The Vibes and Styles of the Most Iconic Celebrity Wedding Photos

These shots live rent-free in our minds.
John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy Wedding and Hailey Bieber
Photo: © Denis Reggie 1996: Jose Villa
sarah hanlon entertainment and celebrity editor the knot
by
Sarah Hanlon
sarah hanlon entertainment and celebrity editor the knot
Sarah Hanlon
Entertainment & Celebrity Editor
  • Sarah is the Entertainment & Celebrity Editor for The Knot, with special focuses on pop culture and celebrity wedding news.
  • Before joining The Knot Worldwide, Sarah was a contributing writer for Bravo at NBC Universal.
  • Sarah has a degree in journalism and resides in New York City.
Updated Apr 11, 2024

Every so often, we see a celebrity wedding photo that stops us in our tracks and alters the course of our reality. No, seriously—we're not being dramatic. Celebrity weddings have the power to shape industry trends and inspire couples for decades to come. Whether you're a pop culture aficionado or you consider yourself to be chronically offline, we'll bet there's at least one celebrity wedding photo that sticks out in your mind. Maybe it's JFK. Jr. and Carolyn leaving their candle-lit chapel, or perhaps it's Nick and Priyanka walking up their aisle as her 75-foot veil trails in the wind.

After your wedding ends, your photos will encapsulate all the best memories and secret moments from the day, which is why it's essential to hire a photographer who can execute your vision. Plus, with so many wedding photography styles today, it's crucial to search for a pro who has expertise in your preferred aesthetic. (Psst: On The Knot Vendor Marketplace, you can actually filter by specific photography styles to find someone who specializes in that style.)

To help inspire you, we've rounded up 15 of the most iconic celebrity wedding photos, along with their style and vibe. Add these to your vision board, and be sure to tell your photographer so they can help you recreate these dreamy snaps.

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
Photo: © Denis Reggie 1996

Photo Style: Documentary

John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy dominated headlines in the 1990s as their glamorous romance captivated the world. Fans were desperate to catch a glimpse of their highly-anticipated wedding, but the notoriously private couple went to great lengths to keep their nuptials a secret. They exchanged vows off-the-grid on a remote island in Georgia, successfully evading unwanted paparazzi attention.

Their photographer, Denis Reggie, was tasked with documenting their intimate elopement—and one image in particular would go on to become one of the most iconic wedding photos of a celebrity couple, well, ever. In the documentary-style shot, which was plastered on the front pages of just about every newspaper and magazine at the time, JFK Jr. can be seen kissing Bessette's hand as they exit their wedding chapel. The natural, unstaged nature of the photo went on to popularize the candid trend couples still love today.

Reggie had one chance to take the photograph of a lifetime, which he detailed in an exclusive interview with The Knot in 2019. "To see Carolyn's expression, his bride… She is as caught off-guard as I was as their photographer when he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, as they're walking out of that simple but elegant, rustic setting, where love was really at the forefront," he explained. "Not grandeur, not fanciness… This was just love, full on, and center. I think it exudes that from every aspect of the image."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Royal Wedding
Photo: BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP/AFP | Getty Images

Photo Style: Photojournalistic

Like documentary-style wedding photos, photojournalistic images are candid pictures of spontaneous moments in action. While not technically staged, photographers who are skilled at this style know how to capture the fleeting unpredictability of planned moments, highlighting a few seconds of movement in time.

This wedding photo of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is one of our favorite examples of the photojournalistic style. While photographers knew the couple would be exiting the Windsor Castle chapel after their ceremony, this snapshot highlights a brief, intimate exchange between the newlyweds as they give each other a sly smile. Seconds later, they leaned in for a kiss, much to the delight of fans watching on the grounds and around the world.

Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge

Photo Style: Classic

Traditional-style photos are probably what come to mind when you think of wedding pictures. They're formal and somewhat staged, but still effortlessly beautiful and elegant. Even if you want to lean into blurry images or candid shots, there's a good chance your photographer will still have you and your spouse pose for a few traditional snaps throughout the day.

