure.

This isn't just a love story shoot

Don't confuse a post-wedding session with a classic love story. Love story shoots are about a date, a walk in the city, casual romance. A post-wedding or elopement-style session is often done in wedding outfits, sometimes with decor or ideas that couldn't be done on the wedding day.

These sessions are different. They take more time, more attention to detail, more planning. And most importantly – no stress. The couple is calm and relaxed, and that really shows in the photos.

Why do people do it?

A post-wedding shoot is a chance to create images that weren't possible or didn't work out on the big day. Maybe the weather was bad. Maybe there wasn't enough time. Maybe it just wasn't the right moment because of stress, lack of sleep, or too many guests around.

It's also a way to relive the wedding mood – but without the pressure. The couple puts on the dress and suit again (or picks new outfits), goes to a beautiful location, and enjoys the moment together. No schedule, no guests, no rush.

It's a great option for couples who didn't have professional photography on the wedding day – because of budget, logistics, or anything else. Now there's a chance to get calm, beautiful photos that feel just as meaningful.

What types of sessions are possible?

Post-wedding photography isn't one fixed format. Each couple decides how they want to look and what kind of images matter to them. The styles can vary a lot.

The classic version is simple: the bride wears her dress again, the groom wears his suit. It's a chance to finally capture those moments that were missed on the wedding day, without stress or rush.

But the look can also be simplified – light wedding-style outfits. Instead of a big dress, a simple white one; instead of a formal suit, light pants or shorts and a linen shirt. It still feels festive and elegant, but more relaxed.

Some couples skip the wedding theme completely. They shoot in regular clothes, with no symbols or formal wear. These sessions are closer to a casual love story or honeymoon shoot – a different kind of project. It's not a couple session and not a wedding shoot. If you're looking for this type of style, check the other sections of the site where examples are grouped by category. That'll help you find the right inspiration.

One bold option is "trash the dress" – a creative shoot where the wedding dress can get wet, dirty, torn, or used as part of an artistic look. It's for those who want strong emotion, fun, and full freedom.

Some couples also use the chance to create scenes they couldn't do on the wedding day – like in a foggy forest, on the beach, with smoke bombs, at night in the city, or with pets. You're free to plan whatever you want, with no time or format limits.

Often, multiple styles are combined in one day. Starting in wedding outfits, then changing into something lighter or everyday. That way, the session captures different moods in one project – romance, playfulness, and intimacy.

Where is post-wedding photography popular?

This type of photo shoot exists in many countries, but how it's done depends on local traditions.

In Asia – especially Thailand, China, Korea, and Singapore – pre-wedding shoots are more common. Couples book studios in advance, prepare multiple looks and sets, and often do several sessions in different styles. On the wedding day, the photographer works minimally – the key images are already done.

In Europe, the US, and Ukraine, the approach is different. There's a tradition that the groom shouldn't see the bride in her dress before the ceremony, so most couples don't shoot before the wedding. But more and more couples now come back for a session after the event. It's calm, convenient, and makes it possible to capture photos that were impossible on the big day due to stress, weather, or timing. This is where the idea of an elopement shoot comes in – not just as an alternative, but as its own tradition.

For many couples, a post-wedding or elopement session isn't just a bonus – it's a full creative project, separate from the wedding itself. And that's why it matters: not as a repeat, but as a chance to make something truly personal.

This kind of shoot isn't for everyone. But if you like the idea of a calm, well-thought-out, visually strong post-wedding or elopement photo session – it's worth doing. It's a chance to pause, take a breath, and create photos not because you have to, but because you want to.