This wedding photo of Sofia Richie instantly became one of our all-time favorites in 2023. Captured by celebrity wedding photographer duo Norman and Blake, the traditional snap depicts Richie and her husband, Elliot Grainge, gazing lovingly at each other on the steps of their venue, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, in the South of France. With this aesthetic, photographers find a way to make an average moment look refined and polished, as seen here.

Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley

Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley
Photo: Bettmann / Contributor | Getty Images

Photo Style: Vintage

Whether you're swapping vows at a historic venue or you just love the vibe of old photography, the vintage aesthetic might be right up your alley. There are several ways your wedding photographer can achieve this style: some might use a film camera, while others may edit photos to have black and white or sepia coloring.

If you want true antique wedding photo inspiration, consider digging into the archive to find vintage celebrity wedding photos. In this iconic picture, Elvis Presley and his wife Priscilla can be seen slicing their six-tier wedding cake. The 1967 nuptials, which took place on the Las Vegas Strip, encapsulate everything we love about vintage wedding photos. The coloring is warm, the couple's attire shows off the charm of 1960s fashion, and you can simply tell it was taken a long time ago. It almost looks like a wedding picture you might find on your grandparents' living room mantle.

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III
Photo: Bettmann / Contributor | Getty Images

Photo Style: Documentary

Here's another example of a famous documentary-style wedding photo to add to your vision board. The marriage of actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III is perhaps one of the most recognizable weddings of all time. The ceremony took place on April 18, 1956, in Monaco, France. Over 600 people attended the event, while thousands more watched the televised special around the world.

There are plenty of memorable snaps from this famous wedding, but we love this one in particular. In the image, Kelly can be seen bowing her head during a religious prayer. The documentary-style photo shows off the ornate details of her custom wedding dress, which was created by MGM costume designer Helen Rose. The intimate nature of the angle almost makes it feel like you're next to the bride, taking in the ceremony by her side.

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra

Photo Style: Lifestyle

There's no denying that Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra had one of the buzziest celebrity weddings in recent years. The A-listers hosted multiple celebratory events throughout December 2018, including a handful of Indian ceremonies to honor the bride's heritage.

While we had no shortage of content from their fusion wedding, we'll never forget seeing this photo of the bride and groom's recessional for the first time. Celebrity photographer Jose Villa captured this dazzling celebrity wedding photo, which shows Jonas kissing his wife's hand as her 75-foot Ralph Lauren veil cascades behind them. In terms of photography styles, this snap can be considered a lifestyle photo. The aesthetic bridges the gap between a planned moment and spontaneity, resulting in an image that feels candid but not too posed.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana

Prince Charles and Princess Diana Royal Wedding
Photo: Serge Lemoine/Hulton Archive | Getty Images

Photo Style: Aerial

If your photographer has the ability, consider asking them to snap an aerial photo during your wedding day. Like the name suggests, this aesthetic shows off a birds-eye view of your event. While some pros might use a drone to get the perfect shot, others may move to the second floor of your venue or climb up on a ladder to capture your big day from above.

We love this aerial shot of Prince Charles and Princess Diana's royal wedding. It's estimated that 3,500 people attended the ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, and this elevated angle shows off the staggering magnitude of the venue and the guest list.

Beanie Feldstein and Bonnie Chance

Photo Style: Fine Art

Fine art photography is synonymous with bright colors and a light, airy vibe. It's generally softer than editorial- or documentary-style photos, with an emphasis on artistic lines. We can't help but associate this photo style with Beanie Feldstein's upstate New York wedding. The actress married Bonnie Chance at Cedar Lakes Estates in 2023, and the photos are, in a word, dreamy.

The soft colors of the rustic barn door allow Feldstein's elegant Gucci dress to stand out in this feminine snap, which feels both classic and timeless. Shot by Corbin Gurkin, a go-to photographer among A-list clientele, this is easily one of our favorite wedding photos of a celebrity.

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber

Photo Style: Editorial

Editorial-style wedding photos are exactly what they sound like: images that look like they came from a magazine shoot. This aesthetic is one of the most controlled on this list. Photographers shooting editorial-style wedding images have a hands-on approach, carefully manipulating the lighting and the background to create an image that's technically refined and elevated.

Take a look at this photo of Hailey Bieber on her wedding day. Seems like it could grace the glossy pages of a magazine spread, right? We have no doubt that her photographer, Jose Villa, went to great lengths to expertly frame and capture this stunning photo in the ceremony space.

Mick Jagger And Bianca Pérez-Mora Macías

Mick Jagger And Bianca Pérez-Mora Macías
Photo: Reg Lancaster/Daily Express/Hulton Archive | Getty Images

Photo Style: Photojournalistic

One of our favorite elements of photojournalistic wedding photos is that they feel like they belong in the history books. Such is the case for this image of Mick Jagger's wedding to Bianca Pérez-Mora Macías. The spur-of-the-moment vow swap took place in St. Tropez on May 12, 1971—and once fans caught word of what was going down, they swarmed city hall to catch a glimpse of the famous couple.

Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer

Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer walking down the aisle
Photo: Ernst Haas | Getty Images

Photo Style: Vintage

The best vintage wedding inspiration comes from vintage weddings. We're obsessed with this snap of Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer's Swiss wedding, which dates back to 1954. In this candid black and white shot, the newlyweds smile as they walk behind their ring bearer and flower girl. If you stare at it long enough, you can almost envision curled edges and splotches from years of being passed down through generations.

Naomi Biden and Peter Neal

Photo Style: Blurry/Modern

Naomi Biden, granddaughter of President Joe Biden, made history as one of 19 people to get married at the White House. She wed Peter Neal on the front lawn on November 19, 2022, and the photos were nothing short of elegant. Corbin Gurkin served as the photographer for this celebrity wedding, and the majority of the images can be considered a blend of traditional, documentary and fine art. That said, we'd be remiss not to include a blurry shot captured during the reception.

Popularized in recent years by young couples, blurry wedding photography (also called the "love drunk" aesthetic) has taken off thanks to social media. As the name suggests, this style has intentionally blurred edges to give your images a fun, unfussy look. This style captures a true moment in time, making you feel like you can recall the exact sequence of events that occurred while the photo was taken.

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham

Photo Style: Film

Although it's unclear exactly what medium was used to capture this photo of David and Victoria Beckham's wedding day, it looks like it was shot on a film camera. While film wedding photos have certainly seen a resurgence in recent years, the style has been around for decades—because film cameras paved the way for digital photography.

True film photography requires a specific type of camera that only has a limited number of frames, meaning each photo must be intentionally shot. Couples love film photos for their nostalgic feel, exactly like what you see in this iconic snap of Posh and Becks.

Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell

Photo Style: Editorial

Fact: We were speechless the first time we saw this dramatic photo of Lily Collins in her wedding dress. The actress donned a Robin Hood-esque ensemble by Ralph Lauren to marry Charlie McDowell in the Colorado mountains on September 4, 2021. Much like the photo from Hailey Bieber's wedding, this editorial shot is intentionally staged, yet elegantly poised. We love how the bride's photographers, husband and wife duo Nate and Megan Kantor of Cedar & Pines, expertly captured rays of sun streaming into the Western farmhouse, which perfectly illuminates the delicate lace patterns on her timeless dress.

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton

Photo Style: Flash

More couples have been leaving into the flash photography trend in recent years, partly because it's just so fun. Best captured at night (or in a dark venue), flash wedding photos highlight unplanned moments and boast sharp edges with bright highlights.

If you want to feel like a celeb on your wedding day, we *highly* recommend leaning into the flash photography style. This aesthetic gives off the effect of paparazzi bulbs, allowing you to live out your front-page fantasies.

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